Hamid Karzai Agree To Runoff
President Hamid Karzai bowed to intense U.S. pressure and agreed Tuesday to a runoff election Nov. 7. With the fraud investigation completed, election officials must now scramble to organize a new ballot as the fierce Afghan winter approaches and the country faces a growing threat from Taliban insurgents. It has been 76 days since General McChrystal submitted his review to the administration requesting additional forces for Afghanistan. Sen. John Kerry and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said that the United States should not commit more troops to Afghanistan until Afghans sort through their political crisis. Emanuel said the most critical issue facing U.S. strategy is whether the Afghans can be an effective partner in destroying Al Qaeda safe havens and bringing stability to the region.
“It would be entirely irresponsible for the president of the United States to commit more troops to this country when we don’t even have an election finished and know who the president is and what kind of government we’re working with,” Kerry told CNN. This was the stalling for Obama remember his senate voting record, 130 present. Obama was backed against the decision wall and could decide on what to do. This election gave Obama more time to question Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the situation. Gates served with the Bush administration. General McChrystal said that thousands of additional troops were needed to achieve success in Afghanistan, Vice President Biden, wants to focus on Pakistan. These two has really confused Obama, that’s why he is undecided.
Karzai’s stole the presidential election through massive fraud. U.N. auditors stripped a third of the votes from Karzai. Karzai and his challenger, Abdullah Adbullah, have suggested they will not accept the official vote. Karzai did not express any regret over the widespread fraud, saying only that this is not the right time to discuss investigations. Karzai acknowledged the final results showing the need for a runoff according to the constitution of Afghanistan.
