Corruption Ignored, Deplored In Afghanistan - NPR

Bribery and extortion — baksheesh and reshwat in the local language — have become routine.

"Ordinary Afghans must be convinced the powerful can no longer use their positions to make them wealthier," Eikenberry said.

Eikenberry pointed to the Sherpur district of Kabul, where, he said, "the appearance of luxurious mansions … many expensive cars parked inside, surrounded by private armed guards, is a very worrisome sign some Afghans are cheating their people while claiming to be in their service. A walk through Sherpur district in Kabul makes this very clear."

City Of Loot'. The roads in the Sherpur neighborhood are muddy and rutted, but everything else reflects wealth and affluence. Mirrored windows, enormous Greek columns and layer upon layer of gold leaf adorn the homes in this area. They belong to government ministers, warlords, suspected drug kingpins and contractors.

The Sherpur neighborhood is nicknamed "Chur-pour" — a play on words that means "City of Loot."

And Delesgues says the international community must share some of the blame for the soaring corruption in Afghanistan. He says it has had eight years to help Afghans set up accountability systems and encourage transparency, but has done neither. - Listen to the Story
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