According to an article in The Guardian newspaper, Western powers plan to revive the post of Prime Minister of Afghanistan, effectively sidetracking President Hamid Karzai. The proposal is expected to be presented at the March 31st Afghanistan Conference in The Hague. Afghanistan hasn’t had a prime minister since 1996, when the Taliban took over power. The newspaper quotes anonymous diplomatic sources who criticise the level of corruption and incompetence in the Kabul administration, but also believe President Karzai will win the elections next August. A European official is quoted as saying: “”We need someone next to Karzai, a sort of chief executive, who can get things done, who will be reliable for us and accountable to the Afghan people.”
“By installing a senior official at the president’s side capable of playing a more efficient executive role, the US and Europeans are seeking to channel resources to the provinces rather than to central government in Kabul”, The Guardian writes.
There’s a catch, though. The Conference in The Hague will not be of a decision-making nature; nor is it likely (or even legally possible) for foreign nations to change the state structures of Afghanistan.
Official website of the Conference
Radio Netherlands coverage of the Conference
