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KABUL, Afghanistan – During a press conference yesterday, the Governor of Kandahar referenced reports regarding damage inflicted by joint military operations in southern Afghanistan as being far from reality. He was adamant that the reports do not represent the conditions in Kandahar.
The sub-governors of Panjwai, Zharay, and Arghandab and the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command South commander were also present during the conference to respond to the assessment made by the presidential delegation commissioned by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.
The delegation was formed in order to assess the economic losses that occurred during the joint military operations in the region. The primary points of controversy surround the statement that the economic losses in the Arghandab, Panjwai and Zharay Districts of Kandahar province were more than $100 million.
“The delegation that came from Kabul promised to share the report with me and the sub-governors, but they did not let us know about it and went to Kabul and submitted this exaggerated report to the president,” said Toryalai Weesa, Kandahar province governor.
Zharay, Panjwai and Arghandab sub-governors each called this report inaccurate and full of exaggeration.
“The delegation completed the report without even letting myself, the elders or the development council know about it,” said Niaz Mohammad Sarhadi, the sub-governor of Zharay. “It has been extremely exaggerated. From one house, five people asked for the same compensation.”
The Arghandab sub-governor also reiterated that the damages in the report are very excessive.
“People have exaggerated in the report and some people have asked for compensation for damages that happened during the Soviet invasion,” Haji Shah Mohammed, Arghandab sub-governor.
Maj. Gen. James Terry, commander, RC South, made it clear that ISAF, in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces, have a strict process when it comes to the reduction of improvised explosive devices inside buildings and compounds. The vacant buildings that are destroyed are the ones the insurgents are using as homemade improvised explosive device factories and storage for explosive making materials.
“If it is not safe because of booby-traps or hazardous conditions, we then block and watch the area to make sure that no one can enter it,” said Terry. “When we know that it is completely empty of people, we coordinate with the local governor to get his approval. Then and only then, we will use precision munitions to destroy the IED.”
Terry also focused on the compensation process and that ISAF is making this process a priority for the Afghan people.
“Claims by the residents are taken very seriously,” Terry said. “If we damage something, it is our obligation and responsibility to compensate for it.”
Since Nov. 2, RC-S has received over 800 claims and have settled more than half – paying out a total of $1.4 million to claimants. .
Terry closed his remarks by saying that despite what might be reported, most of the Afghans he has spoken with said they feel that security is getting better.
“As security improves, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the south, the leaders who are sitting here with me, will be able to begin more projects that will benefit their people,” Terry said.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2011 01:47 |
| Story ID: | 63516 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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