Source: Abdullah may pull out of Afghan runoff

[bunnysoft]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091031/ap_on_re_us/un_un_a... ;_ylt=Aq48AQTwWUKf81clQVwO

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer


UNITED NATIONS – Talks between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah have broken down, and Abdullah is likely to pull out of next week's presidential runoff, a person with knowledge of the talks said Friday.

An announcement could come as early as Saturday but more likely Sunday, the person said.

Abdullah, who was once Karzai's foreign minister, put forward several conditions earlier this week for the Nov. 7 election to be credible, but intensive talks between the two candidates and their supporters over the past few days broke down Friday, the person, a Westerner, said on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.

The political stalemate in Kabul comes as President Barack Obama has been meeting with his advisers to try to determine U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, including troop levels. A weakened Afghan government will make it harder for Obama to get public support for his efforts.

Read more: AP

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I wouldn't waste my time either with an election board controlled by Karzai, whose brother is reportedly on the CIA payroll.

[Soylent Brice]

1. well, what do you expect when

you have to run for office against a guy who was placed there as a puppet by a repig dunce, and who also has a brother that's a fucking CIA operative.

fuck, i wouldn't run against him either.

my guess at what the 7 provisions were:

1. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
2. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
3. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
4. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
5. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
6. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.
7. if i (Abdullah Abdullah) win the election in the runoff, you (Karzai and "friends") promise to not have me assassinated.


on edit:
from the article...
"One of Abdullah's demands was to fire the head of the Karzai-appointed Independent Election Commission, Azizullah Lodin, within five days."

i believe Karzai has already stated he would not replace this guy earlier this week, so there goes that.

[Flaneur]

2. This is not good for the occupation.

Are the US and NATO going to be left propping up a crooked government with no legitimacy? This is fucked up.

[EFerrari]

9. Of course they are. That's how it was planned and that's how it's rolling out. n/t

[Vidar]

3. He values his life. What a surprise!

[PurityOfEssence]

7. No, no, no, no, no; he just wants to spend more time with his family...

...and needs to make sure it still exists tomorrow.

[New Dawn]

4. Abdullah is actually more bought off and inept than Karzai.

If one can even imagine that.

[excess_3]

5. welcome news, if he withdraws .nt

[unkachuck]

6. Barack, Barack....

....and Hamid, Hamid, say bye bye to Abdullah Abduallah and any pretense of legitimacy to the karzai stooge government....this is just more Kabulshit....still want to send more troops to Afghanistan and waste trillions? Is your healthcare that good?

....Are we still in Afghanistan? Why? Out of Afghanistan NOW!!

[EFerrari]

8. I agree with your assessment, bunnysoft. n/t