Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Afghan Lawmakers Reject Former Warlord Nominated for Cabinet

   The  Afghan  parliament  has rejected a former warlord President Hamid
   Karzai  had nominated to serve a second term as Energy Minister in his
   new  Cabinet.  Secret  ballots  cast by members of parliament Saturday
   turned  down  Ismail  Khan, a former governor of Herat province who is
   accused of human rights abuses.

   VOA News 02 January 2010
   Afghan parliament members vote during a debate in Kabul, 02 Jan 2010

Photo: AP

   Afghan parliament members vote during a debate in Kabul, 02 Jan 2010

   The  Afghan  parliament  has rejected a former warlord President Hamid
   Karzai  had nominated to serve a second term as Energy Minister in his
   new Cabinet.
   Secret  ballots  cast  by  members  of parliament Saturday turned down
   Ismail  Khan,  a  former  governor of Herat province who is accused of
   human rights abuses.
   In the 1980s, Khan fought the Soviets and later earned a reputation as
   a hero for fighting the Taliban and escaping a Taliban prison in 2000.
   But  human rights groups say Khan ruled Herat like a tyrant, torturing
   and beating his opponents.
   President  Karzai has defended Khan and all of his 24 Cabinet choices,
   saying they represent all of Afghanistan.
   Members  of  parliament  also rejected Mr. Karzai's nominee for Health
   Minister, Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimi.
   Also  Saturday, the Afghan Election Commission announced parliamentary
   elections will take place on May 22, despite international pressure to
   postpone  the  polls  until  the  government addresses corruption that
   marred last August's presidential vote.
   In  eastern  Khost  province,  the  international  security  force  in
   Afghanistan  said  it captured a cell leader of the Haqqani network in
   an operation with Afghan forces late Friday night.
   The  Haqqani  network is allied with the Taliban and is considered one
   of the deadliest militant factions in Afghanistan.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

.