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Shukria Barakzai, a member of Afghanistan’s parliament and a supporter of President Hamid Karzai, tells host Marco Werman how she thinks Afghanistan’s president should go about eradicating corruption in her homeland.
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MARCO WERMAN: Shukrai Barakzai is a member of Afghanistan’s parliament. Ms. Barakzai as we’ve just heard President Karzai is promising to eradicate “the stain of corruption.” Those are Mr. Karzai’s words. That has tainted his country and government. Explain to us just how he’s going to do that.
SHUKRAI BARAKZAI: We need to make modern laws to stopping corruption. A special court even somehow for corrupt people and the most important one, the law must replace the culture of impunity in Afghanistan and everyone must be prosecuted by the law. It doesn’t matter if anyone is president’s family member or somebody ordinary people in Afghanistan. According to the law everyone is equal and we have to enforce law.
WERMAN: Well I don’t want to dwell on this but the perception internationally is that Mr. Karzai is corrupt. That is a major problem isn’t it?
BARAKZAI: What is the legitimacy for government? It’s not only the international community which is they are giving legitimacy for the government. Although to date President Karzai he got lots of messages from around the world including the President Obama [INDISCERNIBLE]. But another legitimacy which is coming from the people it’s the government to providing services. To provide service and assisting people and taking responsibility and asking people and citizens to be responsible. It’s also a sign of legitimacy.
WERMAN: Many say that to set a positive example in the fight against corruption President Karzai should start with his own family. We’ve all heard the reports linking Hamid Walli Karzai, the president’s brother, to the opium trade. Should the president sever ties with his brother?
BARAKZAI: I think I as a lawmaker I can’t blame anyone because of a family. I can’t blame Karzai because of Walli Karzai. As he mentioned today he should work beyond his family for the nation.
WERMAN: And so even though you are a supporter of President Karzai you believe then that his brother should not be immune from the law and should be investigated as to his lengths with the opium trade.
BARAKZAI: Nobody, nobody including the president himself. This is the crystal clear article in Afghan constitution. All civilians are equal to the law.
WERMAN: Okay that … .
BARAKZAI: Crime is crime.
WERMAN: That civilians, you mentioned a special court. What about President Karzai’s ties with people like General Abdul Rashid Dostum? He’s accused of killing thousands of Taliban prisoners of war in 2001. Should the new government put him and other warlords on trial?
BARAKZAI: I wish to see all warlords, not only Dostum. Dostum is not the only warlord. Even those whom they are supporting American, direct and indirectly until today in Afghanistan, they must be responsible for those crimes which they did in Afghanistan.
WERMAN: Ms. Barakzai, as a member of Afghanistan’s parliament and a Karzai supporter I presume you’ve had meetings with Karzai and corruption comes up. What’s his response to how you feel this transparency should occur?
BARAKZAI: I am a Karzai supporter no doubt. Why I support him? Because I believe still Karzai is better than Abdullah. But it not necessarily means that I’m supporting all Karzai’s agenda. Since eight years I’m tired enough from making a loud voice for the not choosing corrupt people and implementing the rule of law must be the top priority. Karzai himself as a person, as an individual, always welcoming this idea. But unfortunately the palace mafia and Karzai office and outside of their office [INDISCERNIBLE] allow those real voice from the people. Therefore Karzai as a president sometimes he’s not really receiving the right information about the people.
WERMAN: Shukrai Barakzai is a member of Afghanistan’s parliament and a Hamid Karzai supporter. Thank you so much for your time Ms. Barakzai.
BARAKZAI: Thank you very much.
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