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ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN (Secretary General of NATO): Today the world has been watching Afghanistan. We have witnessed the first Afghan-led elections in 30 years; a testimony to the determination of the Afghan people to build democracy.
I want to congratulate the people of Afghanistan for the courage they have shown in spite of challenging circumstances. We have seen Afghans defying threats of intimidation and violence to exercise their democratic rights, and I would like to say that seen from a security point of view the elections today have been a success.
Not least, thanks to the efforts by the Afghan National Security Forces. They have led the security effort and they should be applauded. They have done everything possible to make these elections as secure and as inclusive as possible. So, all in all, the elections today have been conducted effectively.
Q: Secretary General, there are some questions about both the credibility and, of course, the apparently low turnout must be something that worries you.
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN: Well, I think it's premature to say anything about the turnout. We do not have the figures yet, so let's see. The most important thing is that the elections will be considered credible in the eyes of the Afghan people.
Q: Are you confident that will be the case?
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN: I think so. So far so good. The elections today have been conducted effectively, and seen from a security point of view, I think the situation today has been better than expected.
Q: There has been recent violence. Do you feel confident that the violence will die down after the elections; that it's only connected to the elections? And that we will see more security after this election provided that it is conducted peacefully?
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN: Well, we knew in advance that the enemies of Afghanistan would try to block the road towards the elections through a series of terror attacks, so that's not a surprise.
However, I think, as I said before, seen from a security point of view, the situation today has been much better than we could have expected. What will happen in the coming days and weeks no one knows. But I would urge all presidential candidates to handle the outcome of the elections in a responsible manner, whatever might be the outcome.
Q: A short last question on other parties that might come to power, or have increased power following these elections. Are you worried about them not sharing NATO's view on how to proceed? Or that there will be difficulties in cooperating with possible new parties?
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN: Well, recently I visited Afghanistan and I had an opportunity to meet, not only the president, but also the leading presidential candidates, and all of them assured me of their willingness to cooperate after the elections and embark on a reconciliation process. Which I think is the way forward.