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Karzai a viable partner for the U.S.?

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | November 20, 2009 at 03:51 am

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Plagued by accusations of fraud and ballot stuffing during the recent Afghan election, President Hamid Karzai was not seen as a viable partner for peace and cooperation in Afghanistan,

The US Administration and European Allies issued warning to Karzai that the corruption in Afghanistan must be stopped. Much of this corruption was seen as originating from his regime.

Yesterday Hamid Karzai was sworn in for his second term. A US delegation lead by Secretary of State attended the ceremonies.

According to anonymous insiders apparently the rhetoric of corruption has been contained and he US now sees the Afghan President as a viable partner.

Karzai needs the U.S. Administrations support, but the U.S. also needs Karzai in order to be successful with its strategy in Afghanistan.

General McChrystal made recommedations, which would require up to an additional 40,000 troops. The strategy would involve a 3D approach of Defence, Diplomacy and Development. The additional 40,000 troops would provide security and train the Afghan National Army. Personnel from the State Department would train Afghans in running a government and Development agencies would work on developing basic infrastructure in the war torn country.

President Karzai has pledged to rid the country of corruption, a difficult job in this country where bribes by bureaucrats and police are an ingrained culture.

Karzai also claimed that Afghanistan could take care of its own security needs in 5 years.

It seems apparent that President Obama is leaning in the direction of supporting Karzai and his Strategy, when revealed, will include an exit strategy in five years. This explains the new softer approach with President Karzai.

The question still remains "Is President Hamid Karzai a viable partner for the U.S. Strategy?"

But instead of revisiting old disputes, Karzai brought in several cabinet ministers to talk about development and security. He explained details of a new effort to address graft. And halfway through a meal of lamb stew, chicken and rice, he looked across the table and said he had decided that the United States would be a "critical partner" in his second term, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with the meeting.

The Americans also turned on the charm. Clinton, wearing an embroidered floral coat she had purchased on an earlier trip to Afghanistan, told stories of her time in Arkansas and in the Senate, and listened with interest as the Afghans detailed how they recently exported 12 tons of apples to India by air.

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Hugh Askew

at 04:49 on November 20th, 2009

Is President Hamid Karzai a viable partner for the U.S. Strategy?

I see only 3 general choices on that one.

1. Get out now

2. Stay, work with Karzai, try to make him move in the direction needed

3. Stay, ignore him, do what we can, regardless of what he does.

None look real promising.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:05 on November 20th, 2009

I agree none of the choices are promising. The US Administration has put themselves in a box, that will be hard to crawl out of graciously. The fact that they are now embracing Karzai means, at least to me, that the troop surge will happen and Karzai and/or his successor will have to take control of Afghanistan in five years. This, no doubt, will be the exit strategy.

Hugh Askew

at 10:36 on November 20th, 2009

5 years, eh? Lot can happen in 5 years - good and bad.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 10:49 on November 20th, 2009

Pure speculation on my part based on Karzai's comments that Afghanistan will take over responsibility of security in Afghanistan in five years. Can he do it without NATO's help? No.