    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 18, 2005]
    [Page 1454]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan
    September 18, 2005

        I congratulate the Afghan people and Afghan Government for today's
    successful parliamentary elections, which are a major step forward in
    Afghanistan's development as a democratic state governed by the rule of
    law. Braving deadly attacks and threats of violence, Afghans voted in
    large numbers for representatives to their new National Assembly and
    Provincial Councils. We commend the tremendous progress that the Afghan
    people have made in recent years, and we pledge the full support of the
    United States as Afghanistan acts to meet the new challenges ahead.