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Hillary Clinton: Corruption isn't just Afghan problem; reveals $500 million in new aid for Pakistan

MSNBC 07/19/2010 15:39
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton


The Obama administration is pressing for better efforts to combat corruption in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday as she flew into the country for an international conference on the war, reconstruction and development.



Clinton landed in Kabul on Monday after two days of talks in neighboring Pakistan where she pushed officials to work more closely with the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the fight against extremists.

Afghan officials are expected to present their plans to improve security and implement reforms at Tuesday's conference.

Before landing, Clinton told reporters the Kabul conference "is going to show more Afghan ownership and leadership, which is something we've been pushing."

Clinton said that she is concerned about reports of the diversion of U.S. aid, but said the problem isn't just with the Afghan government.

"We also have to take our hard look at ourselves because it is very clear our presence, all of our contracting has fed that problem," she said. "This is not just an Afghan problem, it's an international issue. We have to do a better job of trying to more carefully channel and monitor our own aid."

She said the U.S. is "pressing the Afghan government at all levels to be more accountable, to go after corruption," but that the U.S. also had a responsibility to improve management of its programs.