U.S. general fired for comments on Afghans

WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has fired a senior officer from his job as the No. 2 general in charge of training for making inappropriate public remarks about Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his government.

Gen. John Allen issued a statement Friday saying that Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller has been relieved of his duties as deputy commander for the Afghan training mission.

In a recent interview with the website Politico, Fuller characterized Afghan leaders as erratic, ungrateful and isolated from reality.

Referring to Karzai's recent assertion that Afghanistan would side with Pakistan if Pakistan got into a war with the United States, Fuller was quoted as calling the comments "erratic," adding, "Why don't you just poke me in the eye with a needle! You've got to be kidding me. I'm sorry, we just gave you $11.6 billion and now you're telling me, I don't really care?"

Fuller said the Afghans have at times made unreasonable requests for U.S. assistance.

"You can teach a man how to fish, or you can give them a fish," Fuller was quoted as saying. "We're giving them fish while they're learning, and they want more fish! [They say,] 'I like swordfish, how come you're giving me cod?' Guess what? Cod's on the menu today."

Fuller also said the Afghans don't understand the extent to which the United States is in economic distress or the "sacrifices that America is making to provide for their security." He said the Afghans are "isolated from reality."

Allen said the "unfortunate comments" don't represent the solid U.S. relationship with the Afghan government.

There was no indication whether Fuller will be reassigned or if he would retire.