|
It's Working: Warlord opponent wins parliament seat in Afganistan
A 27-year-old woman and defiant critic of Afghanistan's powerful warlords won one of the first seats declared yesterday in provisional results from landmark parliamentary elections, a key step in the nation's transition to democracy. "I'm very happy and thankful for Afghan men and women who voted for me," said Malalai Joya, a women's rights worker from Farah, who won one of her province's five seats in the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga, the national assembly. "My first priorities when I go to parliament will be peace, security and stability, and to collect all the guns from warlords," she said. Miss Joya rose to prominence by denouncing powerful warlords at a post-Taliban constitutional convention two years ago. Despite concerted United Nations-backed efforts to disarm militia leaders, they remain a dominant force in much of Afghanistan. Posted by: Captain America 2005-10-07 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=131591 |