Current Event Posting: # 2
Topic: Politics
Title: Cables Describe Scale of Afghan Corruption as Overwhelming
Writers: Scott Shane, Mark Mazzetti and Dexter Filkins
Publication Name: New York Times Online
Date of Publication: December 2, 2010
From info on the diplomatic cables Afghanistan appears to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Information on bribery, extortion and embezzlement seem to imply that in Afghanistan they are the norm. for politicians. There was also information that several of these ambassadors took money from American development projects. One official from Afghanistan explained the four times when the corrupt officials steal the money. These are when contractors bid on a project, at application for building permits, during construction, and at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A while ago Abdul Ahad Sahibi a mayor in Afghanistan was aressted for massive embezzlement in as a "small victory against corruption". However, according to the cables this man was framed for this crime because he was trying to halt a corrupt land-distribution scheme. This sadly increases the idea that honest men in that government are few and far in between and sadly the rare kinda of politician you can find. An advocacy organization Transparency International has ranked Afghanistan as the 3rd most corrupt country in the world. This ranks it as only being behind Somalia and Myanmar. In the summer of 2009 a report from Kabul stated that President Hamid Karzai “allowed dangerous individuals to go free or re-enter the battlefield without ever facing an Afghan court.” Mr. Karzai also pardoned a border police officer who was found with approximately 273 pounds of heroin. He also intervened in a narcotics case involving the son of one of his wealthy supporters. This only can increase the fear and blatant obviousness of a drug trade fulled government.
From info on the diplomatic cables Afghanistan appears to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Information on bribery, extortion and embezzlement seem to imply that in Afghanistan they are the norm. for politicians. There was also information that several of these ambassadors took money from American development projects. One official from Afghanistan explained the four times when the corrupt officials steal the money. These are when contractors bid on a project, at application for building permits, during construction, and at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A while ago Abdul Ahad Sahibi a mayor in Afghanistan was aressted for massive embezzlement in as a "small victory against corruption". However, according to the cables this man was framed for this crime because he was trying to halt a corrupt land-distribution scheme. This sadly increases the idea that honest men in that government are few and far in between and sadly the rare kinda of politician you can find. An advocacy organization Transparency International has ranked Afghanistan as the 3rd most corrupt country in the world. This ranks it as only being behind Somalia and Myanmar. In the summer of 2009 a report from Kabul stated that President Hamid Karzai “allowed dangerous individuals to go free or re-enter the battlefield without ever facing an Afghan court.” Mr. Karzai also pardoned a border police officer who was found with approximately 273 pounds of heroin. He also intervened in a narcotics case involving the son of one of his wealthy supporters. This only can increase the fear and blatant obviousness of a drug trade fulled government.
I think it is "okay" to say that Afghanistan has more problems than most. I also believe that it is very easy to sit back and bash a country that is struggling with internal disputes on all levels. If someone (or something) is going to be criticized I think it is fair that context is given, because may be more than what meets the eye. Certain issues like relief attempts? Historical struggles between enemies? Many things have been built upon to reach this point and taking a snapshot of a national gives an immediate idea but will not capture the big picture.
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