In nod to U.S., Karzai to keep current ministers in top cabinet jobs - washingtonpost

KABUL -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans to keep current ministers in top positions of his new cabinet, a decision that has pleased Washington and other Western allies pressuring him to curb corruption and favoritism.

In addition to Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Interior Minister Hanif Atmar, the ministers of agriculture, finance, intelligence and education are to remain in office. All of them were given a U.S. stamp of approval by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton when she attended Karzai's inauguration here last month. - In nod to U.S., Karzai to keep current ministers in top cabinet jobs