Nederland en Afghanistan 94

De Washington Post bericht: 'Afghan Leader Losing Support.

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 25 -- Many Afghans and some foreign supporters say they are losing faith in President Hamid Karzai's government, which is besieged by an escalating insurgency and endemic corruption and is unable to protect or administer large areas of the country.
As a sense of insecurity spreads, a rift is growing between the president and some of the foreign civilian and military establishments whose money and firepower have helped rebuild and defend the country for nearly five years. While the U.S. commitment to Karzai appears solid, several European governments are expressing serious concerns about his leadership.
"The president had a window of opportunity to lead and make difficult decisions, but that window is closing fast," said one foreign military official in Kabul who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
"This is a crucial time, and there is frustration and finger-pointing on all sides," the official said. "President Karzai is the only alternative for this country, but if he attacks us, we can't help him project his vision. And if he goes down, we all go down with him."
In markets and mosques across the country, Afghans are focusing discontent on Karzai, 48, the amiable, Western-backed leader whose landslide election in October 2004 appeared to anchor a process of political reconstruction and stability that began with the U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001.
Since then, public confidence in his leadership has soured with reports of highway police robbing travelers, government jobs sold to the highest bidder, drug traffic booming and aid money vanishing. There are no public opinion polls here, but several dozen Afghan and foreign observers expressed similar views.' Lees verder:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/25/AR2006062500866.html?referrer=email&referrer=email

Lees ook: http://stanvanhoucke.blogspot.com/2006/06/nederland-en-afghanistan-92.html U weet dan dat dit bericht niet toevallig nu naar buiten wordt gebracht. De voormalige wethouder van Borculo, minister Kamp, gaat met zijn man/vrouwschappen de democratie in Afghanistan opbouwen. Een 'robuust' streven, en de Nederlandse politiek neemt dit ook nog serieus.