(Image source: rferl)

BY CHRISTINE SLUSSER

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has admitted to taking bags of money from the Iranian government-- creating obvious concerns in the West.  Some say, Mr. Karzai holding Iranian cash, can’t be a good sign.  Others say, it isn’t new -- let alone news.

We're analyzing coverage from The Christian Science Monitor, MSNBC, Commentary Magazine, CBS and The Times of Kabul.

Mr. Karzai told reporters he accepts large sums of money from Iran -- anywhere from $700-thousand to around $1-million -- once or twice a year to help with his ‘presidential expenses’. The Christian Science Monitor suggests it might not stop there -- Iranian money could also be landing in the hands of Afghan members of Parliament.

“That bald acknowledgment brings out into the open two uncomfortable facts confronting the US plan to build a modern democracy in Afghanistan. Just as in Iraq, Iran is successfully buying influence with Afghan leaders.”

MSNBC attended a press conference where Mr. Karzai admitted accepting money... which he says has been a well-known fact even when President Bush was in office.

HAMID KARZAI: “This is nothing hidden. We are grateful for the Iranian help in this regard. The United States is doing the same thing -- they’re providing cash to some of our offices. (flash) Ma’am it’s all the same - let’s not make this an issue.”

But SHOULD it be an issue?  Commentary Magazine is impressed with Mr. Karzai’s honesty, and says what Iran is doing isn’t all that different from the way the U.S. seeks to gain influence in other countries.

“[No one should be] shocked that the Iranians appear to be playing both sides of the street — giving both to Karzai and to the Taliban. In a way, what the Iranians are doing...is not that far removed from conventional foreign-aid programs run by the U.S., Britain, and other powers that also seek to curry influence with their donations.”

CBS reports the U.S. can’t really stop these transactions, but it also doesn’t have to fear Mr. Karzai switching sides. The Afghan president would find it difficult to remain in power without U.S. backing -- so Iran can really only buy so-much of Mr. Karzai’s influence...

“Iran is sending millions of dollars into the country to promote anti-U.S. sentiment. The money goes into the hands of Umar Daudzai, Chief-of-Staff to President Hamid Karzai. The cash reportedly gives Iranian ambassador Fada-Hossein Maleki preferential access to Karzai’s inner circle.”

And The Times of Kabul says, it’s best NOT to over-react -- suggesting President Karzai is the best of the worst.

“Obviously Mr. Karzai has no backing among the people of Afghanistan. If the Americans leave, he will probably be found hanging from the same lamp post where his Soviet backed predecessor ... was found hanging.”

So what do you think? Should the U.S. be worried? Or is this just how business gets done in Afghanistan?