Afghan President Hamid Karzai has confirmed his office received money from the U.S. government.
His comments were made April 29 in Finland and issued in a written statement by Karzai's office.
They follow a report the same day in "The New York Times" claiming the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had paid millions of dollars in cash to Karzai's office in the last 10 years.
The statement said the amount "was not big, rather it was small," and that the funds were spent for "operation objectives, helping wounded and sick [people],” and other good causes.
Karzai called the assistance “very productive.”
"The New York Times" quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that the money was meant to buy the CIA influence but instead fueled corruption and empowered warlords, thereby undermining Washington’s exit strategy from Afghanistan.
His comments were made April 29 in Finland and issued in a written statement by Karzai's office.
They follow a report the same day in "The New York Times" claiming the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had paid millions of dollars in cash to Karzai's office in the last 10 years.
The statement said the amount "was not big, rather it was small," and that the funds were spent for "operation objectives, helping wounded and sick [people],” and other good causes.
Karzai called the assistance “very productive.”
"The New York Times" quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that the money was meant to buy the CIA influence but instead fueled corruption and empowered warlords, thereby undermining Washington’s exit strategy from Afghanistan.