Afghan Parliament Taking Baby Steps to Maturity

In a country better known for centuries of war, poverty and corruption, the emergence of a functioning parliament has shone a light on Afghan aspirations for self-determination.

Parliament's defiance in the secret ballot on Karzai's cabinet picks has also brought hope that at least one of the three institutional pillars -- legislative, judicial and administrative -- takes its task seriously.

"I think the structure of the parliament itself is a success," MP Shukria Barakzai told AFP.

"Being formed of warlords, communists and (former) Taliban, people from all sorts of ethnic and political backgrounds is a success.

"People who fought each other with rockets and shells are now working under the same ceiling, despite sometimes throwing water bottles at each other," she said, referring to the often fiery debates.

That spirit was on display Saturday during the vote count, which showed the 232 MPs who attended firmly knocking down 17 of Karzai's 24 nominees.

Even the seven who were approved hardly won with resounding confidence, barely winning more than the 117 votes -- or 50 percent plus one -- needed.

Observers noted MPs appeared to reject nominees they feared might have represented vested interests or had ulterior motives.

"Those (nominees) who were introduced by warlords were not approved, as well as those who were thinking that being in government is like being in business -- they had their faces slapped," Barakzai said.

Karzai has long relied on warlords to prop up his fragile government and his cabinet choices were seen as a test of his commitment to clean government for the country rated the world's second most corrupt.

While his wishlist did not appear stacked with cronies, those voted down included warlord Ismail Khan, whose nomination as water and energy minister was seen as a reward for supporting Karzai in the election.

Those approved were defence, agriculture, interior, finance, education, culture, and mines and industries, most of whom had the backing of Karzai's Western supporters.

Karzai had wanted to finalise his cabinet before an international conference in London on January 28 to discuss the future of the country.

While the UN's special representative to Afghanistan, Kai Eide called the result a "political setback" as it prolongs political stasis, he acknowledged it was good news for the development of democracy.

"There's a positive aspect that proves that the institution functions, that parliament has made full use of its authority on the constitution," he told reporters on Sunday.

"It must be respected. It's certainly not the kind of rubber-stamping parliament that we see in other countries. The parliament has taken its responsibility and made full use of it," he said.

The parliament, elected in 2005, is comprised of two chambers, the powerful 249-seat lower house Wolesi Jirga, or house of the people, and the largely symbolic 102-seat upper house Mishrano Jirga, house of the elders.

The constitution guarantees 64 women MPs, although two are known to have left for asylum in Europe and a third woman was fired for making statements in the chamber against "war criminals".

The legislature had not until now been regarded as a balance on administrative power, allowing Karzai's government to achieve its goals without threatening the foundations of the state.

Getting here has been a rough road, and some decisions have damaged its reputation -- including the law passed in its first year giving amnesty to warlords and former militia leaders.

Analysts say its development is hampered by Afghanistan's lack of a political party system, leaving most MPs operating as independents.

"The parliament is fragmented, the MPs vote on their own assessment, there are no political parties behind them," said Haroun Mir, director of Afghanistan's Centre for Research and Policy.

Accusations that MPs take their jobs too lightly are tempered by the fact that 10 have been killed -- six in 2007 alone -- mostly in Taliban attacks.

"I think in general we have been doing well. We have done our share in building up democracy," Barakzai said.