HERAT, Afghanistan (Mar. 15) – The Commander of Regional Command West - Brigadier General Alessandro VELTRI - met in past days the governor of Herat, Yusuf NURISTANI, with whom he discussed the new shared issue to be taken together to contribute to further extend the authority and influence government in the province, through the works of reconstruction and development and through an increased involvement of government authorities and local security forces in the stabilization of the Region.
The meeting was attended by the highest civil and military authorities of the province (the Afghan National Police Regional Commander, General Yawar EKRAMUDDIN, the deputy commander of the 207th Corps of Afghan National Army, General Alijan SARWAI, the Commander of Afghan Border Police, General Noorzai MAHLAM, the Commander of the National Directorate of Security, General Mohammad HASAM).In particular, Governor NURISTANI explained the initiatives on the elimination of opium poppy cultivation, he intends to take, at the provincial level, during the incoming spring.Reiterating that the reduction of opium production is one of the President Karzai’s main objectives to pursue, in co-operation with the international community and the keystone for the development of a free and independent nation, the Governor announced his intention to launch the 2010 campaign for the eradication of poppy in the districts of Shindand and Chest-I-Sharif, located a hundred kilometers to the south and east of Herat. During his speech, General VELTRI, confirming the support of ISAF to the local government authorities, have, at the same time - over the expected strong economic and social impact of eradication initiatives - suggested the opportunity to require, on one side a strong promotional campaign focused on the purpose of government action and secondly, to undertake concrete actions in support of the population of affected areas, in order to prevent that the initiative could increase the insurgents propaganda and jeopardizing the positive but delicate balance of security so far achieved in areas of interest.Following the meeting, an important shura was convened the next day at the Shindand Governatorate, a building recently renovated by the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team, which was attended by the same governor of Herat, Yusuf NURISTANI, the governor of Shindand, Lal Mohammad OMARZAI, and the authorities above mentioned, to which, the Commander of Operational Mentoring Liaison Team, Colonel Giorgio CUZZELLI, the Commander of Task Force Center, Colonel Francesco Maria CERAVOLO, and the Deputy Commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team , Lieutenant Colonel Aldo NICASTRO have never brought their contributions and support.The purpose of the shura, for the first time, composed by more than 150 elders in the district of Shindand, the debate on the validity and opportunity to the opening of government campaign to eradicate opium crops.Governor NURISTANI has reiterated the principle that progress and development of Afghanistan, apart from ethnicity and religion, pass through the liberation from the yoke of poppy, a destabilizing factor for the economy and source of tension in international relationshipand also threat to the young generations.Local representatives, in taking note of the initiative, already announced, underlined the need for concrete actions in support of the community.In this sense, while they confirming their support and their willingness to prevent disruptive actions by hostile elements, the elders have particularly appreciated the intention expressed by ISAF to contribute concretely to meet the basic needs of villages, through the distribution of alternative crops, the installation of bridges, digging wells and building schools and clinics, activities already under implementation by the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team."I pledge here and now - said Mr. NORISTANI - to find alternatives to opium cultivation and to ensure the necessary economic resources to those who decide to join this important government program".One shared solution consists also in to encourage enlisting personnel in the Afghan National Security Forces which the Italian Army soldiers, along with the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza of ISAF Regional Command West, have long been initiated, in training and operational terms, their diuturna and effective action of mentoring."I will return soon to Shindand to meet the villagers - concluded governor NORISTANI - to make them feel the closeness and support of government authorities. A support, which is gradually strengthening, through an incisive work of reconstruction and development of the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team and the increasing level of security offered by the joint action of the Afghan security forces and ISAF Regional Command West ".
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