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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Karzai Allies Get Tough on Recount

Afghan president's team blasts UN-backed election body

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(Newser) – Hamid Karzai's camp is signaling he may not accept the results of a recount from Afghanistan's presidential election, sowing further doubt about the country's future. A spokesman said the recount process had been "politically manipulated," and Karzai allies spent the weekend criticizing the UN-backed electoral commission that is counting the votes. Yesterday, thousands of black-clad Karzai supporters marched near Kandahar, decrying "foreign interference" in the election.

After reports of widespread fraud favoring Karzai, new results could bring his total below 50% and set up a runoff with Abdullah Abdullah. But if Karzai refuses to accept the electoral commission's ruling, it could further undermine both the credibility of the Afghan government and NATO countries' war plans. Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, was in Kabul for negotiations yesterday and said he was "concerned—not everybody is ready to accept the results."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Kabul yesterday. He urged Afghanistan's political rivals to accept the findings of a fraud investigation that could trigger an electoral runoff.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Kabul yesterday. He urged Afghanistan's political rivals to accept the findings of a fraud investigation that could trigger an electoral runoff.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
A defaced and torn election poster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009.
A defaced and torn election poster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
US Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, shakes hand with an Afghan youth at a bazaar during his visiting to Garmser district of Helmand province, Oct. 18, 2009.
US Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, shakes hand with an Afghan youth at a bazaar during his visiting to Garmser district of Helmand province, Oct. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Abdul Khaleq)
Torn and defaced election posters of Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009.
Torn and defaced election posters of Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
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The foreigners are trying to push a second round, and we are not going to participate. They don't respect our votes. Despite threats that the Taliban will cut off our nose and ears we 9voted). We won't do so again. - Supporter of Hamid Karzai

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4 comments
VIEWING:
 
Reader64481089
Oct 19, 09 6:37 AM CDT
Oh yea, send more troops here. I see an instant replay of how America created what they now have in Iran. Identical..................................and didn't that turn out so great!...... Reply
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divetrader
Oct 19, 09 7:13 AM CDT
Has there ever been a situation where the populace has allowed themselves to be ruled by a puppet? Karzai's days appear to be numbered. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Oct 19, 09 8:31 AM CDT
Puppet? If he were our puppet, I think he'd be whistling a different tune now. We may have put him in, but he's there and thumbing his nose at us now.
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+1
RogerMohajir
Oct 19, 09 12:24 PM CDT
Enough, already. The elections were a farce, and we occupy the country. We supply whatever degree of security there is and virtually 100% of the non-poppy GDP. We can decide who "runs" the place, and its time to do so. If Karzai doesn't want to take part in a coalition including Abdullah and representatives from the other ethnic groups, it's time he got a room at Bagram prison for an indefinite stay -- he could split a double with his drug-dealing brother. Reply
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