[Quqnoos] The French Foreign Minister in a surprise visit to Kabul said he wonders why it is impossible to reach a post-election consensus in Afghanistan
Bernard Kouchner's two day visit to Kabul parallels an increase in disputes over the 20 August Afghan election that provoked concerns in and outside Afghanistan. After landing in Kabul International Airport on Saturday, Minister Kouchner met his Afghan counterpart, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, in the Foreign Ministry, discussing several issues, including counter-terrorism.
Mr Kouchner's trip is "in the context of tension provoked by the expectation of the proclamation of the electoral results that have been delayed for a long time", the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"I have been involved in all your crises," Kouchner told Afghan journalists in Kabul, "As it is a particular crisis now, we want to understand why it not possible to get to electoral consensus after the election."
Mr Kouchner's comment of "working together" parallels rumours that the international community is trying to form a coalition government between President Hamid Karzai and his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah.
Afghanistan's 20 August election was marred by allegations of widespread fraud and intimidation.
"It is a common responsibility not to allow Afghanistan get unstable," Minister Spanta said as the election outcome provoked serious rows in the country. "The Independent Election Commission and Electoral Complaints Commission should be allowed to finish their work," he added.
According to the preliminary results, incumbent Karzai has won 55 per cent of the tallied votes and his main rival Abdullah received 28 per cent.
Not that the constant remarks about fraud and corruption are making the citizenry question their government and the voting process or anything.
Which country had the last honest election in that region?
#1 Well Obama's dithering on Afghanistan will result in one thing at least: sheer panic in the capitals of Europe. Looks good on them.
If the US is going to walk away from the "necessary war" over some political corruption in the allies, then he leaves all of Europe completely exposed to the same pressures only faced by Poland and the Czechs. He is giving in to the Taliban, and by proxy AlQaida; He will never stand up to Russia and by proxy, Iran.
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