Stolen US Military Computers in Afghanistan Reveal Some Interesting Information

As I mentioned here on Monday, it appears that a trip to an Afghan bazaar was a sure bet for picking up US military secrets in the form of stolen computer drives.

Thursday's Independent tells us what was on some of those "memory sticks" and it looks like somebody's got some explaining to do:

One of the most potentially damaging files, which was bought unwittingly by an Afghan journalist, names senior Afghan ministers whom US intelligence agencies believe to be drug smugglers. Described as "Tier One Warlords", they include Marshal Mohammad Fahim, former defence minister and now a member of the upper house of the Afghan parliament; General Rashid Dostum, Chief of Staff of the army; and General Mohammad Daoud,presently the Interior Minister for Counter-Narcotics. The Interior Ministry has refused to comment.

Apparently, they were previously aware of the allegations and have denied them.

Democracy seems to have stalled in its march to Afghanistan:

Another file includes a list of 12 senior provincial officials the US wants removed from office. These include provincial governors and police chiefs believed to be involved with the drugs trade or supporters of the Taliban.

The Independent names names:

Mr Akhundzada was given a seat in Afghanistan's new upper house of parliament by President Karzai in December, shortly after 10 tons of opium were found stored in his offices.

I guess that's the Karzai's equivalent of Bush's gift of the Medal of Freedom to George "slam dunk" Tenet for his brilliant work on pre-Iraq war intelligence.

And, who's responsible for making this secret information available to the bazaar shoppers?

Despite checks on all workers coming on or off the base, the bazaar is well known as a repository for equipment and goods stolen by Afghan workers or sold on the black market by US servicemen or contractors.

Ouch.