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Subscribe to RSSKABUL, Afghanistan -- An American Congressional delegation met with opponents of the government of President Hamid Karzai over the weekend, further straining already-tense relations between Kabul and the Obama administration.
The Afghanistan National Front (ANF) is the most prominent of the groups to succeed the so-called Northern Alliance. It is led by the brother of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a Tajik leader who was slain by al-Qaida days before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The U.S. and Northern Alliance later worked together to oust the Taliban.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Gavin Sundwall told NBC News that the U.S. delegation was led by Texas Republican Louie Gohmert. The names of other members of the delegation were not released.
"It is like (the U.S.) Ambassador going to Moscow and meeting with the opposition first," said NBC News correspondent Jim Maceda, who has reported on Afghanistan for more than 20 years. "It is an example of good intentions paving the way to hell."
The Northern Alliance, made-up largely of Tajiks and other non-Pashtun groups, opposed the Taliban for years and are struggling for more power under Karzai. Karzai, who also fought the Taliban, is Pashtun.
"We understand that members of the U.S. Congress had a private meeting with former Northern Alliance political figures on April 22 in Kabul," the U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement obtained by NBC News. "U.S. Embassy Kabul neither arranged nor participated in these meetings. The Members of Congress do not represent the State Department or any other part of the executive branch. Their presence and views at this privately arranged event do not reflect the view of the president or the administration."
US, Afghans seal long-term partnership deal
The embassy's statement followed news that Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Cal.), a fierce critic of of Karzai's government and the White House's policies in Afghanistan, was denied entry into the country over the weekend.
Rohrabacher, the Republican chairman of the House foreign affairs subcommittee on oversight and investigation, was barred from entering Afghanistan from Dubai on Friday, the Guardian newspaper reported.
According to Rohrabacher's spokeswoman, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a personal message from Karzai to the congressman saying he would not be welcome in Afghanistan and to cancel his visit, the newspaper said.
Rahmat Gul / AP
More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
The U.S. delegation and the ANF issued a statement after the meeting condemning recent Taliban attacks and corruption, calling for a more decentralized form of government.
Afghan attack foiled? 11 tons of explosives seized
The ANF and the congressional delegation "call for a comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue immediately with the support of [the] international community that would lead to the implementation of a parliamentary form of democracy with decentralization of executive power to the provinces with elected management."
The statement also called Rohrabacher "a great friend of the Afghan people" and condemned the fact he was "not permitted to enter Afghanistan because of his support for constitutional reform."
Msnbc.com's F. Brinley Bruton contributed to this report.
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- Iran says it is building a copy of downed US spy drone
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Once again we see a back door opening to bring peace to this country. We also see the State Dept. slam it shut . What is wrong with our State Dept ??? Guess they want to keep wasting our money on a crooked puppet and spill more of our blood there .
Neah, just until we finish building the pipeline to India. karzai is becoming a problem so we must line up the next puppet to replace him. And the beat goes on. Spending our blood and taxes in order to secure private corporate profits.
The Northern Alliance should have been in power to begin with. They disliked the Taliban, Al Qaeda. They were very honest men who really wanted a chance to bring peace to Afghanistan. Now they have a completely self serving government like our own.
Karzai is completely corrupt and is rumored to have a serious drug problem. Why the Obama administration continues to support him is beyond me. Karzai and his constant rhetoric and demands has become a major obstruction to peace in Afghanistan. Every time there is an attempt at setting up negotiations with other factions in order to build a unity government, Karzai throws up some ridiculous preconditions to the negotiations that no one is going to agree to. He intentionally sabotages the negotiations because he does not want to share power with anyone. This is because sharing of power would uncover the true extent of his corruption and likely lead to his summary execution by his own people. So long as the Obama administration continues to support him and kiss his ass with the constant apologies every time there is any kind of incident, Karzai will continue to be a problem and his arrogance will only continue to get worse. It is long past time for the administration to stop supporting this corrupt a-hole so that Afghanistan can get some new leadership that truly wants to see a unity government that can establish a sustainable peace in the country.
@Kristian,
I wouldn't necessarily say that the Northern Alliance was the welcome wagon.Gen. Dostum can be compared to Milosevic when it comes to his people skills. He is the kind of guy you fund and provide weapons to in a manner that no one can trace back to your name. They are killers, smugglers, rapists as well, the only reason we marched lockstep is that they were after the same a-holes as we were. If we asked them to not grow poppy, they would flip us off, so they are really not a true partner.
They were ruthless. But in Afghanistan, that is their way of life. Even before the English. They really stick to a backwoods, stone age way of thinking. They have a country with a common enemy. But their true aspirations are way more positive and humanly than the Taliban. The Taliban slaughtered people daily. Afghanistan lived in total fear of them.
The world needs to keep an eye on Karzai. He has his own agenda. And part of that is knowing that once we leave, he is gonna be a dead man unless he brokers deals with the Taliban and Haqqani. But to keep face, he has to assert some authority. At a instant we can tell him to shut up and he will. But the N.A. wants freedoms and liberties.
I agree Karzai is useless,I'm just wondering why a congressional delegation had meetings that the state dept did'nt authorize.I'm all for anything that gets our troops out of afghanistan today.
I believe there are countries around the World that would accept our freedoms and liberties much easier and without war. What an Idea, war in order to impose freedoms and liberties. Ha, what an oxymoron.
I am willing to bet that MOST Americans and tax payers wouldn't care about liberties and freedoms in Afghanistan and would much rather see our public investments be 'Made in the USA'.
Bobi...right on! Our grossly incompetent president and state department have again proven they have no ability to either make peace, or win a war. In this case kudos to the legislators who had this meeting. Karzai is a corrupt, worthless excuse for a leader, and our foolish state department and leadership follow his orders like lap dogs. Hooray for the people to meet his opposition and try other ways for a peaceful settlement to this hideous wasteful war.
Welcome to the new world order you all enjoy?
Karzai is a punk, without the U.S., and Coalition forces, would still be wearing his cape back in the United States, or Europe. We need to let that idiot go play in the traffic, and see what happens. Really tired of his whining, and corruption. I want to look at all the Afghan held Swiss bank accounts that came from US aid dollars, and down right stealing. If we're lucky the bad guy's or the good guy's will blow his crap away.
Does anybody, including the US deligation to Afghanistan know what protocol is?
As a representatives of US government, they can't just go do their own thing behind the scenes.
It is as if though these US representative have their own agenda. In the US, do we have one goverment or two or three? Does one hand know what the other one is doing?
They are not making things better, they are not going to bring peace, what they are doing is undermining the current administration (right or wrong in its position). What it reflects is that the US government is in decay, and it is divided. Which, by the way, are both true.
Karzai has been jumping around too much lately.
High time we showed him that if he gets too fidgety, we have others in mind to replace him.
You cannot trust a Texas Republican!!! Is he there to promote peace, or is they there for same kind of political interference and underhandedness that is the trademark of any Texas Republican????
Once again leave it to the Rethuglicans to try and keep this war going, as long as the War Complex gets to sell guns it does not care who is on the receiving end of the Bullets
That is exactly what is going on!! Karzi is corrupt yes, but to try and deal with someone else now when you are trying to get out seems crazy. I hope its not more of the "we will make him a one term president no matter what". Please, let it be that they think they are really helping, let it be a difference of opinion in the best way to secure peace, just don't let it be a political move that endangers our troops and delays their coming home. I don't think you can have congress and the state department going in different directions when it comes to foreign policy. Its allot like me arguing with my XO about policy, we went around and around behind closed doors, but when the door opened, we were on the same page. Foreign policy has to be like this, it has to be a united front, they can disagree here, in chambers, but I don't think showing support for an opposition leader is very tasteful.
What do repubs have to do with this? Obama sent the surge troops in? And it isn't really his fault either. He was probably advised by his "handlers" that he was perceived as not having "sack." Many decisions are made with a public and international perception, not personal philosophy or policy. And most whiners complaining about war are probably the same ones enjoying the spoils. Obtaining oil and other natural resources. Hell, you can have a mutual fund that has heavy defense contractors in it, and I'm sure you wouldn't call it "blood money." Just turn away and cash those checks. Worlds police is a sh!tty job, but what else do we do? If Obama wants to strut his foreign policy stuff, have him engage the Chinese and start paying us properly for the intellectual property rights they owe the U.S. And without dicking us on devaluing their currency in retaliation. If he could make headwaves there, I would vote for him. So far, he hasn't shown me much.
Gee what a surprise. Align ourselves with somebody that opposes karzi? that finally makes some sense. If we are going to commit US forces to supporting the Kabul government, we had better get somebody that will lead the government without stealing over half of the funds they are given. Karzi better have plans or he will be in the next beheading video on Arabia TV. He will not be able to run anywhere but Pakistan. OBL managed to live there for 5 years before he was found. I'll bet Karzi can get away with it for a year or two before he gets whacked by the Pakistani ISI.
frogman
I agree with you 100% . We supported the Northern Alliance ( Harries War ) when they threw Russia out of their country . Then we slaped them in the face by walking away from them . After all that they still want to make peace and be friends with us . They know and understand that Karzi is a thief and double dealer . He must go !!!! From where I sit, this could be a golden opertuneity for us and them . If we can do it properly this time .
bob
There it is. Exactly my question. Why must we give away our public blood and funds for this 'war effort'. This is not about American freedom but all about pipelines. Get the hell out of there and stop lying to the American people. We must be really stupid to buy the American Freedom' lie. WMD in Iraq, no go. American freedom in Afghanistan, another lie. I think that corrupt politicians MUST GO.
The Northern Alliance is not our friend. They just have faced facts all along. They know that Karzai won't last more than a couple of months after we leave and we are leaving soon. They know that after we leave the Taliban will be in power and gunning for them. Can we work with them? Well we did in the past so let's hope so. Anything is better than those Pashtun bitches. Pakistan doesn't want the Northern Alliance in power so all the more reason to ally with them.
Just another way the rep. trying to make the adminitration look bad. That party has become discusting.
What's disgusting is this administration kissing Karzai's ass. We just agreed to support them militarily and with aid for the next 20 years. Karzai has taken every chance he gets to bad mouth the U.S. even blatantly saying he would support Pakistan over the U.S. Why shouldn't somebody be looking for a viable alternative to this corrupt moron? It's OK for the administration to try to make deals with the Taliban, but not those that supported us against the Taliban? And you think the Republicans are disgusting?
This was a calculated move to make Karzai rethink his position with the US if we withdraw our support. We've been quietly threatening him with this in the past and he just ignores it. The next logical step was to make a public move like this so he can't pretend it isn't happening. We even gave him an out to save face with the whole "not approved by the state department" move. It will be interesting to see if he takes this warning or continues to dig his own grave.
Not everything is solely a politically motivated move from the Democrats or Republicans.
Get out of the middle east and quit shoring up corrupt unpopular governments. We have agreed to help them for years. It's another Korea. Another Viet Nam and a defeat for the US.You are fighting in the middle of a civil war. Let them fight and deal with the last one standing. We backed the Shah in Iran and look what happened. We don't like government they have now but what can we do? Helping support such governments is the same as if the German had come over here in the 60s to suppress the civil rights movement. These groups are largely based on different religious beliefs, most of which we don't support. If a government like Iraq invades another country that is one thing but if the citizens cross into another country to fight it is different. You are not fighting a government that you can defeat but and idea backed by an endless supply of followers you must kill in order to stop the idea. Afghanistan bankrupted the Russians. Remember them, the ones we were so afraid of.
Making Karzai and his money grubbing Pashtun cronies look bad is no problem at all.
It is about gnikcuf time. Give Karzai a taste of his own medicine and make him squirm a little bit. He is as good as dead as soon as the US leaves anyway.
This is a concrete example of how Right "wing nuts" can in fact be dangerous, AND why short attention span allows for debate that totally misses the point. Those posting comments on this story neglected to first "consider the source." Rep. Louis Gohmert is the wacko Tea Party congressman who is not only a "Birther" but also went on the floor of the House of Representatives to "expose" his theory that clandestine terrorists were sending pregnant women to the US to give birth to children who would then be trained to hate US way of life and repatriated as "sleeper" terrorists.
It is established practice and policy that rogue congressmen are not supposed to engage in foreign policy "missions" without State Department coordination [although some unfortunately do]. There is nothing to stop nuts like Gohmert from making his insane pronouncements from the US, but a US Congressman going to meet with opposition leaders at a time when the Executive Branch is in negotiations for a Foreign Policy agreement is the height of irresponsibility. It is also a transgression of the separation of powers, as the Executive Branch is responsible for foreign policy. However, given Gohmert's history, his stupid and irresponsible behavior is sadly consistent. No reasonably intelligent US citizen would want Gohmert speaking on their behalf to any foreign leader. [Could you imagine how many deaths would result from Gohmert wading into the crisis situation in Syria?]
The best the State Department can do in this case is damage control. Luckily, Gohmert's history makes it easier to discredit him and to explain that he was acting solely as a meddling tourist with no portfolio at all. Although they may try to exploit the meeting, the ANF was ill advised to choose Gohmert as the US "representative" to meet with, as it demonstrates that they are out of touch and the best they can do is some paranoid nut case. Even if there was a "message" to be delivered, it is doubtful that anyone would pay attention to what Gohmert says. [At least let us hope so]
So your argument would explain why Nancy Pelosi traveled to Syria within 3 weeks of becoming Speaker of the House? Why the U.S. Mission Chief in Syria met with the opposition there before Syria even began cracking down on the dissenters.
You are neither a right-wing nut or a left wing nut, just a ..........
It is known Karzai plays both ends against the middle and is so corrupt even Chicago politicians admire him. Replacing Karzai would be in the best interest of Afghanistan and the U.S.
@navyvet: You either are uninformed or are deliberately missing the Point. Maybe it is too sophisticated for you.
I have no disagreement that Karzai is corrupt. But your argument is a political rant that misses the point. You were apparently in the military. If you were commanding officer, would you allow a low level serviceman to go and meet with the opposition during armed conflict without your permission or approval? Of course you would not! You would court martial that sailor or soldier.If you were a low level sailor, would you go and meet with the leaders of the conflict? Same answer. If you think a bit you can see the issue.
Pelosi went to Syria LONG before the current crisis and WITH State Department coordination. You can argue with whether she should have gone, or whether the US should ever have had ties with Syria, but it was clear that she was not attempting to interfere with current foreign policy. [And if you think Pelosi's record is anything comparable to Gohmert's, you have no factual perspective and there is no point is having this discussion] It is not unusual or inappropriate for Congressional leaders to have such "official" meetings because Congress must be informed and approve funding. BUT if you read the article, the Chair of the House Committee, the person with even ostensible authority to speak for the House of Representatives, was barred from the country and did not participate along with Gohmert.
Pelosi, and Karzai both end with i, and they both only think about I so I'm willing to let her, and he do business, and stay away from the decent people everywhere.
What is with all this repub cr@p. You are funny. Right at this moment, I am watching the John Edwards little story. How nice. A guy who was "considered a star in the party." Congratulations. Picture what our country would be with someone humping anything with a pulse. He would give away national secrets for a happy ending with some Chinese agent. Quit.
Karzai and his crony 'thieves' have accumulated enough cash to live where ever they like if ever things get nastier when the allies leave Afghanistan, which is very likely. The Swiss will have him, maybe the Vatican, either way, it is a very sad situation indeed.
After the Russian invasion in 1979, defeat and bankruptcy of the USSR eight years later, G W Bush did blunder big time, then again Halliburton had a lot of contracts and money spinning schemes. The world is no safer.
The poor Afghan Kids will suffer, as always.
The world could be helping the poor starving people of Africa, no such luck, too busy bailing out Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and probably Italy next.
Don't blame Barrack Obama, you Americans forget what he inherited from G W Bush and he has done a great jb, under the circumstances, he's a great guy.
Hoo Roo.
I sure am. Hoo Roo.
Here's a thought: Let's just mind our own business.
America minding it's own business, that would be a nice change and a chance for peace.
Ironic that we should find ourselves in the same position as Japan before the second world war when the oil they needed to survive was in the hands of the west. When they tried to secure oil-independence militarily, as we are doing now, the US cut off their oil supply assuring WW2. The more we use up our own oil reserves, the closer we come to that scenario.
Karzai is a ineffectual and corrupt leader, but this "Republican" delegation is only there to stir up trouble. Like Jane Fonda going to Hanoi.
Remember Nancy Pelosi going and meeting with President Bashar Hafez al-Assad of Syria with the US State Department telling her not to do it? Show us with the veil on International TV. Made one wonder which side she was on? Makes one wonder if she still in touch with him?
Again, the main issue is NOT about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, although many posts/rants here fail to grasp this fact. Indeed the conduct of Gohmert may serve to complicate and delay US withdrawal, to the extent that his actions seek to destabilize the Karzai regime. Think about it! Even those demanding withdrawal say that the US should get out first and then let the chips fall where they may. However, if the US were to attempt to withdraw its forces and resources in the middle of an uncontrolled civil war would only result in loss of more American lives. Moreover, the folks from the same GOP party who are demanding that the US get out [some GOP are demanding that we stay and intensify military action, at least the ones invested in corporations selling weapons] will then criticize that the US abandoned the mission and cause the ensuing chaos.
The main point is that criticizing the Administration policy in order to persuade the State Department and military to change course is one thing, actively meddling and attempting to sabotage foreign policy is quite another. That is why Gohmert should be put on a "No Fly" list once he returns.
Such a shame, then again you did give GW Bush the go ahead.
folks. do any of you realize that this country hates America. they
take billions of dollars from our dumpas- president. billions folks and when
they get it they give us a finger.
Same thing north Korea did. oboma gives them billions to stop
printing US money. what happens. they get it and keep printing.
oboma is ruining this country. why and who in the right mind would
give these country's a dime. really. anyone. they hate America and we are now
funding their causes.
does anyone see this as just a tad strange.
oboma is not for making us stronger or protecting us. he is a sad
man that is trying to ruin us from the inside.
America cannot handle another 4 years of this man. especially when
he has nothing to lose. he has (proven facts) spent more money in 3 years than
the last 10 presidents spent in 44 years.
that is sad folks.
What is truely sad, is the way that crook Bush ruined our entire economy! We couldn't afford four more years of that moron, but hey, we got it, and you see where it got us folks? Yep, two unfunded wars, we did not even need!
RJ; congress approves the money sent to foriegn countries not this or any president before him
Pity
I'm glad they met with someone other than the Moron in Charge over there. Maybe they won't be quite as crazy as crazy Karzai and half a hard to deal with. We need to get out of there anyway and let them go back to the way they've been for thousands of years, backwords......
I see there is alot of right wingers posting this morning. Touting their golden-boys as the real, (and only) deal! Bah! One must remember, it was not Obama that put that idiot Karzai in power! That was the doing of the idiot King, Bush! Remember that dolt? Now some off the neck idiots try to stir up more trouble. If they keep that up, we will never get out of there!
I see there is alot of right wingers posting this morning. Touting their golden-boys as the real, (and only) deal! Bah! One must remember, it was not Obama that put that idiot Karzai in power! That was the doing of the idiot King, Bush! Remember that dolt? Now some off the neck idiots try to stir up more trouble. If they keep that up, we will never get out of there!
ppp
This would be like Russia meeting with Romney before the election while Obama still has the power! Plus Obama has already promised Russia a "deal" after the election:) What kind of deal? Re-elect him and find out!
Or like your pal Kerry meeting with the Viet Cong in Paris??? You remember Kerry don't u?? That a**hole who strutted around Vietnam with a perpetual and omnipresent CAMERA filming his every move, for use in future POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS??? Yeah, that's him. The same coward who raced his gunboat from the scene of battle and damn near killed a crew member. And how about we dump the OBOZO and Not find out. More likely. Russia meeting with Romney would NOT result in a deal "selling out Europe".
n
Since Karzai decides which Congressman can visit, Congress has the power of the US Purse to decide how US tax dollars are spent. They should write legislation to prohibit the US Administration from spending any tax dollars which support or shore up the Karzai regime. The only funding that should be spent in Karzai's neighborhood should be tax dollars to support the US military in withdrawing from that country. The US should not wait until 2014.
What the left is worried about it the possible upset of the Cabal between Hussein Obama et al, inlcuding Pres Bashar Hafez al-Assad of Syria. Nancy Pelosi went to Syria to assure the President of better times ahead if Barrack were elected.
Funny how the young folks are such huge supporters? It is their future that is going down the drain, and poetically their fault. Sad
get out