How the CIA's bags of cash bought corrupt President Karzai

For more than a decade, wads of US dollars packed into suitcases, backpacks and, on occasion, plastic shopping bags have been dropped off every month or so at the offices of Afghanistan's President, courtesy of the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Tens of millions of dollars have flowed from the CIA to the office of President Hamid Karzai, according to current and former advisers to the Afghan leader. ''We called it ghost money,'' said Khalil Roman, who was Mr Karzai's chief of staff from 2002 until 2005. ''It came in secret, and it left in secret.''

The CIA, which declined to comment, has long been known to support some relatives and close aides of Mr Karzai. But the new accounts of off-the-books cash show payments on a vast scale, and with a far greater impact on everyday governing.

Moreover, there is little evidence the payments bought the influence sought. Instead, some US officials said, the cash has fuelled corruption and empowered warlords, undermining Washington's exit strategy from Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-the-cias-bags-of-cash-couldnt-buy-president-karzai-20130429-2iovi.html#ixzz2RwAzbtcr

How the CIA's bags of cash bought corrupt President Karzai

How the CIA's bags of cash bought corrupt President Karzai

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