Galbraith Denies Promoting Plan To Remove Karzai

by Michele Kelemen, NPR

Peter Galbraith, who was the No. 2 United Nations diplomat in Afghanistan earlier this year, tried to have President Hamid Karzai removed from office, according to U.N. officials cited in The New York Times. The move came after widespread allegations of fraud in the elections that kept Karzai in office. Karzai was reportedly incensed when he learned about Galbraith's plan. The U.S. government was, and is, strongly opposed to any effort to remove Karzai by extra-constitutional means. Galbraith, who has been fired, denies that he actively promoted the plan, while acknowledging that he did discuss it.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, December 17, 2009