InfoAnda - Analysis: With few options, US accepts Karzai

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

British minister says Europe allies 'nutty' | 25 December 2010
Aussie sisters set TV-viewing record | 17 June 2010
Failed Xmas attack raises new security concerns | 26 December 2009

The Artist wins big at London Critics' Circle awards | | 20 January 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Analysis: With few options, US accepts Karzai

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Analysis: With few options, US accepts Karzai By ROBERT H. REID,Associated Press Writer - Monday, November 2 Send IM Story Print KABUL – President Hamid Karzai's leadership is weak, his government corrupt and nearly a third of the votes he won in the August election were thrown out as fakes. But in the end, the Obama administration is likely to stick by the Afghan president. It has few other good options. Karzai is far from the strong and capable partner that Washington had hoped would emerge from the electoral process that it and Western allies had pushed for in Afghanistan. They hoped the elections would stabilize the country and bleed support from the Taliban. But the process effectively ended in turmoil Sunday, even as the war with the Taliban intensifies. Karzai's challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, bowed out only six days before a scheduled runoff, charging that no fair election was possible. Now the United States, barring other developments, must find a way to work with Karzai, who was widely favored to win the runoff anyway, and encourage him to embrace supporters of Abdullah and other groups opposed to the Taliban. Unless such groups are brought into the government, the Taliban are likely to grow in strength, capitalizing on widespread public discontent with the ineffectual government. "The government is more of a headache for us than the Taliban," said Ahmed Shah Lumar, a businessman in Kandahar in the south, who complains that development plans in his area gather dust waiting for government approval. Karzai enjoyed close ties with President George W. Bush's administration, which maneuvered him into power when the Taliban first collapsed in 2001. But he fell out of favor when Barack Obama took the White House. U.S. officials have since been openly critical of Karzai as a weak leader, beholden to warlords whom he cultivated as allies. Nevertheless, the Obama administration clearly concluded at some point that for all his faults, Karzai was the best it could get, given the ethnic and political realities of this impoverished country. "We are going to deal with the government that is there," White House presidential adviser David Axelrod. "And obviously there are issues we need to discuss, such as reducing the high level of corruption. These are issues we'll take up with President Karzai." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday that Abdullah's decision to quit the race would not undermine the legitimacy of a new Karzai administration. The runoff was called after U.N.-backed auditors confirmed massive fraud on behalf of Karzai in the first vote last August. Abdullah accused Karzai of using the resources of the government, including the election commission, to rig the vote _ although the auditors never backed up that charge. Clinton said that when Karzai accepted the runoff, "that bestowed legitimacy from that moment forward." She did not mention that Karzai agreed to the runoff only after strong American pressure, including marathon talks with Sen. John Kerry. Now the U.S. administration must deal for the next five years with an Afghan leader whom Obama once described as suffering from a "bunker mentality" and out of touch with his own country. "We are fed up with this government," said Kabul shopkeeper Shah Mohammad Husseini. "The situation is getting worse and worse and worse. I want a government that has the power to implement laws and doesn't deal with warlords." Nevertheless, the options among Afghanistan's pool of potential leaders are limited. Others such as Abdullah carry ethnic or historical baggage dating back to their roles in the civil war that devastated the country in the 1990s and led to the rise of the Taliban. Abdullah, a former foreign minister, is widely seen as the candidate of the northern Tajik community, which accounts for about 15 percent of Afghanistan's people. He was an ally of a late, legendary warlord beloved by fellow Tajiks but despised by the Pashtuns who are Afghanistan's majority _ because of the warlord's role in the civil war. Karzai named a different former Tajik warlord as his running mate to draw off Tajik votes. As for Pashtuns, Karzai, the son of a Pashtun tribal chief, has long held their support. That ethnic group makes up more than 40 percent of Afghanistan. Pashtuns also form the overwhelming majority of the Taliban, and the U.S. hopes to lure away moderate Taliban members. That difficult task would likely be impossible if Afghanistan was led by a Tajik. "If by chance Abdullah Abdullah won a runoff, that's the makings of a civil war in the country," said Thomas H. Johnson, the director of culture and conflict studies at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, in a recent interview with the Council on Foreign Relations. Meanwhile, Westernized Afghans such as Ashraf Ghani, who ran a distant fourth in August, have the skills to run a government but lack popular support. And none of the other Pashtuns in the race had the stature or resources of Karzai, who has effectively been in power since 2001. Some U.S. and U.N. officials have floated the idea of a broadbased coalition or unity government, bringing together supporters of Karzai, Abdullah and other public figures to stand against the Taliban. Western diplomats said the U.S. ambassador and U.N. mission chief held intensive talks with both sides on a power-sharing deal up to the last minute, when Abdullah pulled out. Karzai has expressed willingness to name former opponents to his Cabinet, but has resisted a formal coalition with shared powers. For many in Afghanistan, the idea of a coalition government brings back bitter memories of the civil war, when a governing alliance of anti-Soviet commanders fell apart, triggering four years of fighting among their factions that destroyed much of Kabul. "I don't support a coalition government because then the president would be weak," said Sadiq Khan Baryalai, a Pashtun merchant in Kandahar. "There would be more and more conspiracies and more and more trouble in the government," he said. "I want a strong government, a strong president, whoever it may be." ___ EDITORS NOTE _ Robert H. Reid is chief of bureau for The Associated Press in Kabul. Associated Press writers Noor Khan in Kandahar and Amir Shah in Kabul contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Pakistan's 'desperate' Uzbek fighters far from home AFP - Monday, November 2 Pakistan's capital now resembles besieged city AP - Monday, November 2 Protectionism a threat to recovery: Chinese official AFP - Monday, November 2 Afghan challenger drops out of runoff election AP - Monday, November 2 Acid ship 'sinks in China's Yangtze' AFP - Monday, November 2 News Search Top Stories Putin tells EU of risk to gas supply via Ukraine: reports Gulf single currency may face delay: bank chief Abdullah pulls out of Afghan run-off election ECB rates on hold, experts view bank loan policy Iceland lifts capital controls as crisis eases More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old US stocks slide ahead of Fed rate decision, jobless data Arise, Sir Dracula! Christopher Lee knighted Hamilton seizes pole in Abu Dhabi GP Iceland lifts capital controls as crisis eases More Most Viewed » Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents Huge dinosaur find in China 'may include new species' More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 2 November 2009
Ten killed as Iraq hit by new spate of bombings
Italian police arrest fugitive mafia brothers
Gulf single currency may face delay: bank chief
Sudanese register for first free vote in 24 years
Israel holds Jewish settler accused of killing Arabs
Honduran opposition leader key to ending conflict | International |
Iran police to confront "illegal" November 4 rallies
Kosovo hails ex-president Clinton, unveils his statue | International |
Dozens killed in Somali fighting: rights group | International |
Saudis find arms cache linked to August arrests
Sudanese register for first free vote in 24 years | International |
Frustrated in Iraq, U.S. troops eye Afghan action
Iraq polls 'at risk' without vote details
Obama community college proposal may not be enough
Med, nursing schools teaching alternative remedies
Analysis: With few options, US accepts Karzai
Govt says swine flu vaccine catching up to demand
Geithner: Economy rebounding, but job growth lags
Seattle police say officer killed in shooting
Pakistan's capital now resembles besieged city
White House: Afghan troop decision within weeks
Protectionism a threat to recovery: Chinese official
Afghan challenger drops out of runoff election
Limbaugh calls Obama 'immature, inexperienced'
Acid ship 'sinks in China's Yangtze'
Iran warns of crackdown on any opposition protest
Pakistan zeroes in on major Taliban bases
Flex spending accounts face hit in health overhaul
Thai police arrest two people in stock rumour probe
China stamp fetches record price
Pakistan hopes to rout Taliban by late December
S.Lanka seek to stop US quzzing general over war
Michael Jackson film dances to No. 1 worldwide | Entertainment |
Truck, pilgrim bus collide, killing 8 in Indonesia
Honor Student Shot Dead Outside Of Homecoming Football Game
Suspect In Baghdad Bombing Killed After Struggle With Interrogators
Temporary 9/11 Memorial set On Fire
Seattle Police Officer Shot And Killed
White House Releases Visitor's List
Police Launch Manhunt For Convicted Rapist After Six Bodies Found In Home
U.S. Troops To Be Stationed In Colombian Bases
Economic High Points And Low Points For Week
VIX Rises 20 Percent On U.S. Market Worries
Federal Investigation: Results In On Drywall Chemicals, But Implications Still Uncertain
Russian envoy says Miliband visit chance to 'reset' ties
Karzai rival Abdullah quits Afghan run-off | International |
British govt in new bailout to troubled banks: reports
US lender CIT files for bankruptcy
Iran wants U.N. fuel plan reviewed | International |
Israel delays expulsion of 1,200 children of foreign workers
At least 15 killed in Rawalpindi blast: police | International |
Kosovo hails ex-president Clinton, unveils statue in his honor | International |
Norwegian warship in sea-battle off Somali coast: EU
Employment turnaround likely at start of 2010: Geithner
Miliband in Russia to thaw ties
Putin tells EU of risk to gas supply via Ukraine: reports
Italian police arrest fugitive mafia brothers
Taiwan president safe after smoke pours from plane | International |
Boat with 40 people sinks near remote Cocos Islands | International |
Iran frees two Karoubi allies on bail: media | International |
Hawaii celebrates canonization of first saint
Texas vets reunite with Japanese-American rescuers
Bay Bridge won't be open for Monday morning drive
NH restaurant sets meatball record
Mexico reaches record of 100 extraditions to US
North Korea calls for direct talks with U.S
Rescue under way after boat sinks off Australia
New York City Marathon Sees First American Win In Two Decades
Afghan's Karzai effectively handed 2nd term
Pakistan security forces kill at least 7 militants
Police: NJ mom stabbed son, self over custody fear
Japan aims to bury greenhouse gas emissions
China vaccinates over 3.7 million for swine flu
Hundreds of foreign militants on run: Pakistan army
Boat with 40 people sinks near remote Cocos Islands
Philly transit talks postponed until Monday
Mexico extradites 11 fugitives to US
Over 20 feared dead as boat sinks off Australia
GOP ex-candidate endorses Democrat in NY race
Already the main Afghan war hub, Bagram is growing
Aliens target Earth again in "V" revival
No eternity with Marilyn Monroe as crypt auction fails again | Entertainment |
S.Korean display makers plan $6.9 bln capex in 2010
Scandal does not hurt David Letterman's ratings | Entertainment |
Mel Gibson and girlfriend welcome a baby girl: media | Entertainment |
Transsexual Miss World contest aims to boost awareness
New Zealand growth to quicken in H2
Seoul shares fall 1 pct; Hyosung up on Hynix news
S.Korea manufacturing growth slows in Oct
Jackson tragedy begets cinematic triumph | Entertainment |
S.Korea T-bonds rally on weak shares, U.S. woes
Berlin Wall resurrected in Los Angeles
Seoul shares open 2.4 pct lower on U.S. jitters
UK singer Cheryl Cole scores chart double
Calle 13, Luis Fonsi set for Latin Grammy awards
Jackson tragedy begets cinematic triumph
Aliens target Earth again in V revival | Entertainment |
Calle 13, Luis Fonsi set for Latin Grammy awards | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' thrills movie-goers
HBO filmmakers get inside Obama campaign
UK singer Cheryl Cole scores chart double | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson film dances to No. 1 worldwide
Qatari firm in talks to make Prophet Mohammad film
Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks, deepening doubts
S.Korea seeks Chinese help to track cyber attacks
Scientists map genome of pig
US-TECH Summary
Hit streaming service Spotify eyes U.S. music fans
Bomb blast in Pakistan's Rawalpindi kills 35 | International |
Nepal cabinet to meet on Everest: minister
Karadzic to appear in war crime court | International |
Global crisis hitting IT spending: Microsoft chief
Analysis: Iran in no hurry to cut nuclear deal
Karzai declared Afghan vote winner
Europe probe tracks global warming impact on water
Arab states disappointed with U.S.-Israeli talks | International |
Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks | International |
China slams U.S. for sending Uighurs to Palau | International |
Slumdog stars 'may lose allowance' for skipping school
Al Qaeda calls for home-made bomb attacks in West | International |
Civilian deaths in Iraq jump higher in October | International |
Recovering Thai king appears in public again | International |
Crisis has not halted migration hope of poor: Gallup | International |
Taiwan president safe following flight incident
Hit streaming service Spotify eyes U.S. music fans | Technology |
15 feared dead as boat sinks off Australia
Malaysia state helps jaded couples beat the blues
Scientists decode DNA of pig, a research favorite
Tribes claim wind farm would destroy sacred ritual
Obama to meet with economic board, Swedish PM
Massive fire blazes on leaking Australian oil rig
Murder trial to begin in Ark. TV anchor's death
Blast kills 35 in Pakistan's Rawalpindi
Audit: KBR must trim Iraq work force or face fines
Cheney FBI interview: 72 instances of can't recall
China protest halts Bangladesh Tibet exhibition
Bombing outside bank kills at least 20 in Pakistan
Focus falls on cause of collision off Calif. coast
Blast near Pakistan's capital kills at least 20
China chief says space arms inevitable: state media
Taxing the rich
Suicide bomber kills 34 outside Pakistan hotel
Health care plan hits rich with big tax increases
Trio of Japanese automakers lift forecasts
Shen Wei: Top China modern dance group takes time
Elton John aims for return to stage after illness | Entertainment |
Palestinian film, Team Qatar win Doha festival prizes
Bridgestone to quit F1 in late 2010
East of the Iron Curtain, humour helped society cope
Sands looks to raise $2.5B with Hong Kong IPO
Corruption dispute flares in Indonesia
Michael Jackson film dances to No. 1 worldwide | Entertainment |
Indonesian inflation up 2.57% in October
"Twilight" sequel soundtrack hopes to make killing
Twilight sequel soundtrack hopes to make killing | Entertainment |
China start-up stocks plunge on profit-taking
Military 'terps' head to war to win peace -- and visas
Arab filmmakers struggle for funds as industry grows | Entertainment |
Driver-less car in high-speed rally assault
Seoul shares fall 1.4 pct; Hyundai Motor tumbles
S.Korea c.bank to collect $1.2 bln in FX loans
Suzuki Motor profit down 63.4 pct in first half
Scandal does not hurt David Letterman's ratings
German child-care subsidy sparks nursery spat
Thai inflation rises for first time in 2009: govt
Indian Kashmir starts safaris as violence falls
No eternity with Marilyn Monroe as crypt auction fails again
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01