Karzai to address corruption in inaugural speech: official
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 | 6:35 PM ET
CBC News
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to answer international demands for reform while appeasing political allies who returned him to power during his inauguration speech Thursday, said an official familiar with a draft of his speech.
He is to be sworn in for a consecutive five-year term in Kabul.
The official said Karzai would not pepper his address with rhetoric criticizing the international community. Still, Karzai is likely to wag his finger at foreign donors, as he has done before, for allowing millions of dollars to be skimmed from aid contracts before Afghans ever see the assistance.
The official said Karzai would repeat his demand for assistance to be funnelled through the Afghan government as opposed to international organizations.
While Karzai was expected to address rampant bribery in his government, his message is not likely to satisfy the U.S. or other NATO countries, which are hinging future aid and troops on his resolve to clean up corruption.
Karzai's government unveiled an anti-corruption and major crimes unit this week.
"They've done some work on that, but in our view, not nearly enough to demonstrate a seriousness of purpose to tackle corruption," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters Wednesday during her flight to Kabul.
In Kabul, security was tight, bracing for a possible attack by insurgents wishing to disrupt the inauguration. Representatives from 42 countries are scheduled to attend, and the event could be a target for militants eager to attack the president and his allies.
Afghan troops, along with U.S. forces, were increasing patrols and checkpoints leading into the capital.
The Afghan government declared Thursday a national holiday and asked residents to stay home to keep traffic to a minimum. Regular flights in and out of Kabul airport were also cancelled for the day.
The inauguration comes as the reputation of the Karzai government has sunk to new lows. Karzai was declared the winner of the recent presidential election after his final competitor dropped out. The lead-up vote was tainted by accusations of widespread voter fraud.
The insurgency in Afghanistan is on the rise despite more than eight years of war and the presence today of more than 100,000 international troops. The Taliban has been emboldened by Karzai's weak and corrupt government that wields little influence outside the capital.
Western leaders hope Karzai will institute reforms to rid the government of corruption.
"There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai … to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people who live throughout this magnificent country," Clinton told staff at the U.S. Embassy.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was to meet Wednesday with Karzai amid improved relations recently between the two countries.
With files from The Associated Press
