From Barbara Starr, CNN:  The commander of NATO’s international security force in Afghanistan sacked a senior U.S. Army general Friday for making disparaging comments about the Afghan government.

Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, said Major Gen. Peter Fuller was relieved of duty, effective immediately, for making "inappropriate public comments."

Fuller, who was helping train and equip Afghan security forces, made less-than-diplomatic comments about the Afghan government and its leaders to a Politico reporter, including claims that some Afghan leaders are "isolated from reality."

Politico quoted Fuller as criticizing Afghan President Hamid Karzai for saying Afghanistan would side with Pakistan against America in war.

"Why don’t you just poke me in the eye with a needle?" Fuller said. "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’?"

U.S. officials have said Karzai’s remarks were misunderstood.

Politico reported Fuller also as saying, in reference to Karzai, "when they are going to have a presidential election, you hope they get a guy that’s more articulate. . . ."

Fuller was the deputy commander of the NATO training mission in charge of programs. That put him in command of $11 billion in equipment, supplies, training and contracts.  (photo: Los Angeles Times)

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