World | Hamid Karzai Afghan President Threatens to Join the Taliban Under pressure, Karzai becomes increasingly erratic By Nick McMaster Posted Apr 5, 2010 4:44 PM CDT Copied Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks to locals during a shura, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Sunday April 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Golnar Motevalli, Pool) Hamid Karzai has told Afghan lawmakers he will join the Taliban if his western backers kept pushing him to reform. The legislators said the Afghan president's comments shouldn't be taken at face value—he was pandering to pro-Taliban members of parliament, and he seems unconcerned about losing western support. The remarks are characteristic of his increasingly erratic behavior as he struggles to maintain his grip on power. The Obama administration voiced disappointment with Karzai's outburst. "On behalf of the American people, we're frustrated with the remarks," Robert Gibbs said. Karzai told Afghan lawmakers that he explained his comments to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this weekend, the AP reports. Read These Next Online sleuths expose Epstein file redactions. Rob and Michele Reiner died within a minute of each other. The leader with the highest approval rating may be a surprise. Sean Combs' team files appeal, argues he should be released. Report an error