Posted on 12/26/2008 8:55:44 AM PST by BGHater
Operatives' bribes to warlords also include visas, tooth extractions, toys
The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.
The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes — followed by a request for more pills.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the country's roughest neighborhoods, according to officials directly involved in such operations.
'Whatever it takes' In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the officials say, the agency's operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas, and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs with slumping libidos, the officials said.
"Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people — whether it's building a school or handing out Viagra," said one longtime agency operative and veteran of several Afghanistan tours. Like other field officers interviewed for this article, he spoke on the condition of anonymity when describing tactics and operations that are largely classified.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Children and goats may feel the side effects.
L
Afghanistan, where men are men and the goats are...nervous.
Wonder what complaints Liberals will have over this?? Pelosi will be really puckered.
I suppose that’s one way to get hard data...
Dispensing prescription drugs illegally?
It is not illegal in Afghanistan, apparently.
And your camel will love YOU!
Make love, not war.
Yeah, they should get stiff sentences!
He was able to point out the Taliban without using his hands.
The British failed to keep Afghanistan because apparently they were concentrating on maintaining a stiff upper lip ...
"Operatives' bribes to warlords also include visas, tooth extractions, toys... "
Just in case anyone wonders why non-Christian America is in decline.
That’s an easy one, they didn’t get any!
Ahhh..., another “beads to the Indians” routine... LOL..
LOL!!!
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