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Afghan Officials: Karzai to Keep Half His Cabinet

   Afghan  officials  say President Karzai is expected to keep about half
   of current cabinet, including 6 ministers supported by the West

   VOA News 18 December 2009
   
Photo: AFP

   Handout  photo  of  Afghan  President  Hamid Karzai speaking during an
   anti-corruption conference in Kabul on 15 Dec 2009

   Mr.  Karzai,  who  is beginning his second term, is due to present his
   selections  for the 25 posts on Saturday. The list is widely seen as a
   test   of   President  Karzai's  commitment  to  reform,  after  being
   re-elected in a disputed presidential vote in August.
   Western nations have been pressing Mr. Karzai to rid his government of
   corruption  and  have threatened to hold back troops and aid unless he
   does.
   The  nominees expected to retain their positions include the ministers
   of defense, interior, finance, foreign affairs, health and agriculture
   -- all well regarded by Mr. Karzai's Western allies.
   But  Afghan  officials  say President Karzai also plans to keep energy
   minister  Ismail  Khan,  who has been accused by Human Rights Watch of
   committing war crimes.
   In  a  separate development, Afghan officials say three civilians were
   killed  during  a  NATO  air strike against suspected militants in the
   country's south.
   Officials  say the civilians were traveling in a minibus late Thursday
   in  the  Shah  Wali  Kot district of Kandahar province, when they were
   attacked by helicopter gunships.
   NATO  says  the  attack  targeted militants planting explosive devices
   along  the  road.   The alliance says it is investigating the reported
   casualties.
   Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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