Afghan dispute threatens to erupt

KABUL, Afghanistan — As Afghanistan’s disputed presidential vote nears an uncertain conclusion, fears are mounting that postelection unrest could threaten the fragile political order that the United States has struggled for 13 years to help build.

Recent developments have raised questions about the ability of Abdullah Abdullah — the onetime front-runner who has alleged a conspiracy to rig the results against him — to pacify supporters if he, as expected, is declared the runner-up.

The concern has increased as he has clashed with rival Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai over the details of a power-sharing proposal, brokered by the Obama administration, in which the new president would cede some decision-making authority to a chief executive from the opposing camp.

Last week, at an event commemorating the slain Afghan resistance commander Ahmed Shah Mas- soud, Abdullah had to calm angry supporters heckling a 92-year-old former president who endorsed Ahmadzai.

Two days later, a group massed outside United Nations offices carrying signs disparaging the chief U.N. diplomat in Afghanistan, who has overseen a controversial election recount. The protest prompted outrage from the world body.

One of Abdullah’s running mates, Mohammed Mohaqeq, said over the weekend that if a powersharing deal isn’t reached, or is seen as being too favorable to Ahmadzai, the Abdullah campaign might not be able to restrain dissatisfied backers.

“We will try our best to manage and control the people not to go the wrong way,” he said at his home in west Kabul. But, he said, “What the people’s reaction will be is unpredictable at this point.”

The candidates met Monday with outgoing President Hamid Karzai for more talks, still reportedly at odds over the authority to be held by a chief executive. Abdullah envisions the holder of the newly created post as having the power to appoint Cabinet ministers, including those responsible for security forces, but Ahmadzai believes the post should be advisory, its holder reporting to the president.

As talks have dragged on since Secretary of State John Kerry announced the plan in July, many Afghans have expressed fear that tension could explode into the streets.

Still, some analysts believe that the rival camps will try to avert major violence, if only to protect their considerable economic interests.