Obama reaffirms support for Karzai as run-off is cancelled

0 Comments | Asian Political News, Nov 9, 2009

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 Kyodo

U.S. President Barack Obama voiced a firm confirmation of Hamid Karzai as the legitimate leader of Afghanistan Monday, following a weekend announcement by Karzai's challenger that he would not participate in Saturday's run-off election meant to erase doubts about the alleged widespread fraud in the August first round.

''Although the process was messy, I'm pleased to say that the final outcome was determined in accordance with Afghan law, which I think is very important not only for the international community that has so much invested in Afghan success, but most importantly it's important to the Afghan people,'' Obama said after speaking to Karzai by telephone.

Obama, who is still expected to announce a decision on sending U.S. troops to Afghanistan ''in the coming weeks,'' according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, did address the skepticism of Karzai's legitimacy and the concerns that his government is still rife with corruption.

Obama noted ''difficult years in which there has been some drift'' but said he believed the re-elected Afghan leader would move ''boldly and forcefully forward to take advantage of the international community's interest in his country.''

Karzai understands the ''importance of this moment,'' Obama said, but the U.S. president said he remained insistent that the proof will be in deeds, not words.

Gibbs, in his daily briefing with reporters earlier Monday, avoided directly stating whether the administration believed Karzai was ''credible'' and only repeated that the White House affirms the Afghan leader is ''legitimate.''

The White House spokesman added that the announcement of a final determination on the Afghan presidential election was only one question, among many, that needed to be answered before a troop decision would be made.