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Karzai: Corrupt officials are out

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The Associated Press

Published: November 9, 2009

KABUL - Embattled Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged Sunday there would be no place for corrupt officials in his administration.

It is a demand made by Washington and its international partners as they ponder sending more troops to confront the Taliban and shore up his government.

Also Sunday, NATO reported that one American and two British soldiers were killed in combat with the Taliban in western and southern areas.

With casualties mounting, corruption has become a main issue in Afghanistan, with President Barack Obama and other world leaders under pressure from constituents to explain why they send soldiers to fight and die in defense of a government riddled with graft, cronyism and fraud.

Karzai was proclaimed the winner last week in a fraud-marred presidential election after his only remaining challenger dropped out ahead of a runoff, saying he did not expect a fair vote.

His reputation sullied by the election, Karzai gave assurances Sunday he would rid his government of corrupt officials.

Karzai also said that donor countries share some responsibility for rampant corruption because of a poorly structured system to manage projects.

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