Karzai Rival Says President Can't Fight Corruption

VOA News ^ | November 4, 2009

[myknowledge]

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's main political rival is questioning the president's commitment to fighting corruption.

Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah withdrew days ago from a second-round runoff vote because of concerns over fraud. On Tuesday, he said Mr. Karzai's government lacks legitimacy because of the controversial election process that declared Mr. Karzai the winner by default.

Abdullah addressed a news conference in Kabul. It followed a similar conference by Mr. Karzai Tuesday in which the president vowed to "make every possible effort" to eradicate government corruption, but also appeared to reject removing high-level officials in any anti-corruption purge.

[myknowledge]

Abdullah Abdullah knows that Hamid Karzai is corrupt to the bone.

[CaptainMorgantown]

I’m not particularly a Karzai fan, but not sure what the rival hopes to accomplish. Abdullah doesn’t want to oppose Karzai in elections but doesn’t want to accept his legitimacy either. What he seems to be saying is “I want war, chaos and people suffering, because then I’ll get to be an important player.”

Maybe someone who understands the Afghan situation better can point to a better direction, but it seems to me the choice is between a political process that produces a flawed leadership to take baby steps forward, and absolute chaos and ruin.

[browardchad]

Maybe someone who understands the Afghan situation better can point to a better direction, but it seems to me the choice is between a political process that produces a flawed leadership to take baby steps forward, and absolute chaos and ruin.

I'm not an expert either, but the fact that the Obama team (hardly paragons of reform themselves) has been hostile to Karzai since even before our election makes his rival's opinion suspect.