US mum on Afghan leader's running mate choice

[Coventina]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday declined to wade into an Afghan political morass over President Hamid Karzai's choice of a warlord and alleged rights abuser as running mate for August elections.

Diplomats in Kabul have alleged that Mohammad Qasim Fahim was involved in criminal activities, including kidnappings for ransom, and rights abuses during Afghanistan's decades of war.

But Washington, a strong backer of Karzai who is presently in the US capital to meet President Barack Obama on Wednesday as well as US congressional leaders, held its tongue over the pick.

"We do not believe it is helpful to comment on individual candidates as the election is for the Afghan people to decide," State Department spokeswoman Laura Tischler told AFP.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jooweuc2SzhzujE_PnA62OiQTPpw

[Politicalboi]

1. I didn't know

Sarah Palin could run in another country. :shrug: