"Afghan officials said Mr. Ashdown had been rejected because of negative press and public reaction to his appointment, but diplomats said it had more to do with Mr. Karzai’s desire, one year before Afghan elections, to improve his image by standing up to Western powers. During a news conference at Mr. Karzai’s heavily fortified palace in Kabul, the three delicately danced around the Ashdown dispute. “I’m very, very sorry Mr. Ashdown could not begin his job,” Mr. Karzai said, portraying it as not his decision. “It’s a personal matter of unhappiness to me.”