'Karzai Blames Allies For Problems', BBC News, 20 January 2009

EXCERPT: "Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called on his international allies to change the way the 'war on terror' is being fought in his country. Addressing parliament, Mr Karzai once again urged US-led and Nato troops to do more to reduce civilian casualties. He also called for a rethink in the way billions of dollars in aid are spent and accused his allies of not doing enough to curb the illegal drugs trade. On Sunday Nato's head complained of corrupt government in Afghanistan. Mr Karzai, who is due to face a presidential election this year, told the opening session of parliament that the fight against militants could not be won without popular support from Afghans. The president has often complained to Western powers over civilian casualties in recent years. The president's criticism comes just two days after Nato secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer alleged that Afghanistan's 'corrupt and inefficient government' was as much to blame as the Taleban for the country's chronic instability."

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See also:
'', Asia Times Online, 20 January 2009
'Karzai urges West to review Afghan war strategy', Reuters, 20 January 2009
'', The Associated Press, 20 January 2009
'Taliban claims they've formed shadow government', CTV News, 17 January 2009

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