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Karzai Delays Afghan Vote

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Los Angeles Times

Published: March 8, 2009

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that he would agree to postpone the presidential election until August, bowing to pressure from election officials and Afghanistan's international backers who do not believe that fair and safe polls can be held by spring.

In accepting the date proposed by the independent election commission, Karzai appeared to resolve a dispute that has thrown Afghanistan's political transition into turmoil and raised doubts about the stability of this fragile, insurgent-plagued democracy.

But the president left unclear what should happen after his term expires in May. He declined to clarify whether he would seek to remain in power until the election and whether he would seek re-election after seven years in power.

"I am willing to accept either the constitution or a national consensus," he said while appearing to dismiss suggestions for an interim government, saying it was not envisioned in the constitution. "If I continue in office, it should be legal. If it is not legal, my term ends."

The constitution says that elections must be held before the president's term expires, but there is agreement among Afghans and the country's international backers that shortfalls in security, money and preparations make it impossible to hold credible polls until late summer or early fall.

Karzai's opponents have accepted the postponement but say he should step down in May and establish a temporary government until August.

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