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KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment “Titans,” who partnered with the district governor of the Arghandab River Valley made history July 9 by opening the first civic center in the western Arghandab River Valley.
The civic center is the first link that the district governor now has to the western side of Arghandab, which is very important to the stability and security of the district. The west side of the valley is one of the most underdeveloped regions in all of Kandahar province.
Just last year, the western Arghandab was one of the most feared regions of Kandahar province to travel or operate through, with Afghan National Security and coalition forces getting attacked daily by small-arms and indirect fire.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to open this building for the people. Just eight to nine months ago we couldn’t do this [here in the Arghandab District],” said Shah Muhammad, Arghandab District governor, during his remarks for the opening ceremony. “Now the security has improved enough to do this, and we need to work together to ensure that the security stays good here.
“The coalition forces got rid of the enemy, and now I am asking the people of the western Arghandab to help improve security,” he said. “There are people who say that the security is bad, but there are people that are coming from outside the Arghandab to make this region bad. I am asking the people that live here to help make the security good. We do not need any more fighting here. The enemies are cowards. We as the people need to help the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National. We need people to enlist in the Afghan Local Police Force so that villages can be safe for people,” continued Muhammad.
“This cultural center will be a great help in the future. It is a great security victory for all International Security Forces, ANA, and ANP forces here in Arghandab,” said Maj. Gen. Ahmed Habibi, the commander of the 1st Brigade, 205th ANA Corps.
Fifty village elders from the western Arghandab region attended the opening ceremony for the civic center, as well as the commander of Combined Task Force Warhorse, Col. Kolasheski, Maj. Gen. Habibi, and soldiers and leaders from 3-71 Cavalry at Combat Outpost Terra Nova.
The civic center serves as a place where people can go to talk to Arghandab District officials and even the DG, about issues ranging from security and development projects to funds to start businesses or establishing police forces in their villages. Another aim of the center is a place where enemy insurgents can come to the center and lay down their arms – reintegrating and embracing peace rather than war.
“We need to start the reintegration program here,” stated Maj. Gen. Habibi. “I beg you to bring them [insurgents] back to their homes. After 30 years of fighting, it is time to bring the fighters back home so that they can be home and live in peace. ISAF is here to help us with this process. A lot has been accomplished and we need to maintain the security here. We need to help ISAF as well with ongoing construction and rebuilding homes and mosques that have been destroyed in fighting. The ANA is here for you, and I promise if the enemy tries to come back, we won’t let them.”
District Governor, Shah Muhammad, and Habibi, with village leaders all together cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the civic center, signifying a bright sign of the possibility for peace in the western Arghandab. Following the ribbon cutting, everyone at the ceremony, even American military leaders, jammed into the new center enjoying refreshments together and rejoicing about the opening of the new building.
“Today is a happy day,” stated Col. Mangal, the commander of the 1st Kandak. “We are opening this center in front of the Afghan leaders and American friends. We are looking forward to this place help the people here in western Arghandab. It can be used by the district governor to help the people. Peace is for the people to take advantage of and the people will use this building to help keep the peace and start the process of education throughout the western Arghandab. The ANA and the people must work ‘shoulder to shoulder.’ With peace we can reconstruct and rebuild the western Arghandab.”
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2011 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 74524 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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