Corruption must end in Afghanistan, Brown says

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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Avon)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said political corruption in Afghanistan, “particularly at the top,” must stop.

Speaking to reporters by telephone from Islamabad, Pakistan, Brown said Monday that his Saturday and Sunday visit to Afghanistan, including spending time with Hamid Karzai, that country’s president, was an eye-opener.

Brown, a Democrat from Avon, was sharp in his criticism of Karzai, saying, “There is much evidence of corruption at the top of government.” Brown specifically mentioned Karzai’s releasing drug dealers and not doing what is needed to stop that nation’s drug trade.

“No question Karzai is involved” in political corruption, Brown said.

Afghanistan had its national election last week, with many accusations of voter fraud and threats against those casting ballots, Brown said. The results aren’t finalized.

“I’m impressed they conducted an election in the middle of a war,” Brown said, despite questions about the legitimacy of the election.

Brown joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat from Pennsylvania, and U.S. Rep. Zack Space of Dover, Ohio, D-18th, on the trip, which included a visit Monday to Pakistan. The delegation leaves today.

Steps to bring democracy to Afghanistan must be taken, Brown said.

“We made it very clear to Afghanistan that America’s patience won’t last forever,” he said. “They need to make progress.”

Brown said he spent time talking to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

“The jury is still out on the need to increase troops in Afghanistan,” he said.

The U.S. has about 57,000 troops in Afghanistan, including the recent addition of 17,000. The United States has had troops in Afghanistan since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“The last six to seven years we missed opportunities to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan by focusing on the war in Iraq,” Brown said. “The focus allowed the problems in Afghanistan to escalate. The violence is still way too great.”

skolnick@vindy.com