President Hamid Karzai admitted on Monday that his chief of staff had taken money from the Iranian government, confirming a report in The New York Times. He said the cash was used to pay for presidential expenses
His government will continue to receive the payments, which amount to no more than about a million dollars twice a year, he said at a news conference with President Emomali Rahmonov of Tajikistan, adding that the money is part of a relationship between neighbors.
“They have asked for good relations in return, and for lots of other things in return,” said President Karzai.
One hopes that no one is shocked by this report. Paying tribute in expectation of acquiescence or cooperation of some kind is the basis of a great deal of diplomacy, including the USA’s.