Mullen: Corruption in Afghanistan must end

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The government of re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai must push to reduce corruption and establish its legitimacy, the head of the U.S. military said.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday he was concerned about the government under Karzai, who was given a second term after an election rife with fraud.

Mullen said Karzai, declared the winner this week after his opponent dropped out of a runoff election, "has got to take significant steps to eliminate corruption," the Defense Department said in a release.

The chairman said "it will be evident pretty quickly" whether Karzai is serious about improving his government's legitimacy.

"We are extremely concerned about the level of corruption and the legitimacy of this government. It's far too much endemic," Mullen said at the National Press Club. "That means that you have to rid yourself of those who are corrupt; you have to actually arrest and prosecute them. You have to show those visible signs."

Mullen's comments about the Afghan government come as President Barack Obama and his advisers debate the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, which includes a request from the top U.S. commander there for additional troops.

Military success hinges on governmental success, Mullen said Wednesday.

"If we don't get a level of legitimacy and governance, then all the troops in the world aren't going to make any difference," he said.