CSM - "Afghanistan election outcome: Karzai could face runoff."

I wondered why President Obama would even consider propping up President Karzai following a fraud filled election. If President Karzai took steps to marginalize Dr. Abdullah, then Karzai starts to resemble the Shah of Iran.

http://features.csmonitor.com/globalnews/2009/10/16/afghanistan-election-outcome-karzai-could-face-runoff/

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KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The talk in Kabul is about one number.

Sometime this weekend, the two election bodies running Afghanistan’s fraud-riddled presidential vote are expected to home in on a final percentage of votes won by President Hamid Karzai back in August – minus the funny business.

If his number dips below 50 – which appears increasingly possible – the Afghan Constitution calls for a runoff vote in two weeks.

But that’s just what the Constitution says. In practice, such a revote would almost certainly require more time, or could be skipped entirely if Mr. Karzai and his chief opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, strike a powersharing deal.

Such negotiations are already reportedly taking place, with a heavy dose of international prodding. This week, the ambassadors of the US, France, and the United Kingdom met with Dr. Abdullah.

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