Corruption looms over Karzai inauguration

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- With world leaders attending his inauguration, Afghan President Hamid Karzai must address corruption and sideline warlords, Human Rights Watch said.

Afghan President Karzai was sworn in for a second term before foreign dignitaries in Kabul on Thursday against a backdrop of allegations of rampant corruption in his administration.

Karzai faced criticism in May for a decision to select Mohammad Qasim Fahim, a former rebel leader accused of war crimes, as his running mate for the August election.

Allegations of rampant corruption in the August presidential contest further tarnished his reputation.

Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said the Karzai administration must take concrete steps to gain the trust of the Afghan population.

"It shouldn't have taken a failed presidential election, rampant corruption, and deteriorating security to realize that this is important," he said. "Karzai and his international backers should realize that it's now or never to regain the trust of the Afghan people."

Karzai during his inaugural address outlined a series of measures he saw as vital to regaining control over national affairs within three to five years.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commended the Afghan president for advocating such "an ambitious goal."

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, however, said he attended the inauguration in order to pursue a contract with the Afghan government.

"I'm not here to applaud President Karzai," he said. "I'm here to engage with him and his key people and make sure they understand that there's a contract between the Afghan government and the international community that must be honored."