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    CSTC-A warriors learn about peace

    By Petty Officer First Class David M.Votroubek
    Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan
    Public Affairs Office

    KABUL, Afghanistan –

    The senior leadership of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) recently attended an all-day seminar at Camp Eggers to learn more about Afghanistan from the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) experts.

    The Kabul-based CAPS program began in July 2006 and promotes Afghan peace and stability through education. The program is designed to help foreigners understand Afghanistan better and prevent misunderstandings with their Afghan hosts. CAPS' director Hekmet Karzai thinks that by using local experts, foreigners get an insider's perspective, which helps to reduce conflict and promotes stability.

    "Positive gains can be reversed by lack of knowledge on the part of coalition troops," Karzai said. "If people make better judgments, then our objectives are reached."

    British Army Col. Duncan Barley, Director of Plans for CSTC-A, introduced Karzai to the leaders and explained why it's so important for them to understand Afghanistan.

    "Being from a country (Great Britain) that has fought three wars against Afghanistan and lost all three, I'll certainly be listening," he told the laughing audience.

    Karzai began with Afghanistan's political history since 1979. He focused objectively on the major influences and forces in Afghan politics over the last 30 years, while other experts taught about Islam, Afghan culture and customs.

    Attendees also learned about the insurgency from an Afghan perspective. Karzai believes that knowing and understanding the Afghan people will help the coalition appreciate that peace can only come to Afghanistan by political, not military means.

    For CSTC-A's Engineering Director, Navy Capt. Joseph Clements, the seminar emphasized the partnership between Afghans and the coalition. "We could be more successful if we first seek to understand our partner's perspective before trying to apply a solution," he said.

    Eventually Karzai would like to see coalition forces get this training before deploying to Afghanistan, so they'll be better prepared to work with Afghans. CAPS also trains foreign diplomats and civil servants who will work with Afghans to create the next generation of conflict resolution experts. This is what helps CAPS live up to their motto: "Above all, there must be a cause greater than us."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.02.2007
    Date Posted: 10.02.2007 09:56
    Story ID: 12673
    Location: KABUL, AF

    Web Views: 691
    Downloads: 610

    PUBLIC DOMAIN