Cash payments from Iran have been ‘transparent’ and will continue, Karzai says
Possible Iranian bribes? I smell a rat.
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - President Hamid Karzai said Monday that his government receives as much as $1 million at least once or twice a year from Iran for palace expenses, and that Washington also doles out “bags of money” to his office.
Karzai was responding to a Saturday New York Times article that reported that Iran gave Karzai’s chief of staff, Umer Daudzai, the money to further an Iranian agenda in the Afghan palace and buy his loyalty.
At a news conference with the president of Tajikistan, Karzai told reporters that he had ordered Daudzai to receive the money, but that Iran was just one of several nations that poured money into Afghan coffers.
“This is a relationship between neighbors and it will go on and we will continue to ask for cash help from Iran,” Karzai said.
Karzai said the money was used to “help the presidential office” and said they have been “transparent” payments that he had discussed with then-President George W. Bush.
“It is not hidden,” Karzai said. “We are grateful for the Iranians’ help in this regard. The United States is doing the same thing. They are providing cash to some of our offices.”