Helargelyrefrained from criticizingKarzaiand tended to speak inplatitudesabout the need for peace and reconciliation, government responsiveness and popular power.
The recession certainly hurt levels of social inclusion overall, but while political and civil rights remain high, the extremely low popular sense of governmentresponsiveness dragged down their score.
According to a study by the Council of the Americas of countries in Latin America, of which the U.S. was included in at least half of the variables involved, the U.S. usually reaches the top 3 except on one issue, governmentresponsiveness.
Energy minister John Hayes denied the government was being complacent, saying he was confident that its approach, combined with the responsiveness of the market, would provide secure supplies.