Afghan Leaders Discuss Reconciliation (this will make your blood boil)

American Forces Press Service ^ | Capt. Tony Wickman, USAF

[SandRat]

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2009 – Four provincial governors and a 21-member executive committee from the eastern Afghanistan peace and development jirga – a group of elders -- met in the Nangarhar governor’s compound Nov. 10 to discuss the group’s charter and its top priorities.

U.S. Army Col. Randy A. George, Task Force Mountain Warrior commander, center left, meets with Afghan leaders, including four provincial governors, and a U.S. State Department official to discuss ways to reconcile with Taliban and other Afghans who do not support the central government, Nangarhar governor’s compound, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Beth Raney  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Provincial governors, elders and religious leaders from Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces gathered to lay out their home-grown plan to improve security and development in the four easternmost Afghan provinces.

The group’s top priority is to find ways to reconcile with Taliban and other Afghans who do not support the central government.

“Today is a day of happiness, because we are working for future peace and development,” said Nangarhar Gov. Gul Agha Sherzai. “The main purpose today is to discuss the problems and work for the reconciliation in the eastern zone. We want to bring our brothers back to peace.”

Sherzai said many problems need resolution, and he called on the executive committee to rise to the challenge.

The committee’s main objective is to support President Hamid Karzai’s decree of national reconciliation.

“We’re ahead of what is happening elsewhere in Afghanistan, and it’s being noticed in Kabul,” said Kunar Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi. “We must reconcile with our brothers, because the fighting isn’t working.”

Lagham Gov. Lutfullah Mashal told the committee that the regional jirga does not conflict with the laws or will of the national government.

“I believe what we do here is in agreement with the Afghan Constitution and will bridge the gap between the [religious] leaders, the government and the people,” Mashal said. “The jirga will have a strong relationship with Kabul.”

The jirga will help to address, over the long term, many of the economic, security and social problems in the eastern provinces, he added.

Army Col. Randy A. George, Task Force Mountain Warrior commander, attended the meetings as an observer and expressed support for the group.

“We're pleased to see Afghan-led initiatives at the regional and subregional level that can help connect traditional structures to the government, and pursue local opportunities for progress,” George said. “We’re here to help and support such endeavors, where Afghans work together for greater prosperity and peace.”

The executive committee discussed its charter and mission statement, and voted in agreement on each tenet. Handling reconciliation, fighting narcotics and smuggling, rooting out corruption, helping with employment and social justice programs and coordinating on development projects are included in the charter.

The committee also agreed that the governors would support the jirga executive committee financially to execute the charter. After the meeting, the four governors dedicated with much fanfare a new office for the executive committee near the Nangarhar governor’s compound.

Sherzai told the executive committee to return in a week and bring their ideas, information and plans from their communities on what it will take to reconcile with “our sad brothers.”

(Air Force Capt. Tony Wickman serves in the public affairs office of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Kunar province.)

[SandRat]

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[freekitty]

I am furious.

[DoughtyOne]

You can count me in as a person whose first reaction is to have my gut wrench when I read this stuff. What we have to keep in perspective though, is what took place in Iraq.

We had Shiites, Sunnis, and other sects wanting to settle old scores. Much of the early terrorism was committed by these various groups. At some point we decided to make sure the government was going to be inclusive. We instituted outreach and at some point the folks decided to lay down their arms, and learn to live together.

It was a tough job, but our men made it work. It took a lot of troops, a shoot at will policy, and letting the terrorists know that they would never win.

Now that there’s a high level of peace over there, I don’t think the Iraqis want it to go back to the way it was. That in and of itself is why I think Iraq will continue on towards more progress from here on out.

At some point there is going to have to be some contingent of Taliban that will remain, and remain in peace. I can’t totally dismiss the idea of negotiating participation and representation. It could bring peace to the region rather quickly, if some solid agreements could be made.

I know what some will say, that’s impossible. A few years back I was thinking the same thing about the Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq.

So while my stomach wrenches to think of the Taliban being included, it may work. It’s worth a try.

With Obama acting more and more like a cut and run junkie, this may be our only option.

If you disagree, I can certainly understand why.

I firmly believe we need to be very careful about extending trust here. We should be weary and mindful of the reality.

[DoughtyOne]

I meant that to be wary, not weary.

[Dinah Lord]

You’re right SandRat - it did make my blood boil.

[MizSterious]

Think about it. They know the US is going to bail on them. Now they’re just looking for ways to survive the upcoming bloodbath. Be furious at Obama.

[Jim Noble]

Why should this make my blood boil?

"Afghanistan" is what it is.

An intervention that would have been effective while recognizing reality could have been completed by December 15, 2001.

The impending disaster in Central Asia was set in motion the day Operation Infinite Justice was renamed, and Obama, while he certainly isn't doing anything constructive, is not the author of our defeat.

HIS name is George W. Bush.

[Francois Marie Arouet]

why?

The Taliban must be reintegrated but not in control. They are part and parcel of the population

Our enemy was Al Queda, not the Taleban. If AQ is disallowed, the internal turmoil will be diminished.

this group has the ability to eliminate the presence of AQ if there is the will

[freekitty]

Who are you?

[freekitty]

Tell me I am not furious with him.