Karzai Sworn in As Chairman of New Afghan Government

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 23, 2001

Karzai Sworn in As Chairman of New Afghan Government

Hamid Karzai Saturday was sworn in as the chairman of the Afghan interim government at a historic power-transfer ceremony held inside the yard of the Interior Ministry.

Hamid Karzai Saturday was sworn in as the chairman of the Afghan interim government at a historic power-transfer ceremony held inside the yard of the Interior Ministry.

"I will in earnest attempt to establish peace, security and stability," said Karzai in a speech at the ceremony, adding the rule of the gun and illegal check points in Afghanistan shall cease to exist.

"Peace and stability shall reign, the rule of law shall prevail,the free will of the Afghan people shall be supreme, and everyone shall be accorded equal status before the law," said the new leader.

He noted his primary objective is to protect and preserve the freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan will continue to cooperate with other sides to root out terrorism.

As to the women's role in Afghanistan, Karzai said that the newgovernment will "not only pay immense respect for Afghan women, but also will honer their full rights according to the law.

Karzai, appointed the leader of the six-month long interim government in the Bonn meeting, swore in the other 29 members of his cabinet, and two of whom are females.

He admitted that 23 years of war coupled with a three-year drought has destroyed infrastructure, disrupted society and impoverished the country's people and the whole nation.

The 44-year-old Pashtun tribal leader appealed for help from the United Nations and the international community in the reconstruction process, saying Afghanistan need "the full cooperation and assistance" of all compatriots to rebuild the nation, additionally "expect the assistance of our friends in the international community and the U.N."

He said he and his people are convinced that the international society will extend their assistance to help the country.

"Let's move rapidly beyond our sorrowful past, and embrace eachother to chart a new and bright future for the proud nation of Afghanistan," said the leader.

While delivering a speech at the ceremony, Northern Alliance chief Burhanuddin Rabbani said he remains more optimistic than before about the future of Afghanistan.

"I believe that the once endless agonies and miseries of the people of Afghanistan are nearing an end, and now peace, security and prosperity appear to be not too far for the people of Afghanistan," he said.

The former Afghan president invited all educated and intellectual Afghans, who due to unfortunate circumstances have sought refuge outside Afghanistan, to return home without any delay and actively take part in the reconstruction process of the country.

"I would like to take this opportunity to also invite all the neighbors of Afghanistan to open a new chapter in their relations with our country," he said.

"As for those who for reasons of their own caused problems for us, I would like to invite them to forget the past and embark upona new path of cooperative relationship with Afghanistan," he added.

U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi also expressed his high appreciation for the cooperative efforts by the Afghan factions.

"We all share the same goal to restore peace, ensure safety andstability and work hand-in-hand to rebuild Afghanistan," he said.

"The time has now come for both sides," he said, "to live up totheir commitment."

Chinese Gov't Greets Afghan PM Karzai

China Applauds Foundation of Afghan Interim Government: FM