Monitors on the Take

Afghans complain that corruption is woven into reconstruction efforts. Even monitors hired to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are not ripped off can become part of the problem.

The primary U.S. contractor for schools and clinics, Louis Berger Group Inc., subcontracted work on 28 buildings to the Reconstruction Development Association in Kabul. Berger hired CHF International, a global nonprofit relief agency based in Silver Spring, to visit construction sites and regularly file progress reports.

In late 2003, after a CHF monitor asked for money in exchange for positive reports, an association engineer rigged a camera behind a potted plant at his office. On the resulting video, obtained by The Washington Post, an engineer named Faisel shuffles into a room along with three unidentified men from the monitoring program. As they ease into rattan chairs, one adjusts his flowing blue tunic and fingers a string of prayer beads. A voice intones: "We will agree, God willing."

Faisel: Engineer Ghullam Mohammad is asking for $50,000?

Voice 2: Yes.

Faisel: Please ask yourself, does this kind of project earn $50,000 for us to pay you $50,000?

Voice 2: ... We don't want the money from you but from the project.

Faisel: ... You want some sweets ["shirnee," Afghan slang for a bribe], we will give you sweets. If you say that you want some of it that we earn, that's also okay. Please don't be cruel. . . . Another point ... if we give you 50,000, how are we going to do the work?

Voice 2: As you like, sir. You can work as you wish.

Faisel: How is my wish? If I say to make the foundation 20 centimeters instead of 150 centimeters, would you allow me?

Voice 2: Yes, we have done the same thing in the same area.

Voice 3: We have already agreed to this point.