WASHINGTON - The registration of the US special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction has intensified the challenge to President Barack Obama's administration to show progress in rebuilding Afghanistan before American troops begin pulling out in July.
WASHINGTON - The registration of the US special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction has intensified the challenge to President Barack Obama's administration to show progress in rebuilding Afghanistan before American troops begin pulling out in July.
The decision by Arnold Fields, a retired Marine major-general, to resign on February 4 came as some critics are urging Obama to find a more aggressive watchdog who can focus attention on flushing out civilian corruption and shortcomings in the Afghan government.
"Given the amount of money going into Afghanistan, you would think there would be many sets of eyes looking at how it's being spent," said Danielle Brian, director of the Project on Government Oversight, an independent advocacy group. "When you get money leaving the country in bags, this should be an all-points bulletin."
US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks have given accounts of endemic corruption in Afghanistan. One report said officials in the United Arab Emirates stopped a former Afghan vice-president entering the country withR367million. The former official denied the allegation.
US programmes to rebuild Afghanistan - a R395billion effort that has brought only mixed results since 2002 - will take centre stage as Obama seeks to demonstrate progress on security and governance so he can begin withdrawing troops.
Yet foreign reconstruction programmes since the ouster of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers in 2001 have been hobbled by insecurity, corruption, poor governance, overlapping aid work and the sheer difficulty of trying to transform a deeply poor tribal nation where only 28percent of people are literate.
A White House official said the office of the special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction is seen as playing a vital role in the US campaign.
After Fields's resignation, "the administration will look to find someone who can get us through the next phase," the official said.
Fields, a lifelong soldier who also worked in Iraq, was criticised by some US lawmakers for poor leadership and plodding work during his tenure.
US struggles to keep Afghan plan on track
WASHINGTON - The registration of the US special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction has intensified the challenge to President Barack Obama's administration to show progress in rebuilding Afghanistan before American troops begin pulling out in July.
WASHINGTON - The registration of the US special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction has intensified the challenge to President Barack Obama's administration to show progress in rebuilding Afghanistan before American troops begin pulling out in July.
The decision by Arnold Fields, a retired Marine major-general, to resign on February 4 came as some critics are urging Obama to find a more aggressive watchdog who can focus attention on flushing out civilian corruption and shortcomings in the Afghan government.
"Given the amount of money going into Afghanistan, you would think there would be many sets of eyes looking at how it's being spent," said Danielle Brian, director of the Project on Government Oversight, an independent advocacy group. "When you get money leaving the country in bags, this should be an all-points bulletin."
US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks have given accounts of endemic corruption in Afghanistan. One report said officials in the United Arab Emirates stopped a former Afghan vice-president entering the country withR367million. The former official denied the allegation.
US programmes to rebuild Afghanistan - a R395billion effort that has brought only mixed results since 2002 - will take centre stage as Obama seeks to demonstrate progress on security and governance so he can begin withdrawing troops.
Yet foreign reconstruction programmes since the ouster of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers in 2001 have been hobbled by insecurity, corruption, poor governance, overlapping aid work and the sheer difficulty of trying to transform a deeply poor tribal nation where only 28percent of people are literate.
A White House official said the office of the special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction is seen as playing a vital role in the US campaign.
After Fields's resignation, "the administration will look to find someone who can get us through the next phase," the official said.
Fields, a lifelong soldier who also worked in Iraq, was criticised by some US lawmakers for poor leadership and plodding work during his tenure.
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