|
Karzai makes fallen defense minister his adviser
KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai appointed yesterday as senior adviser Abdul Rahim Wardak, the defense minister thrown out of Parliament for alleged security failures, in a move likely to be welcomed by Kabul's Western allies.Wardak and interior minister Besmillah Muhammadi were dismissed by Parliament earlier this month for what MPs said was their failure to stop a resurgence in the 10-year Taleban insurgency and cross-border shelling from Pakistan. Karzai had allowed the pair to continue serving in an acting capacity, but Wardak resigned a few days later. He has now been appointed senior presidential adviser on army reform, development and armaments, Karzai said in a decree, calling him a knowledgeable and experienced general. The appointment will meet with the approval of the US-led international coalition helping Kabul fight the insurgency by Taleban militants who were ousted from power in a 2001 invasion. Coalition commander US General John Allen said in an effusive statement earlier yesterday that: in my mind, he will always be the father of the modern Afghan army. Wardens extraordinary drive, competence and vision propelled him to leadership positions of the greatest importance, Allen said. Posted by: Steve White 2012-08-14 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=350172 |