Military

DATE=01/28/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHAN / EMBASSY OPENS (S)

NUMBER=2-285754

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

/// EDS: THIS SPOT CAN BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE TO 2-285750 BUSH KARZAI PREVIEW, BY PAULA WOLFSON ///

INTRO: The head of the new interim Afghan government, Hamid Karzai, has officially re-opened the country's embassy in Washington. V-O-A's Nick Simeone reports.

TEXT: Shortly before heading over to the White House for his first meeting with President Bush, Hamid Karzai raised his country's flag outside the Afghan embassy.

During the years of Taleban rule, the United States continued to recognize the government headed by Afghan resistance leader Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Speaking at the flag raising, Mr. Karzai said he hopes the re-opening of the embassy will mark the start of a new era in U-S / Afghan relations.

/// KARZAI ACT ///

Let's hope that this flag will be there forever and that the partnership between the American and Afghan people will be forever.

/// END ACT ///

Earlier in the day, Mr. Karzai told American television that his country would welcome U-S participation in an expanded Afghan peacekeeping force.

In addition to security matters, Mr. Karzai's talks with President Bush are expected to touch on other issues such as humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, and political concerns, such as the role of women in the Afghan government. (SIGNED)

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