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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050707.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
July 11, 2005
Release Number: 05-07-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFGHANISTAN: TONS OF MUNITIONS COLLECTED; IED SUSPECT CAPTURED

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police officers turned in more then 1,000 rockets and other munitions to U.S. forces near Ghazni on July 7 after having collected them from around the region.

In addition to the rockets, police collected more then 400 mortar rounds, more than 200 recoilless rifle rounds, 150 machine gun rounds, 75 rocket-propelled grenades and four anti-tank mines. Ninety-five percent of the munitions were reported as serviceable and one quarter were still in their original packing materials.

Coalition forces transported the weapons to a nearby base for destruction.

"We are seeing district and provincial governments across the country prepare for the National Assembly Elections in September. Part of that process is vetting candidates who want to run for seats in the parliament," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Fenzel, deputy commander of the Coalition's Regional Command East. "But in order to be favorably considered as a candidate, former warlords, fighters, and citizens with caches of weapons have to demobilize and demilitarize to even be considered. We've watched a steady flow of weapons and ammunition being turned in and collected by the Afghan National Police around our area of operation, all as part of the democratic process. These are very clear signals that democracy and security are taking hold in Afghanistan."

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, U.S. Soldiers patrolling near Qalat captured a man believed to be responsible for the detonation of an improvised explosive device that was triggered as their convoy passed July 7. The detonation caused no injuries or damage.

The man believed to be responsible for the attack was being questioned.

U.S. forces pursued a second individual believed to be involved in the attack but were unable to apprehend him.

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