Remarks by Charge D'Affaires E. Anthony Wayne at the Opening Ceremony Orientation Program for the Newly Elected Wolesi Jirga Members of Parliament

January 15, 2011 | Kabul, Afghanistan

Your Excellency, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Azizi, Wolesi Jirga Secretary General Gran, Mishrano Jirga Secretary General Malwan, members of the Wolesi Jirga, and diplomatic colleagues.

It is a sincere pleasure to join you today for the launch of the Orientation Program for members of the Wolesi Jirga.

As President Obama has said, “Each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: Governments that respect the will of their own people and that govern by consent and not coercion are more prosperous, they are more stable, and more successful than governments that do not.

The United States is committed to supporting the success of the Afghan Government and people in advancing the stability, security, and development of their country.

We recognize that, as designated by Afghanistan’s Constitution, a strong, independent legislature is an essential element in achieving that success.

Your presence here today demonstrates your recognition of the vital role of a legislature to a democratic society.

The Afghan Constitution puts it best by calling the Wolesi Jirga “the highest legislative organ” and stating that it shall “manifest the will of the people as well as represent the entire nation.”

As you prepare for your new responsibilities, please know that you have the best wishes and support of friends of democracy around the world, including that of the United States.

The Wolesi Jirga is an independent legislative body of a sovereign country.

We are proud of our efforts to work, in a spirit of partnership and friendship, to strengthen its institutional capacity.

Over the past five years, we have supported training and learning opportunities for the secretariats of the National Assembly.

Our assistance has aimed to benefit the legislature as a whole, without partiality to any individual members or political parties.

Through the Afghanistan Parliamentary Assistance Program, or APAP, we have provided expert assistance to build the capacity of Parliamentary committees to develop legislation, aided in public outreach efforts through broadcasting over 130 radio shows about the work of the Parliament, and supported efforts to educate Afghans about the important role of the legislature.

I congratulate Secretary Generals Gran and Malwan, their staffs and previous Members of Parliament for key accomplishments such as drafting and updating a strategic plan for Parliament; launching the Afghanistan Parliamentary Institute, creating a Parliament Fellowship Program; and establishing a parliamentary library with more than 3,000 books and internet facilities.< /p>

U.S. Government support for your vital work will continue. Through our new assistance program, APAP II, we will continue to work with you to build the internal capacity of the National Assembly to carry out its constitutionally-mandated duties. In partnership with the secretariats, planned APAP II activities will include implementing a legislative tracking system, developing procedural records, voting, and communications systems, and additional training through the Afghan Parliamentary Institute.

In consultation with Secretary General Gran, we plan to provide new cameras in the plenary chambers which will enable the media to better inform the people of Afghanistan of the vital work of Parliament. In addition, we will work to increase exchanges between the Afghan National Assembly and the United States Congress, deepening the bond that ties our two nations together.

On December 16, President Obama reaffirmed our intention to forge a new strategic partnership with Afghanistan this year.

We see this as an enduring partnership, characterized by mutual respect and a shared interest in a better future.

We look forward to working with the members of the new Parliament in the spirit of this
partnership.

As the voice and representatives of all Afghans, you have the high honor and heavy responsibility to serve your constituents and your nation. You also have a rare opportunity to shape the future of Afghanistan, for the benefit of generations to come.

Thank you.