Afghani officials 'on CIA's payroll'
Source: Agencies |
August 28, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
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THE CIA is making payments to a significant number of officials in Afghan President Hamid Karzai's administration, The Washington Post reported yesterday.
Citing current and former United States officials, the paper said the payments were intended to help the agency maintain a source of information within the Afghan government.
Some Karzai aides were CIA informants and others received payments to ensure their accessibility, the Post said, citing an anonymous US official. The payments have continued despite concerns that the agency is backing corrupt officials, the report said.
The Post said CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano disputed the official's characterization, saying: "This anonymous source appears driven by ignorance, malice or both."
Corruption and governance in Afghanistan are being scrutinized in Washington as US President Barack Obama plans a strategy review in December, a month after mid-term Congressional elections will be held.
The Washington Post also cited a former CIA official as saying that the payments to Afghan officials were necessary because "the head of state is not going to tell you everything" and because Karzai often seems unaware of moves members of his government make.
The New York Times reported on Thursday that one of Karzai's key national security advisors was on the CIA payroll. Karzai's half-brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, has been accused of making a fortune from the drug trade, intimidating rivals and having links to the CIA, charges he denies.
Citing current and former United States officials, the paper said the payments were intended to help the agency maintain a source of information within the Afghan government.
Some Karzai aides were CIA informants and others received payments to ensure their accessibility, the Post said, citing an anonymous US official. The payments have continued despite concerns that the agency is backing corrupt officials, the report said.
The Post said CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano disputed the official's characterization, saying: "This anonymous source appears driven by ignorance, malice or both."
Corruption and governance in Afghanistan are being scrutinized in Washington as US President Barack Obama plans a strategy review in December, a month after mid-term Congressional elections will be held.
The Washington Post also cited a former CIA official as saying that the payments to Afghan officials were necessary because "the head of state is not going to tell you everything" and because Karzai often seems unaware of moves members of his government make.
The New York Times reported on Thursday that one of Karzai's key national security advisors was on the CIA payroll. Karzai's half-brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, has been accused of making a fortune from the drug trade, intimidating rivals and having links to the CIA, charges he denies.
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