Courtesy Photo | Republican Rep. Phil English from Pa., left, speaks one-on-one with Air Force Senior...... read more read more
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PANJSHIR, Afghanistan – Six Congressional representatives from the House Armed Services Committee visited the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, Jan. 20, on a fact-finding tour and saw development projects, met with the governor and had lunch with service members.
The representatives received a detailed brief on the history of the province and how PRT development projects are increasing the security, governance and development in Panjshir from PRT Director, Ben Lowenthal of the State Department, and Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Luedtke, PRT commander.
"To see the success story here and the courage of the people is very inspiring," said Democratic Rep. Susan Davis of California.
After hearing about development in the province, the representatives got a first-hand look at infrastructure projects funded by the PRT. These projects have led to private investment in Panjshir.
A "windshield" tour of the province gave the representatives a chance to witness the value of a $20 million road funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The road has created opportunities for Panjshiris to commute to work in Kabul and enables rapid transportation of goods and services in and out of the province.
Before meeting with Provincial Governor Bahlol, the representatives stopped at a PRT funded project, the Shast micro-hydro electric plant, which will provide electricity to more than 1,000 families. From the same location, Luedtke was able to point out the PRT funded mountain access road, which has led to further development and commercial investment.
"The PRT funded this road to the top of the mountain and USAID built a radio station up there," Luedtke said. "But the best part is that commercial developers seized this opportunity to place cell phone towers on the mountain ridge as well. And the development keeps coming with the installation of TV towers, a wind-power project for government offices and even another road that was cut to the village on the other side of the mountain."
The representatives met with Bahlol behind closed doors for a private discussion and were presented with Pakuls (local-style hats) and scarves before leaving.
The representatives returned to Forward Operating Base Lion for lunch with PRT members. Each representative took the opportunity to talk with the service members about their deployment and things back home.
"It was great to have the representatives visit and see their interest in our mission," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Crystal Salas, an information manager deployed from Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
After presenting the PRT members with a few gifts from their districts, and taking several pictures, the representatives left the province with greater knowledge of the mission in Panjshir.
Visiting representatives were: Susan Davis, D-Calif.; David Loebsack, D-Iowa; Peter Roskam, R-Ill.; Phil English, R-Pa.; Bill Sali, R-Idaho; and Mark Udall, D-Colo.
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2008 07:19 |
| Story ID: | 15659 |
| Location: | PANJSHIR, AF |
| Web Views: | 347 |
| Downloads: | 323 |
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