U. S. Contractors Bribing Afghan Taliban for Safe Passage

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 21 2010

[worst-case scenario]

rivate security contractors protecting the convoys that supply U.S. military bases in Afghanistan are paying millions of dollars a week in “passage bribes” to the Taliban and other insurgent groups to travel along Afghan roads, a congressional investigation released Monday has found.

The alleged payments, which are reimbursed by the U.S. government, help fund the very enemy the U.S. is attempting to defeat and renew questions about the U.S. dependence on private contractors, who outnumber American troops in Afghanistan, 130,000 to 93,000.

The report's author called the findings of the six-month investigation “sobering and shocking.”

“This arrangement has fueled a vast protection racket run by shadowy network of warlords, strongmen, commanders, corrupt Afghan officials, and perhaps others,” wrote Rep. John F. Tierney (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House subcommittee on national security and foreign affairs. “Not only does the system run afoul of the [Defense] Department's own rules and regulations mandated by Congress, it also appears to risk undermining the U.S. strategy for achieving its goals in Afghanistan.”

[worst-case scenario]

We pay billions of dollars and our brave soldiers are dying - for what? To fight the Taliban that has been bribed with American taxpayers *own money*? This is an outrage!

Why don't we just end the war and bribe the whole country directly? It would save some soldiers' lives! We could give every man, woman and child $3600 next year - that's would be the 100 billion we expect it to cost.

Damn - I thought we used contractors because they were cheaper.

[Wolfie]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that much of that money is just being pocketed by the contractors. “Paying the Taliban” is just a convenient black hole to blame.

[Leo Carpathian]

...U.S. dependence on private contractors, who outnumber American troops in Afghanistan, 130,000 to 93,000.

WTFFFFF???

[worst-case scenario]

That’s been going on since the war began, all nine bleepin’ years of it - but it got past the 50% mark since 2007.

And 75% of them are locals - schlubs hired by the mercs to drive, fetch, translate, etc.

[Leisler]

These wars should be fought by private armies anyways. Get the oil, mineral companies to buy/pay off one crew against another crew.

Anyone ‘who really cares’, give them a free ticket, and phrase book and a body bag.

[TheBattman]

So - how long has this been going on? Is it a fairly recent problem erupting under the failed policies of the Obama administration? Or does this go back to GW?

If US tax dollars were being funneled to terrorists, then WHOEVER was in charge of that $$ should be sent to Gitmo... contractors, military, or administration...

[worst-case scenario]

Just don’t fight them on the taxpayer’s dime, if it’s all about the oil and gas and minerals. I thought the whole reason we were there was because the Taliban supported Al Qaeda, who attacked us on 9/11. If we’re done with that as a reason, then let’s get the h3ll out and save the $100 billion.

Heaven knows our budget could stand the break. Put some of it back into the VA.

[dalebert]

helping taliban make a living...

[himno hero]

This is another Barack sham. And dont slap or shoot any of those taliban!

For Barack? Its a welcomed cash drain to further weaken the US.

[worst-case scenario]

Apparently it’s a “policy of long standing” - that means back to GW. Maybe this Congressional committee will release more testimony. (Not that what they’ve released already has gotten much MSM coverage - has Fox picked up this info yet?)

Dollars to donuts the contractors all have air-tight contracts that indemnifies them from prosecution for any actions they perform in the field. No Gitmo for them.

[Merlinator]

Bullets and a few well placed bombs would be cheaper.

[Mtn Pass]

This crap was going on under George Bush. After we killed enough people for payback for 9/11 we should have brought our troops home. Imagine if we would have brought our troops home after the second year and put all of this money and manpower on our southern border with Mexico. The Afghan war is now about nation building. We never learn from history.

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting. Interesting.

[Sacajaweau]

Just like Mexico....

[Still Thinking]

Well, when you’re not allowed to shoot them, what other alternative is there?

[ScottinVA]

To hell with Afghanistan anyway. We need troops on our southern border. Let’s bomb our way out of there... now.

[BilLies]

Maybe we should see the Report first before passing judgment.
The investigation was prompted by the Nation, a periodical that still defends the notion that Alger Hiss was not a spy.
From the history I have read, these type of payments, whether by the military or contractors, are not unusual if you want to get the job done.
For the Nation's take on the Report see link below.

http://www.thenation.com/article/36493/congressional-investigation-confirms-us-military-funds-afghan-warlords