US Medicines for Afghan Soldiers Disappear

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S.-donated medicines and pharmaceutical supplies meant to keep the new Afghan army and police healthy have been disappearing before reaching Afghan military hospitals and clinics, and the government said it is removing the army's top medical officer from his post as part of an investigation into alleged corruption.

Afghan Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak told The Associated Press that Surgeon General Ahmad Zia Yaftali was being removed from his post as part of the inquiry. Three officials from the country's top medical facility, Dawood National Military Hospital in Kabul, have been fired, he said.

It's unclear just how much has gone missing of the $42 million worth of medical goods the U.S. has donated this year, and whether any Afghan soldiers have died as a result. U.S. officials say they do not account for the supplies after delivering them to the Afghans.

The Americans have repeatedly urged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to root out government corruption to show that his administration can be a true partner in re-establishing control over the country. However, many anti-corruption campaigns have stalled. And last summer, Karzai blocked an investigation into high-level aides supposedly accepting bribes.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/12/22/world/asia/AP-AS-Afghan-Missing-Medicine.html?_r=1&ref=news

[KG]

1. but, other than that, everything is going great over there...

:eyes:

[PoliticAverse]

2. 'Business' as usual... n/t

[hardtravelin]

3. Corrupt Savages. We need to leave, ASAP. n/t

[glinda]

4. Well isn't that interesting. At least there is something said and done about it. Kind of.

[gateley]

5. More Ka$h for Karzai. nt

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. I'm just shocked that such a thing could happen there

But I'm sure the firings will end the corruption.

:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Elmore Furth.

[conspirator]

8. To appear soon in Kabul's black market at inflated prices n/t