That apparent contradiction may be part of a calculated strategy of ambiguity to pressure Mr. Karzai into negotiating a coalition government with his presidential rivals rather than take his chances on a second round of elections in which he is likely to be painted as the candidate who cheated his way into office the first time.
Mr. Karzai's main rival, Mr. Abdullah, has been careful to leave the door open to such talks, though he insists Mr. Karzai should make the first move. No one knows what such a coalition would look like, but some U.S. officials say there's at least a chance any government that emerged from such a brokered deal might be accepted by the Afghan people as a credible alternative to new elections.
Right now that's mostly just speculation. So in the meantime, the U.S. and its partners need to gear up for the scheduled elections next month and make sure the resources are there to ensure that they are as free and fair as possible - not an easy task when both the coming of winter and the Taliban insurgency threaten to interfere.
