Prince William, Virginia (October 30, 2006) -- Delegate Jeff Frederick hosted high-ranking Afghani officials yesterday as part of their three-week visit to the United States to learn more about our system of government and how government interacts with the citizens it serves. The goal of their visit, according to Raymond Lutz, a civilian U.S. Army official working in Kabul, Afghanistan, is to enhance and reinforce their understanding of the democratic process.

The delegation met with Frederick at the McCoart Administration Building, the seat of Prince William County government. Lutz, who when not working in Afghanistan lives in Frederick's legislative district, is helping advise the Afghan government as they rebuild their nation after decades of war.

"There was no better way to illustrate to the Afghans the concept that it is a citizen's right -- as well as responsibility -- to contact their elected officials at the local, state and federal levels to voice their opinions and concerns," Lutz said. "This is something that is new to people who have spent a lifetime in a warlord society that has been dominated by foreign occupation forces for over sixty years."

The delegation was led by National Army Brigadier General Muhammed Amin Naseeb, Afghanistan's Chief of Religious, Cultural, and Education Affairs. The group also included Colonel Aminullah Raheen, Lt. Colonel Muhammad Qadeer Amiri, both also from the Religious, Cultural, and Education Affairs Ministry, and Barialai Ahmadzai of the Defense Ministry.

At the meeting, General Amin Naseeb presented Frederick with a plaque made from Lapis Lazuli, a shiny blue stone native to Afghanistan. "On behalf of the Afghan people, I present you with this Lapis plaque. Lapis is old, strong, rough, and tested, but also very beautiful and promising. It reflects well on my people and country, and we are grateful you have taken the time to meet with us to help us become a better and stronger nation, and we also are grateful to America for all you have done for our country," Naseeb said.

Frederick presented the General with a Virginia flag, flown on top of the state Capitol in Richmond. Frederick explained that the Capitol was designed and it's construction was supervised by Thomas Jefferson, and that Virginia's legislature is the oldest continuing lawmaking body in the history of Western civilization. "I'm honored you have asked for my thoughts on representative democracy and government, and have chosen me among thousands of lawmakers in the United States to share my perspective with you," Frederick commented.

In the discussion, Naseeb said that the United States has over 200 years experience in democracy, and that experience can be helpful to Afghanistan's young democracy, which is less than 3 years old. "You have a mature democracy and we need your help. Education is perhaps the most important thing. We need to learn as a government how to address the challenges of democracy, and our people need to become educated about how power can come and go and change without war and violence, and that they have a role in government now in Afghanistan", said the General.

"A week from Tuesday, America will once again go to the ballot box and exercise the peaceful transfer of power through an election. This is something Americans often take for granted, but is easy to appreciate when we look to other parts of the world where people fight and die for the right to be self-governed and elect their leaders," Frederick said.

During the meeting, Lutz said that it was an honor and a privilege for the delegation to meet with Frederick, "to see first hand what elected officials that serve the people are truly like, because in [the Afghan] culture, you would never dare speak to an official, let alone voice your opinion without fear of reprisal, and in many cases, death."

In illustrating how elected officials work for the people, Frederick shared with the group how he and Lutz first met. "I came to his doorstep, knocked on Ray's door, introduced myself and asked him and his wife for their votes. I am accountable to those I represent -- the people are my boss."

Naseeb said that a stable and thriving Afghanistan will be a valuable partner to the United States in the region, but that they have a long road ahead.

Frederick commented after the meeting that it was, "incredible opportunity to meet with the General and his staff. I was honored to have the chance to meet these real-life patriots, and to help them in a very small way to build and secure their country's democracy."