Courtesy Photo | A printing press engineer does a demonstration of the Panjshir Provincial Printing...... read more read more
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By Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego
Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Dating back to the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the people of Panjshir province have come to be known for their great strength and will to succeed. Since being recognized as a province in 2004, the people have continued to work together to add to their rich history, completing a micro-hydro plant for electricity generation, new roads for commerce, bridges, wells, schools, a radio station, a new public works building and most recently their own printing press.
Panjshir province officials and the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the valley's first printing press here May 26.
"Today is a great day for the people of Panjshir," said Panjshir Gov. Bahlol Bahij. "The people of Panjshir are working hard to make their country strong; through this printing press we will be able to share the story of our people and all of the great things being done here."
Air Force Brig. Gen. James Hyatt, 455 Air Expeditionary Wing commander agreed, "This is a wonderful day, I am proud to be here and proud of the PRT and all those who assisted in making this printing press possible. It will allow for better means to share and wide-spread information. It will also better the future of the children of Panjshir."
The project broke ground in March 2007 at the request of the people of Panjshir through the Provincial Reconstruction Program. Now complete, the Panjshir Provincial Printing Press will be used to distribute Panjshir Valley news and other information as far away as Kabul.
"The printing press will print a newspaper on a weekly basis, providing a unified message from the governor and other provincial leadership," said Air Force 1st Lt. John Griffin, Panjshir PRT executive officer. "It will serve as a legitimate source of news and historical documents for the people of the Panjshir Valley."
The building housing the printing press was a previously built structure that was renovated. The refurbishment of the building cost approximately $35,000. The late-model Solna Offset Printing Press, on which the newspaper will be printed, cost approximately $30,000.
"When we look at it today it looks like a new building," said Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Luedtke, Panjshir PRT commander. "However, it is far more than just a building and far more than just a printing press. This building ties directly to the schools, the radio towers, television towers and the rest of the world. This printing press is a part of Massoud's great legacy, and is a part of this greater system of education and democracy Afghanistan is pursuing. This printing press will advance the literacy of the children of this great valley. It will drive the education and development of this great valley.
"This printing press brings the real word to Panjshir," added the colonel. "Panjshirees will write the truth with this press and Kabul will hear their words. No longer will the information only flow from Kabul to Panjshir. Now it will flow from Panjshir to Kabul and from the people of Kabul to the rest of Afghanistan, then to the rest of the world. We here (in the Panjshir Valley) understand the great history (the people) has here and soon so will the rest of the world."
The people of the Panjshir Valley will continue to add to their great history by working with their government and the Panjshir PRT, to build more roads, schools and other projects in the future.
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2007 13:19 |
| Story ID: | 10537 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 899 |
| Downloads: | 851 |
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