Afghan Government Considers 'Action' Against Think Tank

The ICG has released a report critical of President Hamid Karzai, saying he seemed more interested in maintaining his personal power rather than ensuring the long-term stability of the country.

The Afghan government is considering action against the International Crisis Group (ICG), a private think tank based in Brussels.

Aimal Faizi, a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, said on November 5 that ICG's actions in Afghanistan "have been politically motivated and their assessments of the situation in the country lack credibility."

The ICG last month released a report critical of Karzai, saying he seemed more interested in maintaining his personal power rather than ensuring the long-term stability of the country.

The report by the independent think tank also said the Afghan state could collapse and civil war might ensue after the NATO withdrawal in 2014.

The ICG's Andrew Stroehlein told RFE/RL's Tajik Service that the group had "received no direct word on the matter from the Afghan authorities."

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa