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Karzai joins the band of terrible
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by YankeeJim | October 25, 2010 at 05:15 am
138 views | 4 Recommendations | 10 comments
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“Karzai says his office gets cash from Iran, USBy RAHIM FAIEZ
The Associated Press
Monday, October 25, 2010; 8:50 AMKABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that once or twice a yearIran gives his office $700,000 to $975,000 for official presidential expenses - and that Washington also provides "bags of money" because his office lacks funds.
Karzai's comments come a day after The New York Times reported that Iran was giving bags of cash to the Afghan president's chief of staff, Umar Daudzai, to buy his loyalty and promote Iranian interests in Afghanistan.
The Times quoted unnamed sources as saying that the cash amounted to a slush fund that Karzai and Daudzai had used to pay Afghan lawmakers, tribal elders - and even Taliban commanders - to secure their loyalty.
Karzai told reporters Monday that he had instructed Daudzai, a former Afghan ambassador to Iran, to accept the money from Tehran. "It is official and by my order," Karzai said.
He said several nations have given money to his office - the first being the United Arab Emirates, which provided $1.5 million nine years ago when Afghanistan's interim government was formed.
"That was a big help and we submitted all the money to the central bank and we were paying for the daily expenses of the government," Karzai said. "After that, a number of other countries helped us in the same way."
Karzai did not offer details about how the money was spent, saying only that it was used to "help the presidential office" and to "dispense assistance" to certain individuals.
"This is transparent. This is something that I've even discussed while I was at Camp David with President Bush," he said, referring to meetings he had with former President George W. Bush at the U.S. presidential retreat outside Washington.”
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YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (10)
at 06:24 on October 25th, 2010
Like many have sad, this war we were involved in was for naught
at 08:22 on October 25th, 2010
Karzai knew well that uneasy lies the head in Afghanistan which wears American crown.But Talibani offence,or offence against Taliban by imperial troops won't diminish chances of making good money from various quarters.Afghans have lost,Nato forces have lost in Afghan gamble;the only winners are Hamid Karzai and his immediate family members.
at 08:47 on October 25th, 2010
For one brief shining moment.
at 09:32 on October 25th, 2010
What is wrong with Iran giving financial support to the government of Afghanistan? The sooner Afghanistan gets on it's feet, the sooner the 2 plus million refugees in Iran can go home.
at 13:15 on October 25th, 2010
Good one
at 13:20 on October 25th, 2010
Who are the Afghan afraid of most. U.S./Nato or Taliban? Who has the courage of their convictions. U.S. or Taliban? Afghan know U.S. public will bail on them. Like U.S. has bailed out on everyone if they don't have immediate success. Afghans know American public's attention span is about as long as a 30 sec. commercial. That's why their taking everything with both hands now from all sides. Taliban know this and exploit it. Even going as far to give the people religious justification. "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'The example of a Mujahid [Muslim fighter] in Allah's Cause - and Allah knows best who really strives in His Cause - is like a person who fasts and prays without ever stopping. Allah guarantees that He will admit the Mujahid in His Cause into Paradise if he is killed, otherwise He will return him to his home safely with rewards and war booty." - Bukhari. Selling U.S/Nato supplies on black market or destroying supplies going to U.S/Nato troops is not a crime or an immoral act and is forgiven during war with the infidel and those who have befriended the non-believer.
at 16:01 on October 27th, 2010
They are afraid on the ones left behind.
at 16:45 on October 25th, 2010
Major portion of the aid to the Afghan governmnt is pocketed by Karzai and family.The days are not far ahead when Karzai may have to travel on a refugee passport like Reza Shah Pehalvi of Iran,at one point of time,the most powerful monarch and most trusted stooge of U.S.Empire.
at 03:31 on October 26th, 2010
Wonder to where he will try to flee. I would not want to live in that neighborhood because of all of the drone noise.
at 09:43 on October 26th, 2010
Most probably,to Iran.Venezuela or North Korea.YJ,your neighbour would be safe,and so would be Karzai.