Gates cites corruption as Afghan obstacle

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Tackling lingering issues over corruption in the Afghan government will not happen overnight, said U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sworn in for his second term Thursday in Kabul. His inauguration comes as world leaders measure their commitment to security operations in Afghanistan against the reputation of the Karzai government.

Karzai's image was tarnished by allegations of rampant corruption in the recent presidential contest and from his decision to appoint warlords to top leadership positions.

Karzai during his inaugural address vowed to tackle the issues of corruption, however, saying those guilty of graft "should be tried and prosecuted."

Gates told Pentagon reporters that while the commitments from Kabul were welcome, reforms would not happen immediately, the U.S. Department of Defense reports.

"My view on all this is that improvements in governance in Afghanistan will be evolutionary," he said.

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to unveil details of his long-awaited revised Afghan war strategy soon. Gates said that regardless of the level of commitment, corruption remained an obstacle.

"We're there to help them," he said. "But corruption and a lack of good government … are real impediments to the success of both the Afghan government and our own efforts."