[Peace-discuss] Diem in 1963? Thieu in 1967? Tet Offensive next?

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Mark Twain is supposed to have said, "History may not repeat itself, but it 
does rhyme." AfPak is different from Vietnam in a lot of ways, but American 
policy seems to be consistently nefarious.  --CGE]

	US envoy 'in angry Karzai talks'
	By Ian Pannell
	BBC News, Kabul

The US special envoy to Afghanistan has held an "explosive" meeting with Afghan 
President Hamid Karzai over the country's election, the BBC has learnt.

Richard Holbrooke raised concerns about ballot-stuffing and fraud, by a number 
of candidates' teams, sources say.

The US envoy also said a second-round run-off could make the election process 
more credible, the sources said.

Concerns have already been raised about Afghanistan's election, although final 
results are not due until September.

A number of senior sources have confirmed the details of a meeting between Mr 
Holbrooke and Mr Karzai held on 21 August, one day after the election.

The meeting was described as "explosive" and "a dramatic bust-up".

Mr Holbrooke is said to have twice raised the idea of holding a second round 
run-off because of concerns about the voting process.

He is believed to have complained about the use of fraud and ballot stuffing by 
some members of the president's campaign team, as well as other candidates.

Mr Karzai reacted very angrily and the meeting ended shortly afterwards, the 
sources said.

However, a spokeswoman for the US embassy in Kabul denied there had been any 
shouting or that Mr Holbrooke had stormed out.

She refused to discuss the details of the meeting.

A spokesman for the presidential palace denied the account of the conversation.

There have been many doubts raised about the Afghan presidential election, about 
the turnout and irregularities.

But this is the first time that a leading Western official has apparently 
expressed it quite so openly.

It will raise more questions about the credibility of the whole process and 
could well make the plan to establish a meaningful government in a stable 
country all the harder to achieve.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8225745.stm