RFE/RL: President Karzai, what is your reaction to the decision by Abdullah Abdullah, who said earlier today that he’s withdrawing from the November 7 race?

President Hamid Karzai: I heard the comments by our brother Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. I would have been happy if he would have participated in the election. It would have been to the benefit of all of us. In any case, he is free to make up his own mind.