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Obama intervention fails to break political deadlock in Afghanistan Obama intervention fails to break political deadlock in Afghanistan
(35 minutes later)
KABUL — Afghanistan’s political crisis deepened Monday as one of the presidential challengers insisted he was the rightful winner and pledged to block his rival from taking power through “fraudulent results.”KABUL — Afghanistan’s political crisis deepened Monday as one of the presidential challengers insisted he was the rightful winner and pledged to block his rival from taking power through “fraudulent results.”
The declaration by Abdullah Abdullah could unravel a U.S.-brokered plan for a power-sharing government following the June runoff voting and potentially tip the country toward greater unrest as NATO-led forces prepare to withdraw at the end of the year.The declaration by Abdullah Abdullah could unravel a U.S.-brokered plan for a power-sharing government following the June runoff voting and potentially tip the country toward greater unrest as NATO-led forces prepare to withdraw at the end of the year.
It also was a direct slap at President Obama’s outreach in recent days to Abdullah and rival Ashraf Ghani to keep alive prospects for a unity government to succeed President Hamid Karzai.It also was a direct slap at President Obama’s outreach in recent days to Abdullah and rival Ashraf Ghani to keep alive prospects for a unity government to succeed President Hamid Karzai.
A prolonged political standoff could complicate plans to keep up to 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan in 2015 after most other NATO forces pull out.A prolonged political standoff could complicate plans to keep up to 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan in 2015 after most other NATO forces pull out.
Speaking in a national televised address, Abdullah said the American compromise plan had reached a “deadlock.” He said he will not accept an ongoing recount of the June runoff, which are expected to show that Ghani prevailed. Speaking in a national televised address, Abdullah said the American compromise plan had reached a “deadlock.” He added that he will not accept an ongoing recount of the June runoff, which are expected to show that Ghani prevailed.
“We are the winner of the election based on the clean votes of the people,” said Abdullah, claiming that election was plagued by widespread fraud. “Fraud, fraudulent results and the announcement of the fraudulent results are not acceptable.”“We are the winner of the election based on the clean votes of the people,” said Abdullah, claiming that election was plagued by widespread fraud. “Fraud, fraudulent results and the announcement of the fraudulent results are not acceptable.”
Abdullah said his backers would take steps to block Ghani being declared the winner. But Abdullah also urged followers to remain peaceful, saying he will not lose “patience” — suggesting there could be still some room for a deal.Abdullah said his backers would take steps to block Ghani being declared the winner. But Abdullah also urged followers to remain peaceful, saying he will not lose “patience” — suggesting there could be still some room for a deal.
Ghani and Abdullah have been locked in a weeks-long struggle over the outcome of the election. A meeting early Monday failed to reach an agreement, raising the possibility that Abdullah could perhaps move to form a parallel government. Ghani and Abdullah have been locked in a weeks-long struggle over the outcome of the election. A meeting early Monday failed to reach an agreement, raising the possibility that Abdullah could perhaps move to form a parallel administration.
Daoud Sultanzoy, a top aide to Ghani, said Ghani is prepared to assume power unilaterally if Abdullah fully abandons the political bargaining. In response, Daoud Sultanzoy, a top aide to Ghani, said Ghani is prepared to assume power unilaterally if Abdullah fully abandons the political bargaining.
“This is not about a spoiled group that wants to keep a grip on power,” said Sultanzoy, noting the stalemate is hurting the economy. “This is about the people of this country, and we are cognizant about this and won’t be reckless.”“This is not about a spoiled group that wants to keep a grip on power,” said Sultanzoy, noting the stalemate is hurting the economy. “This is about the people of this country, and we are cognizant about this and won’t be reckless.”
Abdullah, a former foreign secretary, finished first in a field of eight candidates in the initial round of voting in April but fell short of a majority, necessitating a June runoff with former finance minister Ghani, who finished second. Abdullah, a former foreign secretary, finished first in a field of eight candidates in the initial round of voting in April but fell short of a majority. That led to a June runoff with former finance minister Ghani, who finished second.
Ghani prevailed in the runoff with a more than 1 million vote lead.Ghani prevailed in the runoff with a more than 1 million vote lead.
Abdullah protested the results, alleging widespread fraud. Last month, amid concerns that Abdullah’s followers could revolt, Secretary of State John F. Kerry rushed to Kabul and brokered a deal between the two candidates. Abdullah protested the results, alleging widespread fraud. Last month, Secretary of State John F. Kerry rushed to Kabul and brokered a deal between the two candidates.
The agreement called for a recount as well as power sharing between the two candidates once the results of the audit were known.The agreement called for a recount as well as power sharing between the two candidates once the results of the audit were known.
Two weeks ago, however, Abdullah withdrew from the recount because he did not feel it was comprehensive enough.Two weeks ago, however, Abdullah withdrew from the recount because he did not feel it was comprehensive enough.
U.S. officials had remained optimistic that Abdullah and Ghani could still finalize plans to share power. The Kerry agreement envisioned one candidate serving as president and the other in a newly-created position of chief executive. U.S. officials had remained optimistic that Abdullah and Ghani could still reach an accord. The Kerry agreement envisioned one candidate serving as president and the other in a newly created position of chief executive.
But the two campaigns have been unable to agree on which leader would chair the all-important cabinet meeting. There was also disagreement about whether the audited election results should be released at all when they are finalized, which is expected later this week. But the two campaigns have been unable to agree on which leader would chair the all-important cabinet meetings. There was also disagreement about whether the audited election results should be released at all when they are finalized, which is expected later this week.
Concerns about violence are heightened by an apparent split among voters along ethnic lines.Concerns about violence are heightened by an apparent split among voters along ethnic lines.
Abdullah is a top aide to legendary Afghan guerrilla commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives two days before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Abdullah is a top aide to legendary Afghan guerrilla commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives two days before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Abdullah’s mother is of Tajik descent and his father was Pashtun, but Abdullah appeared to receive most of his support from predominantly Tajik areas of northern Afghanistan, where Massoud, his late mentor and an ethnic Tajik, was especially revered.Abdullah’s mother is of Tajik descent and his father was Pashtun, but Abdullah appeared to receive most of his support from predominantly Tajik areas of northern Afghanistan, where Massoud, his late mentor and an ethnic Tajik, was especially revered.
Ghani, who is Pashtun, received his greatest support among Pashtuns, Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group.Ghani, who is Pashtun, received his greatest support among Pashtuns, Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group.
Tuesday is a public holiday when Afghanistan marks the day that Massoud was assassinated. The day typically involves rallies, but some fear they could turn into protests in support of Abdullah.Tuesday is a public holiday when Afghanistan marks the day that Massoud was assassinated. The day typically involves rallies, but some fear they could turn into protests in support of Abdullah.
Sharif Hassan contributed to this report. Many embassies and international aid organizations are expected to be on a heightened state-of-alert. But Abdullah stressed that he expects his supporters to remain calm.
“Political issues have a solution,” Abdullah said. “Don’t mix the commemoration of martyrs with the political issues.”
Sharif Hassan and Sayed Salahuddin contributed to this report.