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KABUL, Afghanistan - Leaders from Afghan provinces Wardak and Logar met for a commander's conference at Forward Operating Base Shank, Feb. 9-11, to shape a 90-day joint plan for the provinces.
The conference was hosted by Army commanders of Task Force Spartan and included members of the Afghan national army, Afghan national police, Logar Czech Republic Provincial Reconstruction Team, Wardak Turkish PRT, United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Provincial Governors Attiqullah Ludin of Logar and Mohammed Halim Fidai of Wardak arrived for the last day of the conference.
Progress toward positive change in Logar and Wardak seems imminent, especially with the influx of Spartan Soldiers working side by side with Afghans to affect change. However, Americans and Afghan officials understand that the change will not be instantaneous.
"I think if it takes 30 years for a country to be destroyed, it will take longer to rebuild, because construction takes longer than destruction," said Fidai. "But hope is here, resources are here. With all these resources and readiness, we can overcome the situation and improve it further."
Both Fidai and Ludin agree the situation in Wardak and Logar is not ideal. In the last two years, insurgent activity has escalated in the provinces and seems to have taken a firm hold on the populace. Afghans are afraid to support international troops for fear of the insurgent repercussions.
Most Afghans are unsure of how dedicated international forces are to backing them in their struggle against insurgent forces. Up until recently, roughly 300 international troops were spread throughout Wardak and Logar. The influx of troops in the area is a sign to Afghans that ISAF soldiers are serious about improving the enemy situation in Wardak and Logar.
Currently, TF Spartan has experienced little aggressive enemy contact. Army Col. David B. Haight, commander of TF Spartan, 10th Mountain Division, lends this to the bitterly cold weather, but feels once winter begins to subside, enemy activity will increase.
"I expect enemy contact to increase in the next three months," said Col. Haight. "Not only will we receive more attacks because of the warmer weather, but there are more troops in the area now and the enemy will react to more soldiers with more attacks."
Ludin and Fidai were both pleased with the outcome of the conference.
"We are here to sanction joint plans that Afghan, American and coalition partners have generated," said Ludin. "We must have a united front and bring these new ideas to the people. We must stand beside our plans and show the people that we mean to do what we say."
Col. Haight was equally pleased with the outcome of the meeting, but wants to make sure all participants are aware that actions mean more than words.
"I thought the mood of the meeting was good," said Col. Haight. "There was a lot of hope from the Afghans. I heard a lot of good intention coming from the other organisations, which I like, but I want to see follow through. It's time to get things done."
The brigade plans to continue to host a commander's conference every 90 days to remain synchronised in their efforts for a more secure and economically developed area of operations.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2009 07:26 |
| Story ID: | 30419 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 237 |
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