Normalcy in Afghanistan
One in 25 members of the Afghan police comprised of 150,000 members was arrested in the last year for crimes that included murder, theft, corruption and aiding prisoners to escape incarceration. Little wonder their reputation among the ordinary people of the country is so awful. Little wonder Afghan civilians dread and detest their national police force, accusing them of corruption and violence.Over 100 Afghan police officers each week are charged with criminal offences. And these are the people that international forces are dedicated to preparing to take over security for their country. The Afghan military has a far less complicated relationship with the population. They are as ill paid as the police but their reputation for corruption doesn't equal that of the police.
Even though their small wages are held out as explanation for widespread corruption.
Rampant corruption, however, is a tradition in Afghanistan. It is universally practised, and always has been. From the country's legislators to its bureaucrats at every level of government. Nothing happens unless someone is prepared to offer a bribe.
Offences for which police were defendants include 136 officers arrested for unlawful killing, over 2,220 for abusing their position, and nearly 500 for theft and embezzlement taking place from March to November of the last year alone.
Some 350,000 Afghan security force personnel, inclusive of soldiers and police are being trained by the NATO training mission. The international community has spent billions since the invasion and occupation of 2001, in training the police force in the country.
That training and the ongoing financial support of the military and police will continue to be supported by the international community to the tune of billions yearly. Paying the salaries of the force beyond 2014 when the international troops (ISAF and NATO) plan to depart the country, is an ongoing issue.
The country's ministry of the interior claims those officers charged with corruption and unlawful behaviour will be discharged. The total numbers will be fewer as the poor performers are weeded out and what will be left are loyal, reliable professionals, according to Sediq Sediqqi, ministery spokesman.
"The minister has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and crime by police officers", he stated. The fault lies with the fact that many of the police are illiterate, criminally minded recruits, he claims.
At the same time President Hamid Karzai faults the U.S. and NATO forces for Afghans not feeling safe and secure. The predations and criminal activities of Afghan's police, the violent attacks on civilians by the Taliban are not what makes Afghans feel insecure, according to President Karzai. It is the activities of U.S. forces creating civilian casualties through their airstrikes.
Hundreds of angry Afghans across the country protested the killings of civilians by NATO forces. Dozens of civilians have been killed in the eastern provinces of Kapisa and Logar, northwestern Badghis province and the southern Taliban stronghold of Helmand over the past few days in NATO airstrikes. NATO is investigating those airstrikes.
"I personally take responsibility for these incidents", said U.S. General John Allen, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, called along with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker to President Karzai's palace to discuss the civilian deaths.
Labels: Afghanistan, NATO, Societal Failures, Terrorism, Traditions, United States
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, May 09, 2012
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