Afghanistan hits back at Western critics over aid

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

KABUL, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan hit back at Western criticism of official corruption on Sunday, saying some 80 percent of international aid was outside government control so donors should be held to account.

As U.S. President Barack Obama makes Afghanistan his foreign policy priority, President Hamid Karzai's government has come under increased Western criticism for corruption, poor governance and not arresting the king-pins behind the booming drugs trade.

Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta said the criticism was "not fair" as the government had no say over how 80 percent of the billions of dollars of foreign aid was spent. "Sometimes, we are accused of crimes we have not committed," Spanta told a news conference.

"When we have received 20 percent of the foreign aid, then it is better to be asked about that. The problem is that we are asked about the whole of the 100 percent, while we are unaware of the 80 percent," he said.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSISL67553._CH_.2400