Sep. 28, 2005. 05:25 PM
Opium-linked corruption hobbles Afghan government: ex-minister
Government must be purged of drug traffickers, former interior minister demands
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KABUL — A day after resigning, Afghanistan's interior minister said today the government must purge officials involved in drug trafficking, warning that corruption linked to rampant opium cultivation is undermining the pursuit of stability after decades of war.
Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali expressed frustration with the pace of efforts to bring officials suspected of drug industry ties to justice. He urged action "to clean the government, clean the administration."
"Without that, we will not be able to bring about a healthy, committed administration that will only serve the people, will deliver to the people what they are supposed to deliver," Jalali said.
He dismissed speculation of strained relations with U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai, insisting the only reason he was resigning was to pursue an academic career. Jalali said Tuesday he was leaving his job after nearly three years. Karzai accepted his resignation today, awarded him a medal for "priceless services" and agreed to Jalali's offer to become a special adviser.
Observers have said Jalali was frustrated over the persistent power of provincial and local leaders suspected of corruption or involvement in drug trafficking in Afghanistan, which is estimated to produce 87 per cent of the world's supply of opium and its derivative, heroin. Drugs make up a large portion of the economy.
Jalali said Karzai, too, is committed to ridding the government of corrupt officials linked with the drug trade.
"This is something that we want, the interior minister wants, the president wants and the whole government wants," he said. "The pace of progress is not such that you would say that it is desirable. But there is some progress."
He said authorities have arrested two police officers in the past two weeks on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, and also arrested some government officials accused of corruption.
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