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AFGHANISTAN

Karzai promises to end corruption

KABUL | Afghanistan's president welcomed his new term - achieved after his main opponent withdrew from a runoff election - by reaching out to opponents Tuesday and promising to banish the corruption that has undermined his administration.

Hamid Karzai spoke a day after being declared victor of an election so marred by fraud that it took 2 1/2 months, and intense international pressure, to resolve. His main opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, said when he dropped out of the planned runoff that he was withdrawing because it could not be free or fair.

Mr. Karzai said in a speech that he wants people from every part of the country in his government, including political opponents. But he never mentioned Mr. Abdullah by name.

Mr. Karzai acknowledged that Afghanistan "has a bad name from corruption," adding that "we will do our best through all possible means to eliminate this dark stain from our clothes."

MYANMAR

U.S. officials hold talks in policy shift

YANGON | The United States began a new policy of engagement with Myanmar's ruling military junta on Tuesday, sending two senior diplomats for the highest-level visit in more than a decade.

Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, and his deputy, Scot Marciel, held talks with junta officials and also were to meet detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Mei said.