Kabul: The main rival for the Afghan
presidency on Saturday said the United Nations` credibility had been
"seriously damaged" by claims of bias levelled at the world
body`s special envoy in Kabul.
Abdullah Abdullah said there were "serious
questions" about the role played by Kai Eide, a Norwegian, in
the August 20 election, which has been marred by accusations
of widespread fraud.
This week Eide`s sacked former deputy, veteran US
diplomat Peter Galbraith, accused his ex-boss of blocking the
release of details of "very extensive" voter fraud.
Abdullah said Eide`s actions gave the impression he
supported Karzai, although the presidential candidate stopped
short of calling for the envoy`s resignation or dismissal.
"In normal circumstances accusations, claims and
challenges as such by a senior UN official will call for an
internal UN investigation. That has not happened," Abdullah
told reporters.
"But as far as I am concerned, in my mind I have no
doubt that it has seriously damaged the UN`s credibility in
Afghanistan.
"The UN`s role has been respected all the time by
most of the parties -- I don`t include the Taliban -- in the
country. But at this critical stage, the decision will be
decided either by fraud or by the rule of law. "At this stage,
a biased attitude is not acceptable."
Bureau Report
