Afghanistan, in Today's News 04.02.10

Afghanistan. One week after a visit by President Obama and about a month after the initiation by the United States of their much-heralded military offensive against the Taliban, Afghan President Karzai has shown his support by blasting the US, its allies and the United Nations. 

Today's Wall Street Journal, Karzai "...charged Western officials and embassies with fraud in last summer's presidential elections..." Karzai accused the US of bribery and death threats. He said the US efforts also included offers of cash and armored vehicles.

What prompted this outburst?

The United States has been trying to oust Karzai for some time. The US did just what Karzai alleges in an effort to remove his government, perhaps overthrow it, but at least force him into a coalition government in the last elections. The whole effort failed only because the US-sponsored candidate got cold feet and declined to participate in the run-off election.

WSJ: "Associates of Mr. Karzai say he was deeply wounded by what he considered Western treachery against him." The WSJ journal does not mention it, but it should be remarked that Senator Kerry played a key role in the treachery, when he flew to Afghanistan to pressure Karzai into accepting a run-off election.

Karzai took his time after the election, but when he felt he could, he issued a decree taking control of the Independent Election Commission, which had played the central role in trying to influence the election against Karzai.

Today's outburst occurred because parliamentary elections are scheduled for September and already Karzai has detected the manipulations of the US. In short, Karzai is fighting for his life. It doesn't worry him that his remarks might cause the US to undermine him. The US already is, and has been for some time.

One final note: Obama might be asked how his offensive is going? The Afghan government is providing very little support. Karzai, after much prodding of his staff, had to be awakened from a mid-day nap to hear of the plans for the offensive. It took a major effort to force Karzai to go to the initial military target, Marjah, to listen to the residents there. He also showed his support by appointing a thug to preside over the newly 'liberated' area. Karzai has also repeatedly accused the US of needless killing of civilians.

The media will never mention it, but Obama's efforts in Afghanistan are a little short of disastrous.