RC-West Italian PRT transfers authority

HERAT, Afghanistan (Apr. 10) ¬–¬¬ Brig. Gen. Alessandro Veltri, commander of Regional Command West, presided over a Transfer of Authority ceremony held today at the “Conference Hall” of the governorate of Herat.Col. Claudio Dei, Commander of 131st Tank Regiment and his troops were relieved by Col. Emmanuele Aresu, Commander of the 1st Mountain artillery Regiment. Aresu and his unit took over responsibility for the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat.

Several local dignitaries attended the ceremony. Among them were the Governor of Herat, Yusuf Nuristani, the Mayor of Herat, Salim Traki, the President of the Provincial Council, Nazir Ahmad, the provincial commander of the Afghan National Police, Gen. Mohammad Ehsas. In addition, numerous other political, military and religious authorities from Herat Province attended the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, the PRT and local officials inaugurated the new "Conference Hall.” The governerate of Herat’s newest structure is a modern building and the latest project overseen by the outgoing PRT. The structure, which covers around 750 sq. meters, includes a ground floor Hall and general services, while the upper floor is made of a large conference room. The Italian Ministry of Defense provided more than 165,000 euro for the project.

Dei said he was honored to have served in Afghanistan and been able to provide benefits its people. “The goal of the Provincial Reconstruction team was always to deliver projects to meet the specific needs of the local population,” Dei said.

The results of these six months of hard work, Dei said, speak for themselves. The team completed 52 large-scale projects and 106 "quick-impact” projects" in various sectors. In addition, the team participated in numerous initiatives of social interest, some of which were aimed at promoting the role of women as a central element and progressive in Afghan society.

Nuristani expressed his sincere and deep gratitude to the members of the team.

“The close cooperation between governmental institutions in the province of Herat and the Provincial Reconstruction team have always and only worked for the good of the people,” Nuristani explained. “You have always worked with full respect for our feelings, customs and traditions.”

Veltri expressed his satisfaction and gratitude for the great accomplishments of the PRT during the mission. “This mission, in which you spent the entire time among the Afghan people I can see you earned their utmost confidence and unanimous praise,” Veltri said.

“It is no accident that for the first time a Transfer of Authority ceremony is carried out in the presence of local residents and in the new headquarters for the provincial government authority. The goals you achieved will contribute to the stability of Afghanistan and are in keeping with the long and proud history of the regiment.”

At the end of the ceremony, Veltri expressed his best wishes to Aresu and his troops for the success of their Mission.