Congressman calls meeting with Karzai disturbing

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

Congressman calls meeting with Karzai disturbing
The Associated Press

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 | 12:10 a.m.

A Democratic congressman, just back from Afghanistan, criticized Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday for failing to stem corruption infesting his country's government.

Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., also said Karzai must do more to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven for al-Qaida as the United States prepares to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan next July.

Larsen, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was one of four U.S. congressmen who met with Karzai last week in Kabul. Larsen told The Associated Press on Monday that he entered the meeting frustrated at the lack of progress in Afghanistan and left the hourlong session "disturbed."

Larsen said he was especially annoyed that Karzai appeared to blame everyone but himself for his country's problems.

"Nothing is Hamid Karzai's fault," he said in summing up Karzai's view.


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