Karzai Rival Says Won't Join Afghan Government

Source: Reuters

Karzai Rival Says Won't Join Afghan Government


By REUTERS
Published: October 24, 2009
Filed at 1:19 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's rival in next month's run-off election, said he would not join Karzai's government if the incumbent won.

Asked in a CNN interview about comments by Karzai that he would welcome his rival in his government, Abdullah said he had "absolutely no interest in such a scenario."

Abdullah, a former foreign minister, said his intention in seeking the presidency was to bring change to the impoverished country, not to be "part of the same deteriorating situation."

Karzai is widely expected to win the second round largely due to his strong support base among fellow Pashtuns -- Afghanistan's largest ethnic group.

CNN reported some of Abdullah's comments and posted parts of the interview on its website on Saturday. It will broadcast the interview in full on Sunday.

Abdullah reiterated charges that the government had interfered in the first round vote in August.

If Karzai wins the November 7 vote "as a result of a transparent and credible process," Abdullah said, "I will be in the opposition pursuing the agenda for change."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/24/world/international-us-afghanistan-abdullah-cnn.html?_r=1

and there is no possible way a legitimate runoff election can even be held, in the present climate of violence.

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Obama AND McCain leading our country?