    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 19, 2005]
    [Page 1889]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Inauguration of the Afghan National Assembly
    December 19, 2005

        I congratulate the Afghan people on the inauguration of the new
    Afghan national assembly. Today is another milestone in Afghanistan's
    historic transition to a stable and democratic state governed by the
    rule of law. A freely and fairly elected legislature plays a vital role
    in the life of a representative democracy. I applaud the members of the
    national assembly on their service to their country and support their
    efforts, with President Karzai and his
    Government, to improve the lives of the Afghan people.