Afghan new administration to fight corruption: Vice President Khalili

Afghanistan's Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili on Wednesday termed corruption as the main cause for all social evils and vowed that new administration would fight the menace tooth and nail.

"We are determined to fight corruption with all possible means in the next administration," Khalili told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Describing corruption as the root cause of all social problems, the Afghan dignitary said that the "menace of corruption is worse than terrorism and poppy cultivation."

Khalili, who served as second Vice President over the past five years would remain in the same post for the next five years in President Hamid Karzai's next administration expected to be formed within weeks.

Afghans have enormously suffered from corruption within the government bodies run by president Karzai over the past eight years, according to media reports.

U.S. and its allied nations would press Karzai's next government to crack down on corrupt elements and act fast on tackling corruption and bringing about good governance, media reports said.

Khalili acknowledged the existence of corruption in the administration, but emphasized the issue "should not be politicized."

He stressed that corruption exists in "both Afghan government bodies and international agencies," in Afghanistan and stressed for joint struggle.

"Fighting terrorism, fighting corruption and strengthening democracy require joint efforts of both Afghans and the international community, and we are partners in this field," Khalili maintained.

Replying a question, the Afghan Vice President urged China to invest more in the rebuilding process of the post-conflict Afghanistan by saying, "we want all the friendly and neighborly countries, particularly our successful friend China, to invest in the field of mine exploration and road building."

China has already begun work for the giant 3.5 billion U.S. dollars exploration project of cooper mine in Ainak area of Logar province.

Khalili hoped that Chinese companies can win bidding on iron mine in Hajjigak area of central Bamyan province in the near future.

When his opinion was sought towards China's media, the Afghan Vice President said that Chinese media outlets were impartial towards Afghanistan.

"We have never seen anything biased and negative from China's media so far," Afghan Vice President emphasized.

Source: Xinhua