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. Rockets, Gunfire Rock Start of Afghan Peace Conference President Hamid Karzai had been addressing delegates when the first rocket hit the ground VOA News 02 June 2010 Giant tent housing the 'peace jirga' on the eve of the three-day conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, 01 Jun 2010 Photo: AP Giant tent housing the 'peace jirga' on the eve of the three-day conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, 01 Jun 2010 The sound of exploding rockets and gunfire has echoed through the Afghan capital, just as a major peace conference got underway. Police and witnesses said at least two rockets slammed into the ground not far from where 1,600 delegates from across Afghanistan gathered for a traditional meeting, or jirga, Wednesday. Witnesses said the blasts were followed by gunfire and that helicopters could be seen circling overhead. Witnesses also said Afghan President Hamid Karzai left the conference in an armored convoy. Mr. Karzai had been addressing the delegates when the first rocket hit the ground, but continued to speak. Thousands of security forces have been deployed around Kabul for the meeting, called to help reach a national consensus on how to persuade insurgents to give up their arms.  The Taliban dismissed the importance of the jirga, calling the current Afghan government a "powerless stooge." The hardline Islamist group was not invited to the conference. The Taliban says it will not engage in peace talks until all foreign troops leave Afghanistan. A smaller militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, called the conference useless because only people handpicked by the government are attending. President Karzai's main political opponent in last year's election, Abdullah Abdullah, said he will not attend the jirga because its agenda does not address the concerns of ordinary Afghans. Other critics say not enough women are participating. In response to those complaints, Mr. Karzai increased the number of female delegates to about 20 percent of the 1,600-member assembly. The assembly is expected to discuss whom the Karzai government should talk to with regard to the Taliban, as well as the future of foreign troops in Afghanistan, but the first day was expected to be mostly ceremonial. The delegates will then select their chairman and split into small groups to debate the issues. They will submit their decisions to the general session on the final day and the chairman will announce the overall decision in a final ceremony. Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP. .