US Bid to Bypass Karzai's Afghan Government Upsets Allies

[tekisui]

Source: Guardian

The US is seeking to extend its control over the day-to-day running of Afghanistan with the appointment of an international "high representative" in Kabul in an attempt to bypass Hamid Karzai's much-criticised government.

The initiative, being pushed by the US special envoy, Richard Holbrooke, has caused a split between Washington and its closest Nato allies, who believe it could further undermine the Afghan president's legitimacy and the United Nations' role in the country.

The proposal is part of a political strategy designed to accompany the dispatch of US reinforcements due to be announced tomorrow night by Barack Obama and ultimately provide an exit strategy.

The political package under discussion includes the installation of an Afghan chief executive at Karzai's shoulder in the government and closer international cooperation by a permanent "contact group".

The measures are designed to overcome the weakness and corruption of the Afghan government that the troops will be fighting to support. The British foreign secretary, David Miliband, has said the government would fall within weeks if Nato pulled out now.

Some European officials, including senior British figures, argue that the gains in efficiency achieved by appointing an international envoy with vice regal authority would be outweighed by the Kabul government's further loss of legitimacy.

more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/30/aghanistan-karzai-obama-united-nations

[Flaneur]

1. We're replacing our puppet with a more pliable puppet?

This is embarrassing.

[kenny blankenship]

6. More like brushing the supposedly sovereign and democratic state of Afghanistan aside

while we do whatever the fuck we want to in their country. So they best get used to it. And smile.

[kenny blankenship]

2. Imperial hubris pooch-screw #713 : Undercutting Your Puppet

thus casting ever deeper shadows and doubt on the legitimacy of the whole puppet theater you're running. Erodes your international support and makes your puppet hated and mocked by his own people.

Two thumbs way UP!

[Individualist]

3. PNAC's Pax Americana is proceeding as planned.

:puke:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. A "New Strategy" meets a 19th Century Strategy. Imperialism is just what it used to be.

"Picking up the white man's burden" is transformed into "building democracy" in Afghanistan.

And, "The Great Game" is now "The Great Chess Game".

[Thickasabrick]

5. Nation Building 101 nt

[Cleita]

7. When their taxpayers are paying the major part of the bill for this

fiasco, then they can dictate the terms.