KABUL- In recent weeks, Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s anti-western behavior has become well known to even the most casual observers of Afghanistan. First, he stood next to, and appeared to agree with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the Iranian President called America and its international allies fighting in Afghanistan “occupiers.” Days later, Karzai told supporters in a closed door meeting he might consider joining the Taliban if his western partners didn’t stop pushing him to clean up government corruption and interfering in Afghan affairs. The White House was so angry at Karzai’s actions, it threatened to withdraw his invitation to visit Washington later this Spring.
US officials have since come to the defense of Karzai –trying to smooth over the rocky relationship. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Karzai a “reliable partner,” and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Karzai has an excellent relationship with Gen. Stanley McChrystal. While the Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke told reporters in Kabul that Karzai’s comments were misinterpreted.
But Karzai’s comments are only the tip of the iceberg of a growing anti-western sentiment brewing in Afghanistan’s capital. Since being sworn in for a second term last November, Karzai’s government has significantly made life more difficult for the western community supporting his fledgling government – for no apparent reason.
International contractors, who do much of the work in Afghan Ministries, complain that getting work permits and visas for western employees is becoming significantly more difficult.
“Compared to what we had to deal with just last year, the obstacles are great, and getting worse,” said one western contractor who asked not to be identified. - FOX News Story
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