Ambassador visits Gardez, discusses education, development, security

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.01.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry visited Gardez Nov. 29 to see the progress in areas such as public schooling, educational facilities and security conditions within Paktiya province.

“The United States’ job is to help the Afghans help themselves with solving issues in areas they need assistance with,” Eikenberry said.

A joint effort by Team Paktiya, which included elements from Task Force Lethal, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 615th Military Police Company, 2-45th Oklahoma Agribusiness Development Team and Paktiya Provincial Reconstruction Team ensured Eikenberry travelled safely to the various events throughout his visit to the province.

At his first stop in Gardez, Eikenberry spoke at a ceremony for the Peiran School. The construction and completion of this school was a project the Paktiya reconstruction team recently helped facilitate.

The reconstruction team worked with the Hameed Kochai Construction Company, a firm composed of 80 percent Afghan employees, half of whom live within a short distance of the project.

Alongside Paktiya Deputy Gov. Mangal, Eikenberry handed out school supplies to one male and one female student at the end of the ceremony.

Eikenberry then spent a working lunch discussing the current security status of Paktiya with leaders from provincial security forces. The ambassador dedicated most of the meeting to learning what the Afghan National Security Forces and Paktiya’s Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials need to better serve the province’s people.

A tour of Paktiya University to exhibit projects Paktiya’s Oklahoma Agribusiness Development Team is developing was the last stop for the ambassador during his visit in Gardez.

“Future projects at the university include self-sustained generator power, Internet access throughout the buildings, incorporating female students, and a faculty exchange program with Oklahoma State University,” said U.S. Army Spc. Mandy Kennedy, education specialist for the agribusiness team.

Eikenberry toured the university grounds, hearing from officials about current and future infrastructure projects including bringing reliable power and Internet to the school.

Culminating his time at the university, Eikenberry conducted a shura with local elders about governance, development and security issues. Topics ranged from the construction of the road between Khost and Gardez, the necessity and effectiveness of night time raids by coalition forces and general security conditions in the province.

In a press conference held outside the university’s main building after the shura, Eikenberry highlighted the benefits of constructing the Khost Gardez road.

“With that road comes better security,” Eikenberry said. “With that road comes better education and healthcare. With that road comes better economy and commerce. With that road comes hope for the future. That’s why the enemy doesn’t want that road, because they fear hope.”

Leaders from Team Paktiya said the ambassador’s visit was a success.

“This mission is crucial to showing the good the U.S. has been able to accomplish over the past few years,” said U.S. Army Col. Robert Roshell, commander of the agribusiness team.

“Ambassador Eikenberry’s visit brings an increased visibility to exactly what can be accomplished, and help in revitalizing the Afghan agriculture in the province,” Roshell said.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2010
• Date Posted: 12.01.2010 07:18
• Story ID: 61156
• Location: KABUL, AF