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Ashdown pulls out of Afghan envoy consideration

Paddy Ashdown withdraws from race to be United Nations envoy to AfghanistanPaddy Ashdown withdraws from race to be United Nations envoy to Afghanistan

Sunday, 27, Jan 2008 12:00

Paddy Ashdown has withdrawn himself from consideration for the United Nations' envoy to Afghanistan, the UK peer has revealed.

The former Liberal Democrat leader said he had written to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon to explain his decision.

Kabul has already said it would prefer Nato deputy commander in Europe General John McColl to take up the role.

Lord Ashdown, who previously served as the UN's high representative and European Union's special envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in a statement: "This job can only be done successfully on the basis of a consensus within the international community and the clear support of the government of Afghanistan.

"It is clear to me that, in Afghanistan at least, the support necessary to do the job effectively does not exist."

For this story in depth and more on Asian world news visit inthenews.co.uk, also part of the Adfero news network.

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