Weekly shuras bring progress to Afghan Valley

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.30.2008

Story by Spc. Gregory Argentieri 

173rd Airborne Brigade

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By Spc. Gregory J. Argentieri
173rd Airborne Brigade

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers from Able Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, welcome local Afghan village elders from the Pech river valley onto Forward Operating Base Able Main every Thursday morning to conduct a weekly shura.

The shura gives village elders from the surrounding area and senior leadership from Able Company a chance to sit down together in the "shura shack" to share thoughts and concerns covering a host of topics.

The shura, conducted, May 15, consisted of 25 village elders and two representatives from Able Company. They spoke together for about two hours.

"We try to get as many people here as possible, and put out as much information as possible talking about as many things as we can," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah K. Smith, 32, from Lewistown, Pa., Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Platoon.

"It's our shura, no single person should be taking charge, it's every one of ours and we share equally in anything and everything we do," said Smith.

The meeting started off with good news, the arrival of more bags of cement earmarked for the villagers, and discussing current events, but the meeting quickly turned to more serious topics.

Able Main had taken some small arms fire and an indirect round in the days prior. The elders were asked if they knew anything about the incidents.

The villagers responded saying they had heard nothing. Smith urged the elders to make sure if they hear anything to come out of their houses and look around and if they see anything, to let the Soldiers know.

"It is very odd to have one person shooting at the Forward Operating Base especially with as many weapons systems as we have. As accurate as we are, to have one person up there with an AK or some other weapon system to put a couple rounds in this FOB really upsets us," said Smith. "Whenever we receive rounds on this FOB, of course, we're going to return fire in the same direction and hopefully none of your goats are in that area."

Then Smith eased the elders concerns by reminding them that if any of their goats were killed due to the firing of weapons by Able Company they would be reimbursed for them.

Smith added none of this would be happening if it weren't for those people up there in the mountains coming down and trying to attack them. He said that every day his unit does more and more to try to rid the area of the Taliban.

One elder expressed his appreciation for the Soldier's efforts in the area.

"We are a lot happier because we have this help and support," he said, "we sit at the government, we belong to the government, and the government belongs to us."

The conversation turned to poppy growing and opium.

Recently, area elders had turned in some opium to Able Company Soldiers, but today the elders assured Smith that no one was growing poppies anymore. The elders said they would talk to all of the people and tell whoever has opium to get rid of it.

The elders then expressed their concern, explaining the man who had the opium was very poor and had no other way to make a living; a common problem being dealt with in many areas of Afghanistan.

Able Company's mission in Pech valley does not include counter narcotics and they handled the situation delicately. These recent events were a first for the company.

"That's why we didn't arrest him," said Smith. "We are helping him to the best of my, Lieutenant Kennedy, and the (Afghan national army's) ability."

The last topic discussed in the shura was ongoing and future development projects. Smith assured the elders that all of their project requests were being processed through the proper channels and pending approval or funding. The process can take as long as two months.

"Everyone is saying 'I have this project in, we have a bunch of projects in, and were still not seeing results,'" said Smith. "Starting tomorrow we're going to start seeing results, things are starting to happen, things are starting to happen in this area and this area will continue to improve."

The first large scale construction project for Pech river valley elders and Able Company is a new road project going up a large mountain, and was scheduled to begin in May, according to 1st Lt. Brandon M. Kennedy, 24, from Shelton, Conn., platoon leader for 3rd Platoon, Able Company.

"Just like the Pashtu proverb, one flower does not mean the spring is here, just having one project started does not mean I am going to stop my efforts to get all the projects done," said Kennedy.