Newly Elected Afghan Parliament Convenes [View All]

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's first popularly elected parliament in more than three decades convened Monday, marking a major step toward democracy following the ouster of the hardline Taliban.

But there were concerns about whether the legislature would be a constructive political force. More than half of the new lawmakers are regional strongmen, and fears were high that they will block efforts to reform government and bring to justice those responsible for years of bloodshed.

Vice President Dick Cheney flew in to attend the opening session, which began with a reading from the Koran, followed by the national anthem and a folksong by schoolgirls dressed in brightly colored robes.

After the delegates were sworn in, President Hamid Karzai called the gathering a display of Afghan unity.

more;http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051219/ap_on_re_as/afghan_parliament;_

Boy, Unka Dick is getting around for the photo ops.