Friday
Jan222010
Afghanistan Will be Held Accountable Says Foreign Secretary Miliband
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 1:08PM
By Monique Cala University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service
At a committee hearing on civilian strategy for Afghanistan Thursday, Foreign Secretary David Miliband from the United Kingdom said that not only will the civilian people be held accountable for their political trajectory, but also high ranking officials including President Karzai.
"We can say very clearly we will not spend money through those parts of the Afghan government where we do not have confidence that the money will reach its intended beneficiaries," said Miliband.
Senators present at the hearing expressed concern over corruption in Afghanistan.
"A new survey by the United Nations found that one of every two Afghans paid a bribe to a public official in the last year," stated Senator Kerry (D-Mass).
Miliband outlined the plan to increase the country's police force and improve the Afghan Military. He reiterated the amount of commitment that both the U.S. and the United Kingdom holds in the stabilization of Afghanistan and expressed optimism for the future.
When asked about the withdrawal off troops by July, 2011 set by President Obama, Miliband said he believes the President was misunderstood.
"The U.S. forces will 'begin' a drawdown," said Miliband. "It's a ramp and not a cliff edge."
The committee met Thursday to also discuss the upcoming London Afghanistan Conference which will be held January 28.
"The London Conference is a crucial opportunity for President Karzai to improve cooperation with international efforts in his country," said Kerry.
At a committee hearing on civilian strategy for Afghanistan Thursday, Foreign Secretary David Miliband from the United Kingdom said that not only will the civilian people be held accountable for their political trajectory, but also high ranking officials including President Karzai.
"We can say very clearly we will not spend money through those parts of the Afghan government where we do not have confidence that the money will reach its intended beneficiaries," said Miliband.
Senators present at the hearing expressed concern over corruption in Afghanistan.
"A new survey by the United Nations found that one of every two Afghans paid a bribe to a public official in the last year," stated Senator Kerry (D-Mass).
Miliband outlined the plan to increase the country's police force and improve the Afghan Military. He reiterated the amount of commitment that both the U.S. and the United Kingdom holds in the stabilization of Afghanistan and expressed optimism for the future.
When asked about the withdrawal off troops by July, 2011 set by President Obama, Miliband said he believes the President was misunderstood.
"The U.S. forces will 'begin' a drawdown," said Miliband. "It's a ramp and not a cliff edge."
The committee met Thursday to also discuss the upcoming London Afghanistan Conference which will be held January 28.
"The London Conference is a crucial opportunity for President Karzai to improve cooperation with international efforts in his country," said Kerry.
Reader Comments (1)
The findings of the UN survey on corruption in Afghanistan is far below the reality on the ground. I can not think of any individual not having to pay bribe for getting anything done in that country. The moment you enter any govt office, you will have to pay for inntiating any work you have there. Readers may not believe that once I had to pay extra money just for having my tax penalty money diposited in govt bank.......now, the world must imagine how corrupt system they have installed there.