U.S. Will Support Afghan Reconciliation Efforts, Official Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 – The United
States will support the Afghan government in efforts to step up its
reconciliation with the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan,
but not with al-Qaida or those who support it, Pentagon Press Secretary
Geoff Morrell told reporters today.
"They are an independent, sovereign state," Morrell said of the
Afghans’ stated interest in escalating reconciliation efforts. "If
that's what they see is in their best interest, we fully support it,
and we'll do whatever we can to help facilitate it."
Morrell
emphasized that U.S. support would be limited to those “willing to work
for the good of this democratically elected government [and] for the
peace and security of the Afghan people.”
“Those are the kind of people that we think it’s worth taking a shot to try to bring into the system,” he said.
The
United States will stop short of supporting reconciliation with foreign
fighters in Afghanistan, or Taliban leader Mullah Omar, who Morrell
said provided a safe haven and base for Osama bin Laden to train
terrorists who eventually launched the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“We
as a government do not believe that Mullah Omar is somebody you
reconcile with,” he said. “Mullah Omar has the blood of thousands of
Americans on his hands, based on the support he provided Osama bin
Laden. So we do not reconcile with al-Qaida.”
Defense
Secretary Robert M. Gates expressed similar endorsement of the Afghan
government’s interest in negotiating with insurgents during his return
flight from a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Budapest, Hungary,
earlier this month.
“What is important is detaching those who
are reconcilable and who are willing to be part of the future of the
country from those who are irreconcilable,” Gates told reporters.
“Part
of the solution is strengthening the Afghan security forces,” he said.
“Part of the solution is reconciliation with people who are willing to
work with the Afghans.”
Afghans residents improve community with Marines’ support
FARAH PROVINCE, Delaram, Afghanistan — Until just recently, local residents here in Delaram have been deprived of clean drinking water.
The inability to produce fresh water has caused some residents to resort to drawing filthy water from streams and rivers that run through their villages.
Conditions within this community have gradually begun to change, thanks to the assistance of the civil affairs Marines assigned to Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
These Marines, which are assigned to the task force’s 3rd Civil Affairs Group, have spearheaded numerous well water projects to give Afghan residents a reason to rejoice.
“These people are poor,” said Gunnery Sgt. Omar Palaciosreal, Team 2 chief, 3rd CAG and Moreno Valley, Calif., native. “It’s not like they can just turn on a faucet. They don’t have a faucet.”
This initiative to provide residents
with fresh water is merely one of many civil military operations
projects carried out by the Marines who deployed here in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. Other civil affairs projects
include school renovation, road improvement, well restoration and the
construction of nine new wells throughout the district and outlying
villages. More.....
FARAH PROVINCE, Delaram, Afghanistan-Marines assigned to 3rd Civil
Affairs Group, Task Force 2/7, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task
Force Afghanistan, assess the construction of a well project in
Delaram, Afghanistan., Sgt. Ray Lewis, 9/12/2008 3:23 AM
FARAH PROVINCE, Delaram, Afghanistan-Gunnery Sgt. Omar Palaciosreal
(right) speaks to a well worker through an interpreter while assessing
the construction of a well project in Delaram, Afghanistan.
Palaciosreal is a team leader for 3rd CAG, TF 2/7., Sgt. Ray Lewis, 9/12/2008 3:25 AM
News From NATO
KABUL, Afghanistan - General David McKiernan, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, has issued the following statement regarding this morning’s attack.
"Along with all the forces under my command, I condemn the perpetrators of this cowardly act. I would like to extend my condolences on behalf of ISAF to the families of those killed. My thoughts are also with those innocent parties unfortunate enough to have been caught up and injured in this violent incident. "
"Afghan authorities have reacted quickly and effectively. This once again shows that the insurgency will not win in the face of such determination."
MOVCON Team Foxtrot helps keep transport moving
British
Army Lance Cpl. Matthew Rees-Hall briefs a group of British soldiers
who were about to be transported to Camp Julien in West Kabul at the
Movement Control pick up site at the International Security Assistance
Force headquarters.
(High resolution photo)
KABUL, Afghanistan - To the naked eye it’s just a map. Squiggly lines, square city blocks, roads, twists and turns. But not this map.
This map of Kabul has meaning. Each color-coded route and each highlighted road symbolizes months, and in some cases, years, of reconnaissance, planning, lives lost, and immeasurable hard work to map out safe routes for members of the British Movement Control teams that work out of Force Protection and Transport Company at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul. More...
ISAF provides medical assistance to an Afghan civilian involved in RTA
KANDAHAR,
Afghanistan - At approximately 15:45 p.m. an Afghan civilian suffered
severe injuries during a road traffic accident in Uruzgan province.
He was evacuated by helicopter to ISAF medical facilities in Tarin Kowt where he received first aid from ISAF medical staff.
No ISAF troops were involved in the road traffic accident.
What the Taliban's media campaign fails to mention...
Afghanistan Photostory: The Taliban's media offensive is as notable for what they don't show as what they do. This photostory gives a few examples.
1st Lt. Trevor J. Yurista, 32, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., died Oct. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Stumble It!
