Guards in Kabul Accused of Hiring Prostitutes, Abusing Afghans
Guards at the embassy in Kabul have been accused by the Project for Government Oversight of threatening staff security and US reputation once again by grave misconduct. Hiring prostitutes and abusing Afghanis are among alleged abuses.
Sally Hodgson
U.S. Ambassador Robert P. Finn, at the podium, addressing a crowd of 250 high-ranking Afghan government officials, foreign diplomats and aid workers at a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan marking the U.S. Independence Day. The celebration was held a day early, on July 3, because of security concerns and represented the first time the holiday has been celebrated in Kabul in 13 years. The Ambassador is flanked on the left by Fauzia Aziz, an adminstrative assistant at the U.S. Embassy, and on the righ
writes to Hillary Clinton that abuses by guards at the Embassy threatens the security of the Embassy itself and reports how a number of staff have left rather than be threatened by potential bombing and misconduct that puts lives at risk. Serious misconduct of the guards, according to POGO has created high staff turnover and a breakdown of discipline and morale among the guards. In addition, rocket fire has come close to the Embassy, and POGO states a spokesman declares the intention of the terrorists to destroy it.
Many guards have either been fired or quit because of the misconduct, according to POGO. Those guards who commit abuses, however, are not being held accountable, and this has concerned POGO enough to report the problem to Clinton.
The following constitute a list of POGO’s concerns:
1. Staffing problems, including high turnover and staff shortages
2. Communication barriers among guards who speak no common language
3. Supervisors involved in hazing and humiliation who get involved in alcohol binges and bring prostitutes onto the base
4. Victimization of Afghan nationals including humiliation and alcohol abuse
5. Guards compromising security in a variety of ways, including personal misconduct both on and off base
6. Lack of oversight
7. Inherent problems in having private contractors that don’t accept government oversight or responsibility
POGO is calling for a complete investigation of the issues in Kabul and for the Department of State to immediate order military supervision of the guards to prevent further breakdown and compromise of the embassy.
The State Department has already undertaken an inquiry into the abuses reported by POGO according to the
Sun Times. Drunkenness and bringing prostitutes on Embassy grounds are among a series of abuses being investigated.
"We expect to see prompt and effective action taken as a result of these investigations," the spokesman from the State Department, Ian C. Kelly, told reporters. In addition, other actions are being considered that include rebidding the contract, replacing certain guards and supervisors and providing direct military oversight. A team from the State Department is said to be preparing to go to Kabul to investigate the allegations of misconduct and abuse at the Embassy.
The Miami Herald, which also has reported on the Embassy events and allegations, points out how Wackenhut Services, ArmorGroup North America's parent company, has not responded to requests for comment. The newspaper also quotes Danielle Brian, the Project on Government Oversight's executive director, who said Wednesday that Congress, not the State Department, should do the investigation. She goes on to declare.
"I do not have faith that the State Department will do a good job because they are equal partners in the problem," she said. "They've let this happen."
