MyUSTINET News: Crisis In Afghanistan Coming, Report Says

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Government corruption and increased militant violence are leading Afghanistan in a downward spiral, a classified U.S. intelligence report says.

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The report casts doubt on the ability of the Afghan government to counter the rise of the Taliban's influence, officials familiar with the document told The New York Times.

The report is a nearly completed version of a National Intelligence Estimate, scheduled to be finished after the Nov. 4 elections, the Times reported Thursday. U.S. officials said intelligence agencies also were developing an assessment on Pakistan, also available after next month's election.

Because of the bleak assessment, the White House has begun a review of Afghanistan policy, to be completed in the next few weeks, The Washington Post reported.

The Afghanistan report cited gains in building the country's national army, officials said, However, it outlined the destabilizing impact of the booming heroin trade, concern that Afghan President Hamid Karzai can't or won't stem government corruption as well as cross-border attacks by militants in neighboring Pakistan.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe declined to comment on the report, but said, "Everyone understands that the current situation in Afghanistan is a tough one. That's why the president ordered additional troops there. That's why we're increasing the size of the Afghanistan army."

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