Outgoing U.S. ambassador tells military Afghan economy needs most work

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http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=44797

In a farewell conference, the outgoing U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan told U.S. military officials in the country that the most important issues there are health care, reconstruction and the economy.

Neumann also called on the Afghan government to build an “independent national monetary reserve” so the country is not completely dependent on foreign aid to keep running.

Among other problems Neumann identified: the training of the Afghan police is three years behind the Afghan army; the Taliban continues to regroup, mount attacks, and intimidate civilians; and corruption in the government must be rooted out.

“There has been a bazaar morality because for 30 years they’ve had to take what they could get to survive,” Neumann was quoted as saying. “Until the people believe in the government to take personal risks and sacrifice for it, corruption will continue.”