“I think that in the next days, the government of Afghanistan’s response to anticorruption efforts are a key test of its ability to regain the confidence of the.... American people [who] are prepared to support with hard-earned tax dollars and with most importantly, with the treasure of our country — the lives of young American men and women.... and say, ‘Hey, that’s something worth dying for.’ ’’
Related: How Do You Ask a Man to Be the Last to Die For a Lie, Senator?
He JUST TOLD US!
"Karzai’s shift on inquiries worries US; Move to control investigations raises concerns" by Karen DeYoung, Washington Post | August 8, 2010
WASHINGTON — Obama administration officials fear that a move by Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, to assert control over US-backed corruption investigations might provoke the biggest crisis in US-Afghanistan relations since last year’s fraud-tainted election and could further threaten congressional approval of billions of dollars in pending aid.
Yeah, sure it will.
The concerns were sparked by Karzai’s decision last week to order an investigation into two anti-corruption units that have been involved in the recent arrest of several senior government officials on graft and bribery allegations.
Karzai said the investigators, who have been aided by US law enforcement advisers, and wiretap technology, were acting outside the Afghan constitution....
There are growing worries that US public support for the war, already dwindling in the face of rising combat casualties and the increasing costs of the conflict, will diminish further if voters continue to see Karzai’s government as hopelessly corrupt.
It is NOT DWINDLING, it is GONE!
And if you think DYING for a "CLEAN" government is a WORTHY GOAL you guys are NUTS!!!
Corruption has also been identified in internal US analyses as the leading concern of Afghan citizens, above worries about security....
More than a year ago, the Obama administration sent scores of Treasury and Justice Department, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration officials to assist Afghan investigators in corruption inquiries.
Why are DOMESTIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES working in Afghanistan when we have UNSOLVED CRIMES HERE, taxpayers!!???
Although their work has led to several dozen arrests, a number of high-profile cases have been derailed amid ongoing reports that Afghan officials are sending pallets of cash abroad and are building mansions in Kabul and in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
Related: Afghan Exodus
Well, at least you KNOW WHERE your taxes are going, Americans.
With US analysts warning that increased US spending in Afghanistan will probably promote more corruption, the military has established its own task forces to investigate reports that money from defense contracts is being funneled to political power brokers, warlords and the Taliban.
But WHO CARES if YOUR TAX DOLLARS are being TOSSED AWAY, America!?
Related: U.S. Paying Taliban For Protection
Sure is a GOOD WAY to keep a WAR GOING!
Also see: The Boston Globe's Invisible Ink: False Flags Flying High in Afghanistan
Can you believe anything you read in the AmeriKan newspaper anymore?
--more--"
And what a surprise this next piece is, huh?
"Contractor targeted on Afghan charges
A US contractor managing more than $1 billion in reconstruction contracts in Afghanistan faces federal criminal and civil investigations of accusations that it overcharged the government for work, according to federal court documents. Prosecutors are focusing on whether the Louis Berger Group of Morristown, N.J., submitted inflated invoices. The company is leading a $1.4 billion project to build roads and power plants in Afghanistan."
That means they RIPPED YOU OFF, American taxpayers!
WASHINGTON — Senator John F. Kerry, one of the most stalwart backers of the US strategy in Afghanistan, said that Congress is growing increasingly concerned about corruption in that country and that he plans to raise the issue with President Hamid Karzai during a visit to Kabul this week.
Can you SMELL the STENCH of AmeriKan HYPOCRISY?
“The strongest message President Karzai could send is one that elevates the credibility of his government, and that he is to be viewed as a genuine reformer,’’ the Massachusetts Democrat said. “Right now, he is not.’’
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said growing congressional concern about the war is based far more on Afghan corruption and lack of effective governance than on the US military’s failure to make dramatic inroads.
The worries have been prompted by a series of congressional, military, and independent reports documenting graft and bribery at every level in Afghanistan.But when a WAR LOOTING WAR-PROFITEER submits a bill THEY just PAY IT!
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Related: The 'Freedom Flotilla' and UN Investigation: An open letter to Senator John Kerry
He doesn't care about American soldiers; why would he care about them?
Also see: What Do We Do With a Drunken Paper?
What an EMBARRASSMENT he is to MY STATE!
"Karzai must fight graft, Kerry says; Otherwise, could lose US backing" by Deb Riechmann, Associated Press | August 18, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — Senator John F. Kerry told the president of Afghanistan yesterday that his efforts to battle corruption are crucial if he wants to retain the support of US taxpayers at a time when more American troops are dying in the war.
He means the U.S. Congress because TAXPAYERS wanted a STOP PAYMENT on the checks LONG AGO!!!!!!!!
Kerry’s two meetings with President Hamid Karzai came at a time when US lawmakers are increasingly doubtful that the military effort can succeed without a serious campaign against bribery and graft that have eroded the Afghan people’s trust in their government.
Oh, the SAME PHENOMENA that has TAKEN HOLD HERE, American!!!!
“I think that in the next days, the government of Afghanistan’s response to anticorruption efforts are a key test of its ability to regain the confidence of the people and provide the kind of governance that the American people are prepared to support with hard-earned tax dollars and with most importantly, with the treasure of our country — the lives of young American men and women,’’ the Massachusetts Democrat told reporters.
“If we have knowledge of things that we know are happening and the [Afghan] government doesn’t respond to it, it’s going to be very, very difficult for us to look American families in the eye and say, ‘Hey, that’s something worth dying for.’ ’’
What a contemptible PoS!!
*******
Kerry said he believes Karzai knows the American public is tiring of the nearly nine-year-old war that has claimed the lives of more than 1,200 US servicemen and servicewomen....
No, we are not tiring of it.
We want it OVER RIGHT FRIKKIN' NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--more--"
Fat chance!
"Afghan president to eliminate private security companies; US, NATO leery of hasty action" by Joshua Partlow, Washington Post | August 17, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai intends to disband all private security companies in Afghanistan within four months, his spokesman said yesterday, a timetable that may be met with strong resistance from NATO forces who rely heavily on the companies to provide security to bases and convoys....
Yeah, HOW DARE HE!?
After all, it is only HIS COUNTRY and HIS "democratically-elected" government!!
Related: The OverBearing Government of Afghanistan
Oh, well, not really.
Presidential spokesman Waheed Omar did not provide details of how the order would be implemented.
That's because it will not be implemented.
This is all s*** fooleys for the public.
The announcement came as a surprise to US military officials who have recently begun a review of their security contracts in an attempt to address the widespread allegations that such guards are unaccountable and that their reckless behavior inflames public sentiment against foreign forces....
As the Taliban has spread through Afghanistan, violence has spiked and security has deteriorated. Because of the daily threats of working and traveling in the country, providing private armed guards has become a lucrative industry.
They escort NATO supply convoys, guard government buildings, and protect those involved in development projects.
Yeah, when we are NOT PAYING Taliban!
But they have developed a reputation as poorly trained, trigger-happy mercenaries operating outside the law and with little oversight....
Some reputations are deserved!
The US government employs about 26,000 armed guards, including 19,000 working with the US military, Brigadier General Margaret Boor said. The military has contracts with 37 licensed private security companies, of whom just under half are Afghan companies, as well as an unspecified number of nonlicensed companies, she said.
Yup, WAR is GOOD BIDNE$$ for $ome!!!!
“Since the Afghan army and the Afghan police are not quite at the stages of capability and capacity to provide all the security that’s needed, private security companies are filling a gap,’’ Boor said....
