Legally Speaking....Obama promises Afghanistan more aid

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama has given Afghan President Hamid Karzai assurances that the United States would send more aid and pay more attention to his war-torn country during his administration, according to Karzai's office.

Farhad Peikar, the author of the article, was careful to recall President-Elect Obama's initial criticism of the Karzai-led government.

In an interview with CNN last July, Obama criticized Karzai's government saying it "has not gotten out of the bunker and helped organize Afghanistan and (the) government, the judiciary, police forces, in ways that would give people confidence."

As a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, 02-03, it's unconscionable to think that the stagnant growth concept of two steps forward and one step back is still going on. I agree with Mr. Obama's assessment of the situation in Kabul. Often times, it seems as if Karzai only focuses on organization in his major metros like Bagram, Kabul, and Khandahar, while allowing the other heavily nomadic lands to go decentralized.

While in Afghanistan, I grew to appreciate the citizenry with their amazing history and culture. I believe Mr. Obama should and will aid the Afghans but I believe that he should have guidelines coupled with periodic evaluations that allow the U.S. to accurately assess the effect of our aid. Talk about CHANGE!

Legally speaking, I believe that Mr. Obama should allow his State Department to utilize Provincial Reconstruction Teams (Attorneys, Doctors, Police, local politicians-- legislators & city councilpersons) whom would serve as civic counselors and advisors to the Karzai government in the underserved provinces.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/afghanistan.karzai.obama/index.html