KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2006 – The United States has awarded $94 million to seven Afghan firms to build or improve road and water distribution systems in six Afghan provinces. The funds, awarded Oct. 19, will help build more than 390 kilometers of roads in Kandahar, Uruzgan, Nuristan, Kunar, Paktika and Ghazni provinces and establish water distribution systems in Bamyan and Kunar provinces. The new construction funds were awarded under the Commander's Emergency Response Program, a U.S. program to fund projects of urgent need. "Overall, roads are what provide the foundation for continued growth and prosperity in Afghanistan," Army Lt....