Photo By Cpl. Katherine Keleher | Brigadier Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division...... read more read more
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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan – The Quran discusses the word shura as a principle, which is roughly similar to consultation in Arabic; encouraging Muslims to discuss and decide their affairs with those who will be affected by their decisions.
Regional Command Southwest leadership participated in a transition shura, or meeting, Nov. 28, at the Helmand Provincial Governor’s Compound in Lashka Gah. During the shura, senior Afghans and coalition ground forces commanders in Nawa and Nad ‘Ali presented security plans for transitioning those districts into Afghan control.
Briefs were presented to Regional Command Southwest’s senior leadership, including Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of RC(SW) and II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division (Fwd.) and Task Force Leatherneck.
“Today’s meeting was about identifying and confirming that Nad ‘Ali, Nawa and Marjah are at the right state to enter into the transition process,” explained Toolan, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Although Marjah was not represented during this shura, the district is scheduled for transition at the same time as Nad ‘Ali and Nawa.
Toolan explained that the goals for the shura were to give key Afghan leadership an opportunity to focus on security plans, moving Nad ‘Ali and Nawa districts toward a safer direction for their communities. In addition to security, the district governors briefed the commanders on the concept of operations for independence, self sufficiency, and the transition ceremonies.
“There are about 20 or 30 different things each district has to eventually build up to in order to make them eligible for transition,” Toolan said.
Toolan and Craparotta were greeted in Lashkar Gah by Governor Gulab Mangal, Helmand province’s provincial governor.
Over 30 governmental, military and police officials participated, including Governor Adbudl Manat, district governor of Nawa, and Governor Habibullah Khan, district governor of Nad ‘Ali.
Manat spoke positively about his district’s relationship with coalition forces and he pressed his confidence in the future plans and current successes Nawa is undergoing.
Khan, also confident in his district’s current position with coalition troops, assured Mangal, Toolan and Craparotta that the leaders of his Afghan National Security Forces have been doing the best they can to secure Nad ‘Ali.
“It was a very successful meeting,” said Qamar Jabarkhiel, the RC(SW) cultural adviser. “We’ve seen that the Afghan National Security Forces are ready, willing and the representatives of local governments were excited. It seems like their confidence has developed with their security forces.”
With progress in both districts, Toolan said he is expecting to begin drawing down troops he has in Nawa and Nad ‘Ali in the near future. The general stressed that if progress continues, he plans to begin enabling both districts to transition around October 2012.
During transition, coalition troops will shadow Afghan troops, acting as advisors while Afghan forces take over control of their territories. Coalition forces will be responsible for tasks such as medical evacuations and air-fire support.
“The importance of this event is that the Afghan National Security Forces and their local governance on the provincial level are giving a very positive message to the people of Afghanistan, especially to the people of Helmand province,” Jabarkhiel said.
“It shows them they are improved and they are able to deliver basic services, which includes their security as well.”
| Date Taken: | 11.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2011 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 80660 |
| Location: | LASHKAR GAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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