KABUL AFGHANISTAN Under extreme pressure from the US and others, the Afghanistan government of President Hamid Karzai unveiled today an anti-corruption unit and a major crime-fighting unit.

“Corruption is the cancer that is destroying lives, said Afghan Justice Minister Sarwar Danish.

Afghanistan expert Gareth Price told Fox News that it was “important the government recognize the problem.”

As the US mulls a new Afghan strategy, improvements in what is considered to be a corruption-riven government is a key demand. US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, who attended the press conference with Afghan officials warned however, “Words are cheap. Deeds are needed.”

This, in fact, is the third such anti-corruption effort in recent years. As Afghan expert Price reminded Fox, it remains an intractable problem. “Even if they are serious, fighting corruption is a hard thing to do,” Price said.

Today’s announcement comes just days before the embattle Karzai is inaugurated for a second term in office.