U.N. mission chief denies Afghan fraud cover-up
KABUL (Reuters) – The head of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan denied accusations on Sunday that he had helped cover up election fraud, and said he still believed a result could be reached that Afghans would find credible.
In strongly-worded remarks at a news conference, Kai Eide said allegations by a U.S. diplomat who was fired as his deputy were false and undermined the election process.
Eide appeared at the news conference flanked by the U.S., British and French ambassadors, which he said was an "expression of international unity in the work that we are doing."
A final result is expected within days in the August 20 vote, held up for weeks by an investigation after a U.N.-backed watchdog found "clear and convincing evidence of fraud."
"That's been a difficult process. It's been marred, not least, as you know, by widespread fraud," Eide said. He added it was up to the watchdog to determine the extent of the cheating.
Investigators would still "be able to remove fraudulent votes and honor valid votes," he said. "When the result is being certified it will be a result that is being made on a solid basis, and it should be accepted by the Afghan people."
The Electoral Complaints Commission will announce results of the fraud investigation later this week, either confirming President Hamid Karzai as the victor, or -- if a large share of Karzai's votes are found to be fraudulent -- ordering a run-off.
The final weeks of the process have been overshadowed by a feud between Eide, a veteran Norwegian diplomat, and his American former deputy, Peter Galbraith, who was fired after complaining that Eide turned a blind eye toward fraud.
