U.S. and Afghan Attorney Generals Meet in Washington, DC
Afghanistan’s Attorney General Abdul Jabbar Sabit, Ambassador Said T. Jawad and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez met in October at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC to discuss Afghanistan’s efforts to fight corruption and narcotics. The two legal experts discussed methods of building Afghanistan’s institutional capacity—the ability to plan and execute policies and to enforce laws cleanly and transparently. Attorney General Sabit articulated the need for increased resources to improve local and district level governance, enhance the government’s capacity to prosecute criminals, and provide better equipment and training for the Afghanistan National Police force. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy states that the legal framework required under the constitution—including civil, criminal and commercial laws, and functioning institutions of justice—will be completed by the end of 2010. In a press conference in Kabul earlier this month, Attorney General Sabit told reporters, “I have two choices: either to eliminate corruption or to quit office…With the support of President and the parliament, I would continue my job for the larger interest of my country.”
In partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, the United States has rehabilitated 27 judicial facilities, trained approximately 500 judges, supported the Supreme Court in organizing an educational program for 335 judges and court administrators, and offered courses for 50 employees at the legislative drafting unit of the Ministry of Justice. Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy combines strengthening international and regional cooperation with eradication, law enforcement, alternative livelihoods alternative crop development for farmers, and judicial reform. During their meeting, Attorney General Sabit informed Attorney General Gonzales that Afghan counter-narcotics forces eradicated over 18,000 hectares of poppy fields this year. With increased international assistance and resources, Afghanistan is becoming increasingly more effective at fighting the war on drugs.
