Abdullah Quits Next Week’s Afghan Runoff Election: Say “No Deal” With Karsai

Sunday Afghan presidential challenger and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah quit next week’s election run-off accusing the government of not meeting his demand for a fair vote, leaving doubts over the legitimacy of the next government. He was expected to lose.

A weakened Afghan government under President Hamid Karzai is a blow to Obama as he continues to dither and delay a decision on sending additional U.S. troops to fight a resurgent and increasingly encouraged Taliban in Afghanistan.

Karzai’s ruled out a coalition with Abdullah, dashing hopes that it might have been a way out of the morass.

The November 7 vote would go ahead with both names on the ballot but with Karzai the only candidate. The runoff election was set after evidence of widespread fraud denied Karzai outright majorities win.

A spokesman for U.N. mission chief Kai Eide voiced doubt about the practicality of carrying on with the election.

“It’s difficult to see how there can be a run-off with only one candidate,” said spokesman Aleem Siddique.

Abdullah, an eye doctor and Karzai’s urbane former foreign minister, appeared to rule out any immediate chance of a power-sharing deal with Karzai in return for withdrawing, but also told his supporters not to boycott the run-off.

Abdullah teared up as he told hundreds of supporters, including white-bearded tribal elders, in a giant tent used for grand assemblies that he had reached the decision “in the interests of the nation.”

Karzai had been favorite to win the run-off after getting more votes in an August 20 first round that was marred by widespread fraud. His campaign team also said the run-off would go ahead.

The Taliban vowed to disrupt the run-off threating to kill anyone who defied them to cast a vote. The Taliban said Abdullah’s withdrawal made no difference.

Obama met his top military leaders on Friday as part of a strategic review on a war he staked claim to during his campaign and vowed to “win” but, since has delayed and changed direction repeatedly.

“It is a shocking failure of efforts by the West and other international communities to build a democracy in Afghanistan,” said Norine MacDonald, president of policy research group The International Council on Security and Development.

He called for the election to be postponed and reorganized in a manner that would yield a legitimate government and allow the Afghan people to participate effectively in a legitimate election. No one seems certain exactly what that would mean or even look like.  

A strong Afghan government that Obama views as legitimate is central to the U.S. strategy to quell rising Taliban violence. Obama has already delayed the decision on the strategy and on sending extra troops to await the election result.

Increasingly diminished U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday a decision by Abdullah to pull out would not affect the vote’s legitimacy.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Abdullah’s decision was carefully considered and that he looked forward to working with an inclusive government.

“I am confident that Afghanistan’s leaders will support the remaining steps of the democratic process,” Brown said in a statement.

Analysts and diplomats suggest a deal was made with Abdullah, perhaps in return for a top post in Karzai’s next government, as a way to spare the country further political squabbling that discredits the government and can only aid the insurgency.

The run-off decision that was triggered when a U.N.-led investigation found widespread fraud, mainly in favor of Karzai, had been committed during the first round now looks like little more than mutual masturbation.