Kabul Heavy Weapons Under Ministry of Defense Control

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.09.2004

Courtesy Story

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By Col. Randy Pullen

KABUL, Afghanistan -- There are countless pieces and parts to building the security and stability of Afghanistan.

One more major piece to that building took place at the beginning of September with the completion of the cantonment of all heavy weapons in Kabul under the control of the Afghan Ministry of Defense. A ceremony to mark the transfer of ownership of the heavy weapons of the 8th Division (Afghan militia forces) to the Ministry of Defense took place at the Hussein Khot Cantonment Site northwest of Kabul proper, Sept. 1.

As Afghan, International Security Assistance Force and coalition dignitaries arrived at the site, they saw dozens of tanks, artillery pieces, armored personnel carriers and other heavy weapons neatly parked at the site. A formation of 8th Division soldiers stood to the side and came to attention when First Deputy Minister of Defense Rahim Wardak arrived.

In his remarks, Wardak praised the soldiers of the 8th Division for their courage in battling the Soviets and the Taliban. He also complimented them on their vision for Afghanistan's future by undertaking the cantonment process.

"Our jihad was for the sake of God and the defense of our country," Wardak said.

"We did it for the good of our people. We want our people to live in peace and harmony."

Wardak said the disarmament process was intended to strengthen the ability of the people to live in peace and harmony by removing weapons from the hands of irresponsible people who use them to rob and kill and put them where they belong, in the hands of the Ministry of Defense and the Afghan national army, an army of the whole nation.

The Deputy Minister said that those who claim the coalition and Afghan government do not respect those who fought for Afghan's freedom are lying."

Everyone everywhere in the world who defends their country is respected," Wardak said.

"The mujahidin have their special place in our history and in our community." Following Wardak, French Lt. Gen. Jean-Louis Py, ISAF Commander, thanked the 8th Division for its quickness in cantoning its heavy weapons in record time, having cantoned some 235 heavy weapons in five days.

He promised that ISAF would continue with the cantonment process until all heavy weapons are submitted to government control. "This is an important process for strengthening peace in Afghanistan and encouraging prosperity for the people," Py said.

"Heavy weapons cantonment is a tangible example of the Afghan people turning their backs on violence." U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig P. Weston, Chief of the Office of Military Cooperation -- Afghanistan, represented the coalition at the ceremony.

"By submitting your weapons to the government," Weston said to the officers and soldiers of the 8th Division, "you join in the reconstruction of your country.

This is a very important event for the people of Kabul and for all the Afghan people." The redeployment and cantonment of heavy weapons is a Ministry of Defense initiative.

This heavy weapons cantonment program is in compliance with the Bonn Agreement and the Petersburg Declaration, thereby assisting in the establishment of further stable security structures within Afghanistan.

Although heavy weapons cantonment is not a part of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, it is a program that complements DDR and leads to the common goals of increasing security and enhancing the rule of law in Afghanistan. According to UNAMA, The Ministry of Defense and the Afghan New Beginnings Program have cantoned 1,388 heavy weapons as of Sept. 2, 2004.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2004
• Date Posted: 09.09.2004 10:53
• Story ID: 358
• Location: KABUL, AF