KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The striped, beige turban hung cocked to one side of Doulat Khan Qayoumi’s head, as he spoke with elders of Zambar Village, Sabari District, for the first time June 16.
Qayoumi, the district governor for Sabari, is a lanky, charismatic man. His easygoing, quirky demeanor helped put local elders at ease during the meeting in an area widely regarded as a haven for insurgents.
“We believe this is the center of the Haqqani network’s support in Khowst,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jesse Pearson, pointing to the expanse of rolling hills and fields, punctuated on one side by a sharp perimeter of craggy mountains.
Pearson, a native of Joilet, Ill., is the commander of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke.
The Zambar area, like many of the outlying areas in Khowst province, is only now becoming open to cooperation with the Afghan government as news of the successes of more developed districts continues to spread.
“I’m here to ensure that this area has two rights. Your rights and the rights you owe your people,” said Qayoumi to the elders.
The shura, a first in the area, took place in the shade of a small grove of walnut trees with 11 of the village’s elders, alternately listening and speaking to Qayoumi, Col. Nasrah, the Afghan National Army brigade commander for Sabari and Lt. Roshan, the Afghan National Police commander for the area.
“We know that you are feeling pressure from the bad guys too,” Qayoumi continued. “I don’t want to win. The government does not want to win. We want you to win,” he said.
Sitting at the far edge of the shura ring and listening was Pearson, U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Deal, Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, from Chesapeake Va., U.S. Army Capt. Steve Baunach, PRT Civil Affairs Team Leader from West Lafayette, Ind., and other coalition and Afghan security forces.
The district governor took the opportunity to ask for feedback from the elders. Opening lines of communication and providing the locals a mechanism to address their concerns was a priority of the meeting.
“I have hope that the next time I come here, there will be 100 people sitting here,” said Qayoumi, stressing the importance of including more community members to help improve the area’s security.
“All of us should be aware of what our sons and brothers do,” said Nasrah to the villagers, who claimed not to know those who launched attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.
“Where does security come from? It comes from you first,” Nasrah said.
He told the elders not to be surprised if they see ANA or ANP patrolling through their villages. They are here to help, he said.
Qayoumi and the Zambar elders agreed to meet again at the district center to discuss their problems.
At the conclusion of the shura, the district governor took down the names and personal information of the elders at the meeting, and promised to work with them to not only improve area security, but also the lives of their people.
| Date Taken: |
06.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
06.18.2011 16:11 |
| Story ID: |
72340 |
| Location: |
KHOWST PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: |
139 |
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1 |
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