How much you want to bet Bush isn't listening to him either?

IHT:

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives that his security forces need strengthening, as the two discussed possible U.S. troop increases, an Afghan official said.

Karzai stressed his desire for increased training and equipment for Afghanistan's fledgling army and police forces, the Afghan official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information publicly.

Nancy Pelosi, a Californian Democrat, and Karzai discussed plans announced last week by the Bush administration to ask Congress for US$10.6 billion for Afghanistan, a major increase aimed at rebuilding the country and strengthening government security forces still fighting the Taliban five years after the U.S.-led invasion.

About US$8.6 billion would be for training and equipping Afghan police and soldiers; US$2 billion would go toward reconstruction.