Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Seeks To Rebuild Parliament

11 April 2005 -- Afghanistan's economy minister said today he wanted Afghans to contribute funds to rebuild the Darul-Aman palace so the building could serve as the new parliament building.

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April 11, 2005

Minister Amin Farhang said the plan to rebuild the palace would create up to 10,000 jobs. But Farhang said private donors would have to help with the $60 to 70 million in estimated costs to restore the palace.

Farhang appealed to wealthy local businessmen and Afghan exiles to pledge what they could to help the project. Farhang said "even a dollar or two to help this important cause."

The Darul-Aman palace was built by King Amanullah Khan in 1924 but it was heavily bombed during factional fighting in the Kabul area in the early 1990s.

A German architect has already drawn up plans for the palace's restoration.

(AFP)

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