Washington shows continued support for Afghanistan

Photo By Capt. Robert Everdeen | "Eight stars," Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, director for operations; Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, director for strategic plans and policy; and Navy Rear Adm. David Dorsett, director for intelligence, from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff office in the District of Columbia, receive a briefing from U.S. military and civilian leaders, Oct. 7, before meeting with the governor of Zabul province.  

QALAT, AFGHANISTAN

10.09.2007

Story by Capt. Robert Everdeen 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Air Force Capt. Bob Everdeen
Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team

QALAT, Afghanistan – Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district in Zabul province, three additional members of the Washington-based joint staff stopped by, Oct. 7, for a meeting with the Qalat provincial governor.

Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, director for operations; Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, director for strategic plans and policy; and Navy Rear Adm. David Dorsett, director for intelligence, spent time with Gov. Delbar Jan Arman to discuss priorities in the province.

"This is an area with enemy activity," the governor said, referring to the country's bloodiest year since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion against the Taliban. "Security is our number one priority and with help from coalition brothers, we can show the enemy we are strong."

Task Force Zabul is a joint International Security Assistance Force unit that operates in the province.

"We have some of the United States' best here to help you," Sattler told the governor. "We have the provincial reconstruction team, State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development and other military and civilian representatives."

According to Arman, two of the contributing factors to slower than desired progress are the 30 years of fighting that have plagued the country and the tribalism that is prevalent in his province.

"The enemy is always watching, seeing what we are doing, and then changing their tactics," the governor said. "In addition to better security, we need to focus on three things: roads; agriculture, including irrigation; and animals for the people. Our government is still new; we need patience and must move day by day, step by step."

• Date Taken: 10.09.2007
• Date Posted: 10.09.2007 08:18
• Story ID: 12780
• Location: QALAT, AF