Posted on 12/22/2001 1:37:30 PM PST by Shermy
Best description of Inauguration ceremony here. Plus pics of Karzai. Is he the world's best dressed man? A clothes horse? A secret agent for the Italian Fashion industry? Tell me what you think.
Oh, and here's a story to make this thread "newsworthy."
"Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai took office in an emotional ceremony Saturday and vowed to bring peace to the war-devastated country seeking to leave behind more than two decades of conflict.
Less than a month after the downfall of the Taliban and with US forces still hunting terror suspect Osama bin Laden in the country, Karzai took an oath of office before 2,000 warlords, tribal chiefs, past and present government leaders, UN officials and ministers from several countries.
With many mujahedin fighters in tears, Karzai embraced outgoing president Burhanuddin Rabbani in the first peaceful transfer of power in decades between recognised Afghan governments.
Karzai, dressed in a green and blue robe, pledged in his oath to "work hard for the unity of Afghanistan and peace and a better life for our people and for the reconstruction of the country."
But he admitted that Afghanistan could not rebuild alone. "We should put our hands together to forget the painful past; as brothers and sisters we should go forward to a new Afghanistan together," he said.
"Our country has had destruction in all aspects of life. We need a new beginning which will need hard work from all Afghans."
He added: "Our country is in need of the support of the United Nations and all friendly countries. We hope they will help us."
Symbolically, he spoke in his native Pashtun but read a poem in Dari, the language widely spoken among the victorious Northern Alliance.
Karzai later told reporters his new 29-member cabinet, which includes two women, would meet on Sunday to tackle the monumental task of rebuilding the country and kick-starting the economy. He also said the government would consider setting up a special commission to investigate war crimes.
"We are going after all those Taliban who have been criminals," Karzai said. "If you go to other parts of Afghanistan you will see what they have down to our people. They will be taken to court and our people will see justice."
Karzai, an ethnic Pashtun royalist, arrived at the interior ministry for the historic event surrounded by Northern Alliance troops in a reminder of the years of conflict that have brought the country to its knees.
But UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, told the ceremony the inauguration marked "a momentous day for Afghanistan" after "years of bitter conflict and war".
Rival factions agreed to the new administration and the operation of a British-led international security force this month after the Taliban's collapse under relentless US air raids and ground assaults from Northern Alliance troops. The Taliban regime was never recognised by the United Nations...[READ MORE AT LINK ABOVE]
King looks like a older suave Italian gentleman
Karzai's Brother Mahmood, in Emeril garb, an American restauranteur
Article on Karzai's family in America "From Statesmanship to Capitalism, Afghan Family Leads"
That blue and green cloak he wears. I've seen nothing like it worn by any other Afghan. Is it Afghan? An Italian version of something Afghan? What a Seattle deacon wears on NFL football Sundays to show his support for the Seahawks???
Holy Christmas, have we been infiltrated by MONICA LEWINSKY? Dig the robe though, too bad we can't dress like that around here.
I'd rather look at him any day of the week than ever see the likes of bin laden or his mullahs ever again and Merry Christmas.
Oooohh...very snippy! For the record, its just the response of someone who thinks only a woman who admire Karzai's "power" base could love that mug, lol...
Story, March 13: Moscow Times-Karzai Asks Putin for Aid
On February 24, 1996, three light aircraft left Miami on a routine flight. Their missions, to search the waters off the Florida Coast for rafters trying to reach the US shores, and bring them help by guiding the US Coast Guard to their location. That day in February, only one plane would return to its home base in Miami.
Tune in to Radio FreeRepublic this Thursday, March 14, at 9 PM EST, and listen to the actual sounds of a terrorist in action, murdering unarmed American citizens.
Sr. José Basulto, founder of Brothers to the Rescue and pilot of the surviving Cessna, will shed light on the events of that day, and detail how the Clinton administration withheld advanced knowledge of the attack from the humanitarian volunteer group, helping seal the fate of these four courageous flyers.
Radio FreeRepublic, fearless talk radio.
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