Kharzi and JK have news conference - there will be a run off

[karynnj]

Afghanistan will hold a deciding round of its problem-hit presidential election on 7 November, officials say.

The run-off will take place between President Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah.

The news comes a day after a UN-backed panel said it had clear evidence of fraud in August's first round, lowering Mr Karzai's vote share below 50%

Mr Karzai told a news conference that he accepted the findings, adding they were a "step forward" for democacy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8316487.stm

It is amazing that Kharzi actually publicly accepted that there was fraud. UN envoy Kai Eide and Senator John Kerry were with him. Kerry called it a great opportunity and turning point.

Kerry's comment:

KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John Kerry said on Tuesday that the November 7 run-off in Afghanistan's presidential election would be difficult, but praised incumbent Hamid Karzai's endorsement of the vote.

"The international community is committed to carry out this election ... and to make the runoff a success," he told a news conference in Kabul alongside Karzai after hours of talks.

"We know it will be difficult and require sacrifice. But we are committed to this effort," he said. Kerry said Karzai had shown "great leadership with his decision.".

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE59J2QP20091020

[karynnj]

1. Here's an article with Obama's planned comments

I welcome President Karzai's statement today accepting the Independent Electoral Commission's certification of the August 20 election results, and agreeing to participate in a second round of the election. This is an important step forward in ensuring a credible process for the Afghan people which results in a government that reflects their will.

While this election could have remained unresolved to the detriment of the country, President Karzai's constructive actions established an important precedent for Afghanistan's new democracy. The Afghan Constitution and laws are strengthened by President Karzai's decision, which is in the best interests of the Afghan people.

I congratulate the Afghan people on the patience and resilience they have shown throughout this long election process. Given Afghanistan's recent history, it is extraordinary that they were able to overcome threats and violence to express their democratic right to choose their leader. Insecurity in the country prevented some Afghans from voting, but it is a testimony to the bravery of the Afghan people that so many of them did come out to vote in the first round under tremendously difficult circumstances.

I commend both the Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission for carrying out their mandates. Throughout this process, the United States has been interested above all in the strength and independence of those institutions, and the need for them to fulfill their mandate on behalf of all Afghans.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/10/620000140/1

[karynnj]

3. Fantastic video of Kerry and Kharzi at the press conference

Kerry is fantastic in describing the importance. http://www.necn.com/Boston/World/2009/10/20/Afghan-President-Embraces/1256044515.html

(His comments here are better than anyone else's - no contest and no, I'm not biased :) .)

[Luftmensch067]

4. Just watched

Thanks for the link! I giggled a little when JK (I think it was him?) asked if the interpreter's mike was on -- he seems to always be very conscious about that in Senate hearings, too -- makes me wonder if he's secretly an A/V nerd! LOL! Actually, what really struck me was his faultless courtesy. This is an admirable quality, but it is much, much more. For 8 years, America was represented by bullying boors and arrogant ignoramuses. And it seems to me that the world grew more rude and violent. I've probably said it here before, but I truly think that America sets an example for the world, maybe just because we have such a huge media footprint, or we're so visible? I don't know, but I truly felt that our own stolen elections and flouting of the rule of law, our illegal wars and countenance of torture presaged a growth in such behavior worldwide.

Our new president is setting an example of transparency and tolerance, capability and respect for freedom and justice; so are many in his administration. But JK embodies these tenets and qualities like no one else. Watching Karzai look at him in this news clip, I can see how JK could do what few others might have. JK practices what he preaches, he holds himself to the same standard of civility and productive energy that he asks of others. He truly believes in doing what's right just because it's the right thing to do and will move the world forward in a better direction. And that is the truest kind of currency, the kind that will always be of value, everywhere in the world.

Watching JK in this clip, I really believe that he is in the right position at the right time. As president, he could have and would have done so much good, but I sometimes worry that he might have had a Gordon Brown presidency, trying to do what needed to be done, but with so little support from the media and his own party that he couldn't accomplish what he was capable of. As Secretary of State, he would be unparalleled, but under constant attack from an ignorant media or the enemies who've been around since Nixon. As Chair of the SFRC, he can do something like this, make a real difference, actually save the day and still push in the Senate for all the other things he cares about. I'm so proud of what he's done today!

[YvonneCa]

6. This is a beautiful comment. I completely agree...

...about the example our country sets and the harshness promoted by the last administration during the past eight years. I hope you'll consider posting this in GD or GDP, as appropriate.;)

:hi:

[karynnj]

7. I posted it in GD-P

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8707912

[YvonneCa]

9. It's on MSNBC...

...now...

[karynnj]

11. WOW

It is nice that it is being covered.

[YvonneCa]

13. Isn't it? And how many years have we...

...waited? :7

[karynnj]

12. I second that - it is a wonderful comment nt

[beachmom]

2. Wow, Kerry saved the day. Holbrooke should shout less.

And, of course, there are probably scores of diplomats who put everything together to prepare for this trip.

One obstacle has been removed. Still, now U.S. troops have to provide security for that runoff election. That is the next obstacle.

[TayTay]

5. Complete aside, but something you might like

I remember that Hamid Karzai is a Red Sox fan, a holdover from some academic time he had a while ago in Boston. I can't help thinking that someone finally said to him, "Okay Hamid, I talked to the Red Sox and you can throw out that first pitch at Fenway you wanted so much next year."

I know, I know, I am silly. But it was this little thought in the back of my mind, that I just thought I would share. Stranger things than this have happened in foreign policy, after all.

Back to serious mode in a while. I am actually basking in this moment and the climate change article for a bit. It is rare to get a victory, incredibly rare to get 2 in one day. I'm savoring it.

[YvonneCa]

8. As you should...

...;)

[karynnj]

10. I wondered what devious method the Senator used - I didn't think of the Red Soxs!

It is amazing to be having these two victories in the same month or so.

Although are you sure the Boston Herald story of today won't be "The Senate is in session and Kerry is off on TV in Afghanistan" and Ed O'Reilly's view isn't that he would have done those things and got Conrad and Baucus and the Republicans on Finance to drop their silly ideas and support House bill 767?

You and MA have every right to savor this moment. The people of MA deserve enormous credit for originally supporting him when he was not the favorite because you saw the promise.

[TayTay]

14. LOL! The Herald will never be satisfied.

Karzai wanted to throw out a pitch at Fenway, http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/7936596/from/RL.2/ I probably remember this because it struck me as a, "Really? He does?" moment. Too charmingly odd to forget.

Well, somebody recently said that all politics is not only local but personal. Who knows, it's a maybe. LOL!

[YvonneCa]

15. There's been a huge need to break down walls...

...and find our 'common humanity' (to use Bill C's words). Sometimes it probably looks like a more simple solution is to drop a bomb...but the military solution creates other problems. GWB was a simple-minded guy. I'm so glad he's no longer in charge...and that the guys who are are intelligent enough to see the complexities of our problems.

[karynnj]

16. Well, your Senator does have Red Soxs connections

and maybe Kerry remembered too - who knows.

[blm]

18. heheh....that really WOULDN'T be unusual...that's the way most guys are wired.

Thanks for the extra insight.

[wisteria]

17. I am just in awe of Senator Kerry and what he has been able to accomplish.

I always considered Karzai to be a good man and it was disheartening to see how this election has played out. I am pleased that he appears to have come around to the right side.