WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Vice President Dick Cheney will attend the first Afghan presidential inauguration in Kabul, one month before his own re-investiture.
The White House announced Thursday Cheney and his wife, Lynne, were scheduled to attend the Sunday inauguration of President Hamid Karzai, who was elected president Oct. 9 in Afghanistan's first presidential contest.
Rounding out the presidential delegation would be Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Afghan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and former presidential counselor Karen Hughes, the White House said.
In addition to attending the inaugural ceremonies, the White House said, Cheney also will consult with Karzai and senior Afghan officials on issues including the war on terror and Afghanistan's continued path toward democracy.
Cheney also will visit with and thank U.S. and coalition troops for their service in country, the White House said.
Cheney and President Bush will celebrate their own inauguration in mid-January after their victory in the polls Nov. 2.
