Abdullah Boycotting Afghan Runoff Presidential Election

What's New: Abdullah statements

By Robert Weller

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of the runoff presidential election in Afghanistan on Sunday because President Hamid KarzaiHamid Karzai refused to make changes to guarantee that the vote would not be marred by fraud like the first one.

Media outlets said Karzai rejected demands made by Abdullah to prevent the widespread fraud that cause the first vote to be thrown out by international observers. Abdullah said top election officials must be replaced.

"It was the right decision, and I did it in the best interests of this country," Abdullah told Al Jazeera. "As far as the process is concerned, hopefully there is a way forward. I will not enter into the constitutional implications of this decision."

He could call for an interim government with an election next spring, giving time to clean up the election process.

"Perhaps, after a sigh of relief, I will enter into this role with my followers, with my supporters, with the movement that has supported me for the past five months."Abdullah met with his advisers yesterday and was urged to withdraw.

For American officials the most immediate question will be whether to send more troops to fight for a regime that has no credibility. The Obama Administration, which demanded a new election because of massive fraud, now appears to be gearing up to defend Karzai. Two weeks ago it was pressing Karzai to allow a second election, now it says one isn't necessary.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton even noted that we have had elections that included boycotts that went forward successfully. Of course they probably had at least two candidates left on voting day.

It will be interesting to see if they can persuade U.S. Sen. John KerryJohn Kerry, a Vietnam veteran, to come on board. The whole world will know that Karzai was not fairly elected.

Several European allies have already said they will not send more troops unless a legitimate government is in place.

Meanwhile, the Times has reported that the CIA has been making regular payments to Karzai’s brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai.