* Karzai argues first round was "clean" * Promises inclusive government WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai said on Friday he believed August's election was largely "clean" despite broad claims of fraud and he had agreed to a Nov. 7 run-off solely for his country's stability. In an interview with CNN, set to be broadcast on Sunday, the incumbent president also promised to have an inclusive government but did not offer specific details on how he might do that if he wins the second round, as expected. Karzai conceded there had been "some mistakes" in the August presidential poll but said this was not why he had agreed to a run-off against his main challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah. "The election as a whole was clean, and as a result was clear. I decided for peace, for stability, and for the future of democracy in Afghanistan and for the future of institutional order in Afghanistan to call for a run-off, and I find that in the interest of the Afghan people," Karzai said. Karzai had initially refused to agree to a second round but came under strong pressure from the United States and others to either agree to a run-off or accept a power-sharing deal with Abdullah. Asked whether he was prepared to have a unity government with Abdullah, Karzai said he wanted his government to be "inclusive". "If he wants to come and work in my government, he is most welcome. I'm known for consensus and building it and for inclusivity, and that's a good trademark," said Karzai. A RELIABLE PARTNER Pressed on U.S. criticism over his style of government and whether he could be a "credible" partner to work with, Karzai was defensive, asking CNN interviewer Fareed Zakaria whether the West had been reliable in its approach to Afghanistan. "Have we received the commitments that we were given? Have we been treated like a partner? How do we define a partnership?" he asked. "Partnership is not a one-way street. It's a two-way street and it has to have both sides respect each other. As poor as we may be in Afghanistan, as in need as we may be in Afghanistan, but we are still a country, a people, a history, and we do matter," added Karzai. The Obama administration is reviewing its strategy in Afghanistan, including whether to send an additional 40,000 troops to fight the war. Karzai said he agreed with suggestions to send at least 40,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, provided that they offered protection for the people in Afghanistan. Asked whether he feared more troops would deepen a sense of "occupation" of his country, Karzai said this was a legitimate concern. "It must not be a capture and kill pursuit of the Taliban. It must be one that provides protection to the country, and must also lead to the enhancement of the abilities of the Afghan military and security forces. Therefore they have to come as liberators as they did in 2002 and not otherwise," he said, speaking of the U.S.-led force that ousted the Taliban from power in 2001 and 2002. (For more on Afghanistan, click on [ID:nAFPAK] and [ID:nSP469126]) (Reporting by Sue Pleming, editing by Philip Barbara)
Workers carry sacks of flour to distribute among internally displaced people fleeing a military offensive in South Waziristan at a camp on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan, located in Pakistan's ...
