Afghan Future Depends On Karzai Anti-Graft Fight

Afghan Future Depends On Karzai Anti-Graft Fight: In a country where corruption affects almost every aspect of daily life, a pledge by Afghanistan’s reinstated President Hamid Karzai to clean up graft is being met with widespread scepticism.

Afghan Future Depends On Karzai Anti-Graft Fight:In a country where corruption affects almost every aspect of daily life, a pledge by Afghanistan’s reinstated President Hamid Karzai to clean up graft is being met with widespread scepticism.

Since being named president on Monday by an election commission staffed by his appointees, Karzai has come under pressure from Western allies to eradicate what he called the “stain of corruption” from his government.

As US President Barack Obama considers requests from military commanders to deploy tens of thousands more troops to fight the Taliban insurgency, he urged Karzai to back his words with deeds.

Congratulations have poured in from world leaders, though many have attached warnings that Karzai must make substantial, rapid progress on eradicating corruption.

The top US military officer Wednesday demanded decisive action from Karzai against what he called “endemic” corruption, saying tainted officials had to be prosecuted.

“That means that you have to rid yourself of those who are corrupt, you have to actually arrest and prosecute them. You have to show those visible signs,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen told reporters in Washington. Related article: Iraq surge for Afghanistan?

Closer to home, Afghan analysts and activists warn a lack of action could further undermine what is widely perceived as an illegitimate government.

“The government will have a very short life if they don’t take very serious action on corruption,” said independent activist Orzala Ashraf. more yahoo news

4 Militants Killed In US Strike In Pakistan:Reports

4 Militants Killed In US Strike In Pakistan:Reports: At least four militants were killed in a US drone missile strike in a Pakistan’s tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said on Thursday. The attack took place in Norak village of North Waziristan, an area where Washington says Islamist fighters are hiding out and planning attacks on Western troops stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan. It was a US drone attack which targeted a compound of a local tribesman, Musharraf Gul, in Norak village, killing four militants and wounding three others,” a senior security official in the area told AFP.

4 Militants Killed In US Strike In Pakistan:Reports:At least four militants were killed in a US drone missile strike in a Pakistan’s tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said on Thursday.

The attack took place in Norak village of North Waziristan, an area where Washington says Islamist fighters are hiding out and planning attacks on Western troops stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan.

It was a US drone attack which targeted a compound of a local tribesman, Musharraf Gul, in Norak village, killing four militants and wounding three others,” a senior security official in the area told AFP.

He said two missiles were fired from a US drone at 1:30 am (0830 GMT).” Another security official confirmed the attack and said “Taliban rebels were using the compound.”

“It is not clear if there was any high-value target,” he said, adding: “We also do not know yet the identity of the militants.