Karzai Pledges To Fight Corruption, Grant Anti-Crime Units Independence

Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised Friday to step-up the fight against corruption within his country by allowing his country’s anti-crime units to operate independently.

“With regard to the anti-crimes task force and sensitive investigation body, which is of concern to the international community … we will make sure that these bodies are run in accordance with Afghan laws, under the Afghan Constitution, and are sovereign as Afghan bodies and independent – absolutely, in full terms – as Afghan bodies, to continue to fight against corruption,” Karzai said during remarks from the Gul Khana Palace in Kabul.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.), who joined Karzai Friday, applauded the announcement.

“I was very heartened to hear the President and the members of his Government re-commit themselves to significant efforts in the days ahead to guarantee the independent operation of their major crimes unit,” Kerry said.