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US Maneuvers to Name Afghan Prime Minister

Part of America's 'exit strategy'

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 23, 2009 4:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – The US is planning to place a prime minister in the Afghanistan government to bypass corruption-tainted President Hamid Karzai, reports the Guardian. American authorities, backed by European allies, also plan to divert money to the provinces away from Karzai control. US officials have grown increasingly disillusioned with the current government and believe Karzai will be reelected. "Karzai is not delivering. If we are going to support his government, it has to be run properly," said an official.

The strategy to fill a new prime minister post follows President Obama's statement that the US must extricate itself from Afghanistan. "There's got to be an exit strategy. There's got to be a sense that this is not perpetual drift," he said on 60 Minutes. "What we can't do is think that just a military approach in Afghanistan is going to be able to solve our problems. What we're looking for is a comprehensive strategy."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

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Steve Kroft interviews President Obama for '60 Minutes.' (AP Photo/CBS News-60 Minutes, Aaron Tomlinson)

President Obama wants to eradicate sense of 'perpetual drift' in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Obama also discusses the challenge of his office and AIG in the interview. (VoiceofAmericans2008)

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Karzai is not delivering. If we are going to support his government, it has to be run properly to ensure the levels of corruption decrease, not increase. The levels of corruption are frightening.
- A diplomat with knowledge
of the Obama review

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US Maneuvers to Name Afghan Prime Minister