Afghan power-sharing deal ruled out

By Robert H Reid, Kabul

Monday, October 26, 2009

PRESIDENT Hamid Karzai and his challenger ruled out a power-sharing deal before Afghanistan’s November 7 runoff, saying the second round of balloting must be held as planned to bolster democracy in this war-ravaged country.

Some Obama administration officials had said the US would be receptive to a deal to avoid another disruptive election if Karzai and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah agreed. However, both Afghan candidates said yesterday they were committed to a second-round vote, despite the hugesecurity and logistical challenges and the threat of Taliban attacks against voters.

"It has to be held. I made sure to have agreement from all the international players before agreeing to a runoff to have a second round absolutely surely agreed upon and promised," Karzai said on CNN’s "Fareed Zakaria_GPS" programme.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Abdullah was asked if he was interested in a deal to avoid a runoff.

"No, I think I should rule it out because I’m ready to go for a runoff."

US President Barack Obama’s administration is hoping the runoff will produce a legitimate government after ballot-rigging sullied the first-round vote. Another flawed election would cast doubt on the wisdom of sending tens of thousands more US troops to back a weak government tainted by fraud.

Last Tuesday, Karzai bowed to intense international pressure and agreed to a runoff, after a UN-backed panel voided enough of his votes in the August 20 election that he fell below the 50% threshold for a first-round win in the 36-candidate race.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, October 26, 2009