Karzai Admits Accepting Millions in Cash From Iran

1 year ago

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai has confirmed that his government has taken money from the Iranian government to cover presidential expenses.

Karzai said the payments -- about $1 million twice a year -- will continue as part of an arrangement to ensure "good relations" between neighbors.

"They have asked for good relations in return, and for lots of other things in return. And we have also asked for lots of things in return in this relationship," he said.

The New York Times reported the payments Sunday, though it had said Umar Daudzai, Karzai's chief of staff, received up to $1 million to $2 million every other month from Iran and that the money was distributed to Afghan lawmakers, tribal elders and even Taliban commanders to secure their loyalty.

Karzai defended the money flow as similar to aid supplied by the United States, which gives "us bags of money. Yes, yes they do. It's all the same. So let's not make this an issue."

Filed Under: Afghanistan

Tagged: dailyguidance, hamid karzai, IranElection, taliban

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tplapper

American taxpayers have made Karzai a very wealthy man so why not pass the Iranian money around to people who hate us?

October 25 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Big John

How is this any different than the politicians in Washington taking all kinds of perks and money for voting the way corporations want them to? You would be amazed how much money changes hands in Washington and they are supposed to be running the biggest democracy in the world.

October 25 2010 at 2:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dkuna

We're dumping hundreds of billions into Iraq and Afganistan not to fight a war but to win the hearts and minds of the natives. What a joke. They're just stealing our money and waiting for us to leave. Just go in, kill whoever it is that needs it, and leave. If you find out later that someone else needs it, send in a drone.

October 25 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

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