KABUL- A bipartisan Congressional delegation expressed serious concerns Tuesday about Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s ability to halt corruption and clean up his weak government after meeting with the Afghan leader, but said they are now more confident in Gen. Stanley McChystal’s plan for fighting the Taliban.

“I came here with a healthy skepticism about sending more troops to Afghanistan,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY). “But after two days here, my comfort level with General McChrystal’s plan has increased immeasurably.”

President Barak Obama has ordered an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan to help implement Gen. McChrystal’s new strategy but questions remain about the reliability of the Afghan government – which is one of the most corrupt governments in the world.

Gen. McChrystal’s “plan requires a partner who can continue to demonstrate continued reforms, openness, transparency, accountability and credibility,” said Rep. Israel. “I continue to have some very serious and deep concerns about the importance of continue reforms by the government of President Karzai.”

The Afghan leader was re-appointed to a second term in November after his main challenger Dr. Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from a second round run-off election citing fraud and ballot stuffing in the first round.

Despite the chaos and problems surrounding Afghanistan’s August elections, the war torn country is scheduled to hold Parliamentary elections in May of 2010 – even though there haven’t been any substantial changes to the election system.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) said it is imperative to delay the Afghan parliamentary elections “until comprehensive election reform legislation can be passed and enacted.”

“The consensus here among the delegation,” said Rep. Pence, “is take the time to do the election right, rather than on time.”

Nonetheless, just hours after meeting with the U.S. Congressional delegation, President Karzai announced the spring elections would proceed as planned.

The delegation also included Democrats Jerry McNerney of California, Dan Maffei of New York and Brian Higgins of New York; and Republicans Aaron Schock of Illinois, Ed Whitfield of Kentucky and Cliff Sterns of Florida.