Afghanistan poll thrown into chaos as Karzai’s rival says: I won’t stand

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009
November 2, 2009

by Nasra Ismail in Kabul, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla

Supporters of Abdullah Abdullah arriving at the rally where he said he would not be taking part in the election run-off IMAGE :1 of 3 Jeremy Page and Jerome Starkey in Kabul

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RECOMMEND? (7) President Karzai’s opponent withdrew from Afghanistan’s presidential election yesterday, conceding defeat six days before a planned run-off but threatening to undermine the legitimacy of a new government. Abdullah Abdullah stopped short of calling for his supporters to boycott Saturday’s vote and urged them not to take to the streets in protest, leaving a window open for a power-sharing deal that UN and American officials are trying to broker. His decision still threw the process into confusion, with election officials insisting that the run-off should go ahead with only one candidate, while Western diplomats pressed for it to be cancelled because of the risk of a low turnout and Taleban attacks. The move appeared to be designed to increase international pressure on Mr Karzai to strike a deal with Dr Abdullah as the only way to achieve a credible result from Afghanistan’s two-month election crisis. RELATED LINKS

• We must force political change, or fail

• Boycott or withdrawal? Difference is huge

• Analysis: Karzai will struggle for credibility

Dr Abdullah announced his withdrawal at a meeting of several hundred supporters, including tribal elders and former Mujahidin commanders, mostly from the ethnic Tajik-dominated north of Afghanistan. “In order to look God in the eye at this historic moment, I have made a decision,” he told the meeting in a giant tent in Kabul. “In protest against the illegal actions of the Government and the electoral commission, I will not participate in the run-off,” he said, prompting cheers from the audience. “It hasn’t been easy for me to make this decision,” he said, his voice faltering, and his eyes welling with tears. Asked later whether he was asking his supporters to boycott the vote, Dr Abdullah told reporters: “I have not made that call.” Dr Abdullah’s campaign team had threatened to boycott the run-off after Mr Karzai refused to meet several “minimum conditions” to prevent fraud, including sacking the election chief and suspending three ministers, by October 31. A total boycott would have challenged the legitimacy of the entire process, which the United States and its allies are desperately hoping will produce a credible government with which they can work to defeat the Taleban. It might also have prompted Dr Abdullah’s supporters to come on to the streets in protests that could easily become violent, and split the country between the Tajiks in the north and the ethnic Pashtuns in the south, who mostly support Mr Karzai. Dr Abdullah therefore came under huge international pressure in the past few days to withdraw gracefully without challenging the legitimacy of the election — in exchange for a power-sharing deal with President Karzai. Kai EideKai Eide, the UN chief in Afghanistan, and Karl Eikenberry, the US Ambassador, almost brokered a deal yesterday morning whereby the two men would have divided up ministries and provincial governorships, diplomats said. “They were so close to a deal, but at the last minute something happened,” one diplomat said. “As an olive branch to the internationals, Abdullah didn’t boycott.” At a news conference after his speech, Dr Abdullah admitted meeting President Karzai on Wednesday, but denied having struck a deal. “This is my decision. This has not been made in exchange for anything with anybody,” he said. He conceded, however, that the door was still open for negotiations with Mr Karzai. Western officials publicly welcomed his decision to withdraw, rather than boycott, describing it as “statesmanlike”. Gordon BrownGordon Brown said that Dr Abdullah had pulled out “in the interests of national unity”. Mr Brown also said that he had spoken with Mr Karzai by telephone yesterday and the President had told him that he wanted to issue a “unity manifesto” for the Afghan people. “The issue for me is what is to happen to Afghanistan in the future, given that our soldiers have contributed so much to the development of Afghan society,” Mr Brown said. “What is going to happen is we have got to have a visible sign that the new administration is tackling corruption.” David AxelrodDavid Axelrod, President Obama’s senior adviser, suggested Dr Abdullah’s announcement was motivated more by common sense than despair. “I thought that his remarks today were rather moderate,” Mr Axelrod said. “He left open as to whether his supporters should participate in the process, and he is establishing himself as a leader of the Opposition.” Mr Axelrod added that Dr Abdullah knew from polls that he was almost certain to be defeated, and that Washington was facing up to the same reality. “We are going to deal with the Government that is there,” he said. “Obviously there are issues we need to discuss, such as reducing the high level of corruption. These are issues we’ll take up with President Karzai.” Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, paid tribute to Dr Abdullah’s “dignified and constructive” campaign. “We hope that he will continue to stay engaged in the national dialogue and work on behalf of the security and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan,” she said. Behind the scenes, Western diplomats continued their efforts to broker a deal that would allow the run-off to be cancelled. Mr Karzai’s office said that he “regretted” Dr Abdullah’s decision, but would abide by any ruling on the run-off from the Independent Election Commission or the courts.

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World Citizen wrote: This has nothing to do with a refusal to participate in a fraudulent election, but everything to do with attempting to save face by refusing to participate in an election in which he has no chance at all of winning. November 1, 2009 8:18 PM GMT RECOMMEND? William Legge wrote: Corruption in Politics is not the preserve of Western Democracies - the West has a good track record in supporting two bit dictators and Oil Rich Autocrats - whom it has to said may well know better the "ways" of their territories.

How much more precious blood has to be spilled before the West pulls the plug on Karzai or eve realises the futility of it all.
and his tribal fiefdom?
November 1, 2009 7:43 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (4) Aldous Huxley wrote: Oh fgs leave these petty corrupt little men to their games.
Enough lives,money and effort has been wasted on them.
Karzai is no more than a feudal warlord in reality with limited power in an limited area.
The man we are supporting is no more interested in democracy than the men we defend him against. November 1, 2009 7:09 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (5) lance notalot wrote: It appears that no one is interested in "democracy" in Afghanistan, except the West.

Let them lead their own lives.
November 1, 2009 7:06 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (2) Hamadl Lone wrote: The right thing to do. The elections have shown to be seriously flawed, yet our governments keep trying to paint a rosy picture. November 1, 2009 6:53 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (2) Sergio Ravanini wrote: How was it possible to conceive such a complicated electoral process in a country such as Afghanistan where there is no reliable authority in a position to implement it? November 1, 2009 5:58 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (3) Andre Terglane wrote: As usual Ansiar, its the USA who are the King makers "It needs monarchy like middle-east countries. Apparently, Afganistan is just on the way to it", see Karzai's brother on the CIA payroll. They will make a mess of this too, just like the fundamentalist elements the US supported against the Soviet Union - it will all come back to haunt the West November 1, 2009 4:35 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (3) hidden hidden wrote: Large number of forigen forces and intelegence agencies are persuing the interest of their politicions in Afghanistan like USA, UK, KSA, Pakistan,India, Iran and Russia they are major state players where as another strong force is drug dealers. The only possible solution is pull all troops and agencies from there and educate afghans and develop afghanistan through their own people which have settled abroad and now are able to contribute to their nation by bringing social changes. This is going to be a very slow process but in the long run it will bring results. November 1, 2009 3:50 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (3) Colin Houlding wrote: This is a Gordon Brown style election - only one candidate. What's wrong with that? November 1, 2009 3:43 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (2) Kevin Sullivan wrote: Perhaps we should follow Dr Abdullah's lead, and, also pull out! November 1, 2009 2:56 PM GMT RECOMMEND? (11) 1 2 3 >> Last HAVE YOUR SAY Would you like to post a comment? Please register or log in Login

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POSTED BY BIODUNIGINLA AT 11:09 PM LABELS: AFGANISTAN, BBC BIODUN IGINLA