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Karzai Working on Deals With Challengers

Power-sharing agreement may be in the works

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2009 4:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Afghanistan election has turned into such a mess that President Hamid Karzai is discussing some kind of partnership with at least two of his challengers, the Wall Street Journal reports. His camp and that of top challenger Abdullah Abdullah are talking through third parties, while Karzai also has reached out to fourth-place finisher Ashraf Ghani.

The news comes as Afghan's election body declared that Karzai won 55% of the final vote—enough to avoid a runoff, in theory—but it will take another month or so to work through all the fraud allegations. Details of the talks between Karzai and the other candidates are scant. But a spokesman for Abdullah says he's willing to enter a power-sharing agreement if Karzai agrees to one that is "serious and substantial."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (2)]

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seen in Kabul Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Ahmad Masood, Pool)

An Afghan cycles past an election poster of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

In this Aug. 20, 2009, file photo, Afghan incumbent President Hamid Karzai holds up his finger, inked purple after casting his election ballot, as he meets with the press in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)

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If there's some kind of deal that promotes domestic peace, that's a reasonable alternative. Not the ideal one, but a reasonable one.
- A senior western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity

We welcome any opportunity to work with Dr. Abdullah or Dr. Ghani.
- Wahid Omar, spokesman for Hamid Karzai

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Karzai Working on Deals With Challengers