The Role of Elections in Legitimizing Afghanistan

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Afghan Leader Said to Accept Runoff Contest.” It describes a decision by the current President of Aghanistan, Hamid Karzai, to accept a decision by the country’s election panel mandating a runoff election with his opponent, Abdullah Abdullah.

Such a result bodes well for the United States and our presence in the country. Despite all the debate about talking to dictatorships, e.g., North Korea and Iran, it still behooves our country to promote democracy throughout the world and to be on the right side of the people’s wishes.

The runoff election, though difficult, will probably result in Mr. Karzai’s re-election in any case, and it will legitimize his standing among the Afghan people. It will also provide the United States with a partner in peace and contrast with the violent ways of the Taliban.

Senator John Kerry appears to have played a key role in the outcome. The article notes he was in the country consulting with Mr. Karzai and apparently conveyed the message that we could not increase our troops to support a potentially illegitimate government. This decision on the number of troops seems to have provided the key leverage necessary for Mr. Karzai to aquiesce to a runoff election.