Lonely at the Top

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 By TIM MCGIRK/KABUL

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Fighting the Taliban and running the fragile government have clearly taken a toll on Karzai's health. He looks a decade older than 44, and when he is fatigued, his facial muscles twitch. Born in Kandahar and educated in India, Karzai is the scion of a noble Pashtun clan. He glides easily between the traditional and the modern worlds. He relishes sparring with tribal visitors, who come grumbling about their local rivals or demanding special attention. It's like the court of a traditional Afghan chieftain. Everyone has his say, but Karzai, with humor but firmness, imposes his will.

Kabul has become a favorite stopover for foreign dignitaries and assorted publicity seekers, and Karzai has to receive them all. On a recent weekday, the main attraction is General Richard Myers, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Karzai wants American help in building up a national army. International firepower, he argues, is the best way to answer the warlords. Myers offers U.S. help in training a "nucleus" of 600 Afghan troops. Karzai expresses gratitude but says, "The cost of the U.S. not staying committed is too high." If the Americans leave, he adds, "Afghanistan could slide back into lawlessness and anarchy."

The Muslim holiday of Eid dawns in Kabul, but Karzai won't be spending time with his family. His 28-year-old wife, an Afghan doctor, is still living in the Pakistan town of Quetta. Karzai jokes that she is staying put until he finds a decent place to live. Colleagues say he is concerned about her security and that of friends. "Imagine that once you had to live in a jungle full of wild beasts," he says. "Afterward, it takes a while to stop thinking that those beasts are still out there." Many Afghans are convinced that fearsome creatures are still stalking outside Karzai's palace gates.