Karzai tries to please backers with new Afghan cabinet
Sunday, 20 December 2009
KABUL, Dec 19 (AFP): President Hamid Karzai unveiled his choice of cabinet Saturday, reflecting a need to please all his backers from warlords to Washington and commit to clean government.
The names of 23 Karzai nominees for ministerial posts were presented to parliament for approval and will be debated in the coming days in a bid to end months of political paralysis following a controversial August election.
As the minister of parliamentary affairs, Anwar Khan Jigdalik, read out the list, each nominee strode to the front of the chamber to present himself, some waving and bowing.
Karzai's choices are seen as the first test of his commitment to building a clean and accountable government, and eradicating the corruption infesting every level of life in Afghanistan and helping to fuel a Taliban insurgency.
The names of 23 Karzai nominees for ministerial posts were presented to parliament for approval and will be debated in the coming days in a bid to end months of political paralysis following a controversial August election.
As the minister of parliamentary affairs, Anwar Khan Jigdalik, read out the list, each nominee strode to the front of the chamber to present himself, some waving and bowing.
Karzai's choices are seen as the first test of his commitment to building a clean and accountable government, and eradicating the corruption infesting every level of life in Afghanistan and helping to fuel a Taliban insurgency.