Reply #61: WikiLeaks: Afghan vice-president 'landed in Dubai with $52m in cash'

[Demeter]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/02/wikileaks-elite-afghans-millions-cash

Ambassador in Kabul reports pervasive 'wealth extraction' by establishment and apparent powerlessness of US to stop it


Palm Jumeirah in Dubai where the Kabul Bank chairman, Sher Khan Farnood, owns 39 properties, according to WikiLeaks cables. Photograph: PA

.....The cable records that exporting cash is encouraged by the fact that "drug traffickers, corrupt officials and to a large extent licit business owners do not benefit from keeping millions of dollars in Afghanistan and instead are motivated to move value into accounts and investments outside of Afghanistan"...

The cable adds: "Many other notable private individuals and public officials maintain assets (primarily property) outside Afghanistan, suggesting these individuals are extracting as much wealth as possible while conditions permit."