Karzai Asserts Control Over U.S.-Backed Anticorruption Units

[unhappycamper]

Karzai Asserts Control Over U.S.-Backed Anticorruption Units
AP/Huffington Post First Posted: 08- 4-10 11:36 PM | Updated: 08- 4-10 11:39 PM

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Upset by the recent arrest of a key adviser accused of taking a bribe, Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday sought to have more oversight over the work of a new anti-corruption task force.

The move comes as "a huge blow" to U.S. efforts to fight corruption in Afghanistan -- a stated top priority of Gen. David Petraeus -- a senior U.S. official tells the Wall Street Journal.

"What they're trying to do, what they're saying to us is: 'We don't care what you think. We've had enough,' " the official said.

Mohammad Zia Salehi, the head of administration for the Afghan National Security Council, was arrested last week and accused of accepting a car in exchange for his help in seeking the release of a suspect detained in another corruption case, said Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar, first deputy attorney general.

He said the attorney general's office has wiretaps of Salehi discussing the vehicle. "He tried to use his influence in different departments to free that guy any way possible," Faqiryar said.

[malaise]

1. K &R

added the link to your thread to my corruption one

[unhappycamper]

2. Thank you.

I'm sure we'll be seeing a flood of stories like this. :(

[malaise]

Time to bring the troops home

and end the fugging farce

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. If the Taliban get control again there won't be anti-corruption units

I suppose these units are a silver lining to our war there.

I'd rather there be no war but I'm not sure I want to see the country turned over to people who douse women with acid and cut off noses.

Karzai is as dirty as the day is long but he can be dealt with one way or another over time. At least with this jerk we can keep pushing for reform.

[malaise]

4. He hasn't been dealt with in nine fugging years

and don't forget who created the Taliban. Get the fuck out of Afghanistan.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. I not going to argue in favor of the war...because I can't

But even if we did create the Taliban that is no excuse to allow them free rein today. It's like saying, "You created this monster now walk away and let it eat people."

As a point of debate I don't think that's a very sound position.

I'm just saying if we did want to see Afghanistan changed for the better then obviously we would have more in-roads with groups dependent upon us for their survival than we would have with something as despicable as the Taliban.

Nonetheless, the second half of your statement, the one about getting out, that's the one that has the most appeal for me. I just want to be honest enough to confess that I'd be deeply troubled/saddened/anguished about walking away from the people who will be hurt when we leave.