Karzai suggests oversight of anti-corruption work

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Karzai suggests oversight of anti-corruption work
By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer
Aug 6, 5:26 AM EDT

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- U.S. officials are waiting to see if the Afghan government will attempt to impede corruption probes of high-ranking officials - concern that comes as a new report issued in Washington questioned the Afghan administration's ability to fight graft and bribery that are undermining the war against the Taliban.

The possibility that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will place restraints on the operations of two anti-corruption units set up with help from U.S. law enforcement officials heightens already growing tension between the U.S. and the Afghan government, which is seeking more control over the billions of foreign dollars being poured in to foster reconstruction.

Corruption and a weak court system have undermined public trust in Karzai's government and its efforts to win the loyalty of many Afghans away from the Taliban.

Soon after a key Karzai adviser was arrested last week for allegedly taking a bribe, the Afghan president sought more oversight of the work of the two U.S.-backed anti-corruption units, the Major Crimes Task Force and the Sensitive Investigative Unit. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation helps train employees of the two units who conduct corruption probes of high-level Afghan government officials and then feed cases to Afghan prosecutors.

Mohammad Zia Salehi, head of administration for the Afghan National Security Council, is accused of accepting a car in exchange for his help in exerting pressure on Afghan officials to ease off 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.