Talk to Taliban, say Afghans, as corruption fears grow

AN OVERWHELMING majority of Afghans support talks with the Taliban and an increasing number believe that the country is heading in the right direction.

However, the latest survey of opinion in Afghanistan also finds a sharp rise in concerns over corruption. Most Afghans believe that graft is a major problem in every area of their lives and at every level of government, according to the poll by the Asia Foundation.

Its publication came as the Afghan Government dropped corruption charges against an aide to President Karzai. Mohammad Zia Salehi, a senior official in Mr Karzai's National Security Council, was arrested in July after he was caught on a wiretap soliciting a bribe.

While the Afghan Army attracts some measure of confidence from 91per cent of those asked, just 54 per cent say they trust the Afghan Government and international bodies. Less than half - 47per cent - of Afghans believe that the country is on the right track, though this is up from 42 per cent the year before, and from 38per cent in 2008. Better security is the main reason, with reconstruction and education for girls also cited.

However, among those who are pessimistic, the number citing worsening security has increased, despite the troop surge. Unemployment and corruption are also cited. The latter shows a sharp jump from 17 to 27 per cent in the latest survey, carried out by the non-profit body with funding from the US Government.

"Respondents were asked whether they think corruption is a major problem, a minor problem or no problem at all in their daily life, their neighbourhood, their local authorities, their provincial government and in Afghanistan as a whole," the report says. "The survey shows that the majority of Afghans think that corruption is a major problem in all facets of life and at all levels of government."

There has also been a significant increase in the number of people who support talks with insurgents and the reintegration of armed groups. As many as 83per cent back the Afghan Government's attempts at negotiations, with support strongest in the east, south-east and north-west of the country where the fighting is most intense.

The findings suggest "that an increasing proportion of the Afghan public is in favour of a political solution to the ongoing conflict in the country rather than a purely military one". There is less enthusiasm among women for talks: 20per cent oppose the negotiations compared with only 12per cent of men, possibly reflecting fears of a future government that includes Taliban elements.

The survey interviewed 6,467 Afghans aged over 18, and was carried out from June 18 to July 5 in all 34 provinces, although polling in some dangerous areas was not possible.

Afghanistan has ordered about 150 aid groups, including four foreign organisations, to shut down for failing to submit reports on their projects and finances, a government official said yesterday.

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