TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan – Speaking before an assembled group of provincial government officials and community elders, the senior civilian in Afghanistan told those in attendance that “Uruzgan must speak with one voice†if they are to succeed.
Ambassador Mark Sedwill was in the provincial capital of Uruzgan yesterday to meet with its leaders and get an update from Combined Team Uruzgan and Afghan National Security Force leadership on the status and progress of work in the area since CTU took over from a Dutch task force nearly a month ago.
“If the people of Uruzgan come together and speak with one voice,†the Ambassador said. “Then you can drive out the terrorists who threaten you from the outside.â€
But the more important aspect of Mr. Sedwill’s message came when he explained how speaking with one voice is also the way to begin to heal a province that has been torn apart by war almost since the first salvo’s fired by coalition forces nine years ago.
“You can bring back within your tribes and your communities the young men, the upset brothers who have drifted into violence.†The Ambassador added.
As part of his tour to the province Ambassador Sedwill visited a local boy’s school where he presented the provincial minister of education with a NATO plaque in appreciation for his efforts.
Mr. Sedwill was also briefed on the status of Afghan efforts to ensure a safe and honest election by the commander of the Afghan National Army Brigade, the Provincial Chief of Police and the provincial head of the International Election Commission.
http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/sedwill-uruzgan-must-speak-with-one-voice.html
