KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (10 April) – Close to 100 civilian and military vehicles from several NATO countries operating in Southern Afghanistan were joined by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) vehicles in a re-supply convoy between Kandahar City and ISAF Forward Operating Bases in Northern Helmand over the weekend. “Our goal of providing a secure and stable environment, where reconstruction and development in Northern Helmand is now almost within reach at this stage,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Stephane Grenier, ISAF Regional Command South Spokesperson. “Convoys such as these would have been virtually unthinkable months ago. Although we have not eliminated the threat completely, we are seeing definite signs of improvements,” he added. Over the last week and immediately after securing Sangin District Centre, ISAF conducted a number of multinational convoys in the area to deliver much needed supplies so that the ANSF and ISAF can build the permanent security infrastructure required for long term ANSF presence in the area. The convoy which took place over the weekend took approximately 11 hours to reach its destination across both difficult terrain and Highway One. Operation Achilles was launched in early March to provide the enduring security conditions to enable reconstruction and development to take place including the Kajaki Project. This multi year project, once completed will not only increase electrical power for residents, industries and commerce in Southern Afghanistan, but also improve the water supply for local communities and rehabilitate irrigation systems for farmlands of the Sangin Valley. 10-Kilometre road race takes place in Kandahar City
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (10 April) – It was a great show of force; however, no military equipment or weapons were used. Hundreds of locals, young and old flocked to an assembly area just north of Kandahar City to participate in a 10-kilometre road race, April 8. Encouraging participants at the starting line was Lieutenant Colonel Bob Chamberlain, Commander of ISAF’s Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team and Kandahar Provincial Governor Asadullah Khalid.
“This is great,” stated Lieutenant-Colonel Chamberlain as he spoke with the enthusiastic runners and passed on words of encouragement. “The fact that this race can be held in an area where there was fighting just last year is an extremely encouraging sign.” Governor Khalid greeted participants and mingled with the crowd prior to the race. He told the crowd that the race was about choosing to live a healthy lifestyle; the race was for titled, Run for Peace and Unity. One young runner jokingly bragged in front of his friends and other runners that he was the one to beat. Sporting well-worn shoes, shorts and a huge smile, he told of how fast he was and how he was ready to win the U.S. $1,000 first prize donated by a large Afghan wireless service provider.
He was not the only participant excited; however, race organizers were extremely pleased that 500 runners came out for yesterday’s event. While the winner of the race claimed his prize, “the real winners of the day were the people of Kandahar City,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlain. Copyright (c) 2007. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org and http://dndtalk.com/Joomla,dndtalk.ca |
