CLINTON ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN FOR KARZAI INAUGURATION

18.11.2009 [21:15]
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Baku, November 18 (AZERTAC). In her first visit to Afghanistan as America`s top diplomat, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the country Wednesday to meet with Afghan leaders on the eve of President Hamid Karzai`s inauguration.

Clinton, who plans to attend Thursday`s inauguration, will also meet with Gen. Stanley McChystal, the top U.S. commander on the ground. The visit comes as President Obama works to finalize a decision on whether to send tens of thousands of additional troops to the country.

Karzai is under stiff pressure from the U.S. and other nations to fight pervasive corruption in his government. Clinton - one of more than 40 dignitaries from the U.S., Europe and other countries scheduled to attend the inauguration - has said the U.S. will not provide civilian aid to Afghanistan unless it can be sure the government can be accountable for the funds.

For his part, Karzai complains that foreign aid is being wasted before it ever gets to the Afghan people.

Security is being tightened in the capital for the inauguration, which could be a target for militants.

CLINTON ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN FOR KARZAI INAUGURATION

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