Abdullah (the french candidate) may pull out of Afghan runoff – CBS 21 News
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Talks between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah have broken down, and Abdullah may pull out of next week’s presidential runoff, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.
An announcement could come as early as Saturday or, possibly, Sunday, the person said. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The two candidates and their supporters held intensive discussions over the past few days and Abdullah, a former foreign minister, put forward some conditions for the Nov. 7th election to be credible, the person said.
Abdullah has sought a power-sharing agreement ahead of fresh balloting, but Karzai insisted on a vote and then a power-sharing agreement, the source said.
I have just posted a brief argument that the US Government might have orchastrated Abdullah’s retreat and the cancellation of the runoff. If you’re interested, http://euandus3.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/duplicity-in-international-affairs-subterranean-deals-made/