Kai Eide: Abdullah’s withdrawal regrettable

Photo: www.acus.org

The United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, on Nov. 1 lamented the decision by Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah to withdraw from the runoff election, reports Monster and Critics

“It is regrettable that he has come to this decision,” the Norwegian diplomat told the NTB news agency in Oslo.

“I know that personally it involved much thought and discussion,” he said.

Eide has suggested that there is no guarantee that a second round of voting would not involve fraud.

The special envoy was criticized by his former deputy Peter Galbraith, who accused Eide of playing down allegations of electoral fraud. Galbraith was subsequently fired.

Source:  Monster and Critics