Karzai's Brother Reportedly on CIA Payroll

By: Tucker Reals
Topics: Afghanistan

(AP Photo/File)

Updated 2:28 p.m. EDT

The New York Times reported Wednesday that brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been on the CIA payroll for at least eight years, according to American officials.

Ahmed Wali Karzai (at left) is a powerful figure in the southern Kandahar province with reported ties to Afghanistan's opium trade, which is owned and operated largely by the Taliban.

According to the Times' sources, who were not named, Karzai has received "regular payments" from the American foreign spy agency in exchange for his organizing a paramilitary force in Kandahar which operates at the CIA's behest.

Allegations that Karzai is involved in the drug trade have circulated in Kabul for months.

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But Karzai denied the reports, calling them "ridiculous."

"I work with the Americans, the Canadians, the British, anyone who asks for my help. They (CIA) do their own recruitment. I have no idea where they get their recruits. It's absolutely ridiculous," he told The Associated Press in Afghanistan.

The American government's alleged clandestine partnership with such a controversial figure, reports the newspaper, has complicated President Obama's decision on how to alter the U.S. war strategy in the country and created divisions within Mr. Obama's administration.

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As the senior U.S. military intelligence official in Afghanistan, Maj. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, told The Times: "If we are going to conduct a population-centric strategy in Afghanistan, and we are perceived as backing thugs, then we are just undermining ourselves."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused to confirm, comment on or directly pass judgment on Karzai's relationship with the CIA, but suggested the Obama administration would not endorse that sort of arrangement.

"This administration is, as you know, conducting a comprehensive assessment as to where we are. And every participant in any meeting that's happened here as part of that assessment understands that we have to have and must have a partner that addresses governance issues as we move forward," Gibbs said Wednesday.

(CBS)

Speaking Wednesday to CBS "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he had "heard that rumor before," and criticized the alleged cooperation with such a controversial figure.

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"I'm sure our military commanders there will disagree with it," said McCain, adding that it reveals a "possible lack of communication" between American military and intelligence operations in the Afghanistan.

"Karzai's brother should not be in the country," McCain added bluntly.

CBS News security analyst Juan Zarate told Smith that the timing of the New York Times report, "couldn't have been worse for the Obama administration."

"This undercuts any legitimate argument we were making about corruption in the Karzai regime," added Zarate.

According to the Times' report, Ahmed Wali Karzai has acknowledged cooperation with American officials, but denies receiving any payment from the Central Intelligence Agency, or involvement in the country's booming narcotics business.

Tucker Reals
Tucker Reals is a senior news editor and overnight site editor for CBSNews.com, based at CBS News' London bureau.

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by dallisman October 28, 2009 8:25 PM EDT: I wonder if Senator Kerry like Senator McCain heard about the brother drug lord and CIA payee and if so when did Senator Kerry know about it? Karzai's brother Ahmed Wali Karzai has probably been working against us for eight years by helping the Taliban. It is no doubt, why are Senior Civilian Representative for the U.S. Government and EX U.S. Marine Captain Matthew Hoh resigned his post in the Zabul Province. The resignation letter confirms the corruption and what he described as "unabashed graft". In another compelling view, the U.S. Marine Captain described the U.S. to be "encouraging an ideology and system of government unknown and unwanted by the Afghan people". Additionally, Mr. Hoh stated "the country has been in a civil war for
35 years. Islam is the only framework for governance in Afghanistan.
Sharia law will be the rule of law not are concept of rule of law and Iran, Pakistan, will send fighters if we send more troops and that may become a bloody truth because their all Islam. There are alot more of them than we can ever match and I think were going to get a bloody nose for sure.; Reply to this comment


by armyoftwelve October 28, 2009 7:06 PM EDT: He may be an S.O.B., but he's our S.O.B.

As if the taliban are amy better than this drug dealer...; Reply to this comment


by Biggest_Rick October 28, 2009 3:23 PM EDT: You have to wonder who would leak such a thing with elections in Afghanistan soon coming up. Gee isn't this kind of like an October Surprise to get a desired outcome in the election? I am very suspicious. Can't surrender in Afghanistan with the wrong guy in power now can you?; Reply to this comment


by ibsteve2u October 28, 2009 11:55 AM EDT: "...has been on the CIA payroll for at least eight years.."

Thinking some of our more infamous companies must operate as fronts for the CIA. Wherever they go, corruption follows - whether it be in their billing, or among the officials of the indigenous governments.

Yet they are never really called on it - which is why I suspect a quasi-governmental function on their part.; Reply to this comment

by missme4 October 28, 2009 11:38 AM EDT

CIA= Criminals Infesting America

The CIA is the biggest crime organization in the world. Drug traffickers, child sec traffickers, murderers, terrorists, torturers, black mailers and any thing else unimaginable.

Reply to this comment


by missme4 October 28, 2009 2:36 PM EDT: "If Karzai's brother was useful in getting the intelligence we need, so what? "

It is more likely that the he was more useful in getting the CIA heroin. Or were you not aware the CIA has been busted at least 2 times for transporting huge amounts of narcotics by air?


by Biggest_Rick October 28, 2009 3:28 PM EDT: LOL Criminals Infesting America? That is just too funny. And just where does this reliable information come from? The CIA is currently being run by Leon Panetta, you don't actually think he is a criminal now do you? I'm sure that will come as a surprise to his wife and family when he goes to prison for drug trafficing. What a stupid comment. CIA officers are like the military, they are apolitical people trying to gather intelligence to keep our country safe.

by babooph October 28, 2009 10:36 AM EDT

Drugs must stay illegal for the "right" people to profit from what should be cheap trash-it was always clear Karzai was just a stooge,like the S Nam "presidents" the US chose or dumped.....

Reply to this comment


by missme4 October 28, 2009 11:40 AM EDT: Righto! Legalize drugs and 90% of crime goes away.


by jwesel1 October 28, 2009 9:49 AM EDT: What's new? This has been British and now Jewish/American strategy to buy people, make them rulers of Muslim countries in name of democracy, Karzai, Arafat, Musharraf, Mubarak, Reza Shah, etc; Reply to this comment


by wyodutch October 28, 2009 8:12 AM EDT: As if the people of Afghanistan needed another reason to want us out of their country at any cost.
.; Reply to this comment