Afghanistan After Parliamentary Elections
Hyde Schedules Thursday Examination of U.S. Policy 

BACKGROUND:  The government of President Karzai is nearing the final stages of the political reconstruction process outlined in the 2001 Bonn Agreement.  Parliamentary and Provincial elections were held on Sunday that included 5,800 candidates in a process largely considered successful.  Post-election goals of the United States and Afghanistan are focused on rebuilding a viable and independent nation that is secure from terrorism and advancing along the path of sustainable development.  Additionally, both U.S. and Afghan leaders are focused on efforts to combat corruption and insecurity perpetuated by local warlords, whose roles in opium production and attacks against coalition forces and international aid workers undermine Afghan reconstruction and democratization.  Human rights and the condition of women have vastly improved since the end of Taliban power; however, Taliban and warlord sympathizers continue to lead campaigns of intimidation and terror as a means to reestablish their power bases. 

WHAT:                     Full Committee Oversight Hearing:
                                  United States Policy in Afghanistan: Establishing Democratic Governance and
                                  Security in the Wake of Parliamentary Elections
                                  U.S. Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL), Chairman

WHEN:                     10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 22, 2005

WHERE:                   Room 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

WITNESSES:           Maureen E. Quinn,
                                   Coordinator for Afghanistan, Bureau of South Asian Affairs,
                                   U.S. Department of State;
                                   Nancy J. Powell,
                                   Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs,
                                   U.S. Department of State; and
                                   Peter Rodman,
                                   Assistant Secretary of International Security Affairs,
                                   U.S. Department of Defense.