Afghanistan

Population: 28,513,677 (July 2004 est.)

Capital: Kabul
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An Introduction to Afghanistan
Afghanistan's recent history is a story of war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to
withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan, and others. The Communist regime in Kabul fought on until collapsing in 1992. Fighting subsequently
erupted among the various mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the
Taliban. Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a political force and ultimately seized power in 1996.
The Taliban were able to capture most of the country, outside of Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the
northeast. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and Northern Alliance military action
toppled the Taliban. In late 2001, major leaders from the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn,
Germany, and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new government structure that resulted in the inauguration of
Hamid KARZAI as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001.

The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002, and KARZAI was elected President by secret
ballot of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-year
anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. The Transitional Authority convened a Constitutional Loya Jirga from 14
December 2003 until 4 January 2004 and ended with the approval of a new constitution. The constitution was signed
on 16 January 2004 and highlights a strong executive branch, a moderate role for Islam, and basic protections for
human rights. TISA's next task is to hold nationwide elections by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement
timeline, but these may be delayed due to election preparations. National elections would formally dissolve the
Transitional Authority and establish the Government of Afghanistan under the new constitution.

In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out remaining terrorists and
Taliban elements, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a lack of skilled and educated workers, a crumbling
infrastructure, and widespread land mines.
 Map of Afghanistan ( Location ) : 33 00 N, 65 00 E, Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran. For
additional reports and educational information specific to Afghanistan, refer to the Country Info menubar to the upper right.
The Afghan Flag
Three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on
the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and
right and by a bold Islamic inscription above.

Backgrounds: Afghanistan Government

Afghanistan identifies itself as an "Islamic Republic." The new national constitution adopted on January 4, 2004
paves the way for nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in June 2004.

The government's authority beyond the capital, Kabul, is slowly growing, although its ability to deliver necessary
social services remains largely dependent on funds from the international donor community. So far, the United States
has committed nearly $4 billion to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, while other donors within the international
community have pledged an additional $5 billion to meet short- and long-term needs.

With anti-terrorist coalition support, the government's capacity to secure Afghanistan's borders to maintain internal
order is increasing. The government continues to work closely with coalition forces in rooting out remnants of al
Qaeda and the Taliban. The core of an Afghan National Army (ANA) is being trained, as are police. Some ministerial
reforms are underway, most prominently at the Ministry of Defense, which has been reorganized to better reflect
Afghanistan's ethnic diversity.

Afghanistan maintains an embassy in the United States at 2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel:
202-...;

Tabular Data - Government of Afghanistan

Country Name Info : conventional long form: Transitional Islamic State of

Afghanistan
conventional short form: Afghanistan
local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
local short form: Afghanestan
former: Republic of Afghanistan
Government Type : transitional
Capital : Kabul
Administrative 34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan,
Divisions : Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab,
Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar,
Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar,
Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika,
Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and
Zabol
Independence : 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
National Holiday : Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Constitution : new constitution drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004;
signed 16 January 2004
Legal System : according to the new constitution, no law is contrary to Islam;
 the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive
society based on social justice, protection of human dignity,
protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to
ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and
tribes; the state shall abide by the UN charter, international
treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan signed,
and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Suffrage : 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch : note: on 10 June 2002, the structure of the second Transitional
Authority (TA) was announced when an Emergency Loya Jirga
(Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional
Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA); subsequently, a
Constitutional Loya Jirga was held and adopted a new
constitution; under the new constitution the president is both
the chief of state and head of government; the president and
two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year
term; if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the
first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes
will participate in a second round; a president can only be
elected for two terms; former King ZAHIR Shah holds the
honorific, "Father of the Country," and presides symbolically
over certain occasions, but lacks any governing authority; the
honorific is not hereditary
chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10
June 2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head
of government
head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI
(since 10 June 2002); note - the president is both chief of state
and head of government
cabinet: the 30-member TISA; note - under the new
constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and
approved by the National Assembly
elections: nationwide elections are to be held by June 2004,
according to the Bonn Agreement
Legislative Branch : nonfunctioning as of January 2004
note: under the new constitution, the bicameral National
Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no
more than 250 seats), directly elected for a five-year term, and
the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (composed of one
representative from each provincial council, one representative
from each district council, and a number of presidential
appointees; the presidential appointees will include two
representatives of Kuchis and two representatives of the
disabled; half of the presidential appointees will be women);
the Bonn Agreement lays down a June 2004 deadline for
elections for the first session of the National Assembly
note: on rare occasions the government may convene the
Loya Jirga on issues of independence, national sovereignty,
and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the
constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of
members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the
provincial and district councils
Judicial Branch : the new constitution establishes a nine-member Stera
Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed
for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi
Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there
is also a Minister of Justice; a separate Afghan Independent
Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn
 Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses
and war crimes
Political Parties and NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many
Leaders : prominent players have plans to create new parties; the
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by
President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government
formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum;
there are also several political factions not holding positions in
the Transitional government that are forming new groups and
parties in the hopes of participating in the 2004 elections
Political Pressure Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam), [former President
Groups and Leaders : Burhanuddin RABBANIS]; Jombesh-e Milli (National Islamic
Movement), [Abdul Rashjid DOSTUM]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic
Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan), [Abdul Rasul
SAYYAF]; there are also small monarchist, communist, and
democratic groups
International AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
Organization ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,
Participation : IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO,
WToO
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD
Representation In The chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
US : telephone:  202-483-6410 
FAX: 202-483-6487
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZAD; note -
Representation From embassy in Kabul reopened 16 December 2001, following
The US : closure in January 1989
embassy: Great Masood Road, Kabul
mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180
telephone: [93] (2) 290002, 290005, 290154
FAX: 00932290153

Tabular Data - Political Leaders of Afghanistan

Position Held: By Individual:

President Karzai, Hamid
Vice President Fahim, Mohammad
Vice President Khalili, Abdul Karim
Vice President Arsala, Hedayat Amin
Vice President Shahrani, Niamatullah
Min. of Agriculture & Livestock Anwari, Seyyed Hussain
Min. of Border & Tribal Affairs Noorzai Mohammad Aref, Engineer
Min. of Civil Aviation & Tourism Bismel, Bismillah
Min. of Commerce Kazemi, Seyyed Mustafa
Min. of Communications Stanakzai, Mohammad Masoom
Min. of Defense Fahim, Mohammad
Min. of Education Moshahed, Ahmad
Min. of Finance Ghani, Ashraf
Min. of Foreign Affairs Abdullah, Dr.
Min. of Hajj & Mosques Naseryar, Mohammad Amin
Min. of Higher Education Faez Mohammad Sharif, Dr.
Min. of Information & Culture Raheen Seyyed Makhdoom, Dr.
Min. of Interior Jalali, Ali
Min. of Irrigation & Environment Nuristani Ahmad Yusuf, Dr.
Min. of Justice Karimi, Abdul Rahim
Min. of Labor & Social Affairs Qarqin, Noor Mohammad
Min. of Light Industry & Food Stuffs Razam, Mohammad Alam
Min. of Martyrs & Disabled Wardak Abdullah, Engineer
Min. of Mines & Industries Taniwal Hakim, Dr.
Min. of Planning Bashardost, Ramazan
Min. of Public Health Sediq Sohaila, Dr.
Min. of Public Works Shirzai, Gul Agha
Min. of Reconstruction Farhang, Mohammad Amin
Min. of Refugee Affairs Nazeri, Enayatullah
Min. of Rural Development Atmar, Mohammad Hanif
Min. of Transportation Jawed, Seyyed Mohammad Ali
Min. of Urban Development Shirzai, Gul Agha
Min. of Water & Power Kargar, Mohammad Shaker
Min. of Women's Affairs Sorabi, Habiba
Chair of the Human Rights Commission Samar, Sima
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Shinwari, Faisal Ahmad
Presidential Adviser on National Security Rassoul, Zalmay
Governor, Central Bank Ahady, Anwar Ul-Haq
Ambassador to the US Jawad, SaidTayeb
Permanent Representative to the UN, NY Farhadi, Ravan A.G.
 
Chiefs of State listings last updated October 28, 2004