Here are some things that make the future look bright. We make progress in spite of the insurgency. Painting a glowing picture doesn’t sell as many papers as gloom and doom, but here is how things are.
· The Afghan security forces continue to grow in capacity and capability.
· In 2001, only 8% of Afghans had access to healthcare; the figure now stands at more than 80%.
· We have supported thousands of provincial reconstruction team projects including well-drilling, schools, roads, bridges, medical facilities, micro-hydro power, district centers, and court houses.
· Thousands of kilometers of road have been asphalted.
· Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects has been completed since 2001.
· In 2001, 1.2 million children attended school daily; in 2006, 6 million, including 2 million girls, attend school daily.
· Hundreds of thousands of mines have been cleared and destroyed.
· Economy has been expanded by more than 40% yet inflation rate has remained under 10% since 2001.
During my trip to the Palaces the other day, I travelled through an area of Kabul I had never been to before. The shops/business were booming, a lot of products for sale including food markets. We saw many vehicles of all types. Many people walked freely around without a care, we still wore our armor though, comfort level you know.
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7 comments:
This is great! I don't know how but maybe Kathy and/or someone from SBHS can send it to the Star-Ledger or the Asbury Park Press and get it published in the letters to the editor section. I presume some sort of clearance would have to be obtained especially if it were signed by a Captain in the Navy on duty in Afghanistan!
Yes , its about progress. My thinking is that our people should know that there is some progress rather than none at all, which is what the liberal press would have the country believe. Keep punching!Many of us are behind you!!
It's about progress, not final success or anything like that. The idea is that we provide support and assist with security, governance, and reconstruction and development. There is still a food crisis here, a drought, and a lot of fighting. The point is we are making progress and getting the country to a place they would like to be. The road is so slow though. I'm most encouraged by the increases in education, although the insurgents enjoy burning down schools that teach girls.
Make sure you pass your message along if you bump into a wayward Democatic Presidential nominee...my side of the ailse needs to get past certain things and embrace a braoder picture. Wouldn't imagine we will though when they convene in Colorado later this summer.
He flew into the Embassy last night and was at our HQ this morning and then to the US camp right near us that we go to a lot. He didn't meet with any of us here other than the Commander I imagine as I wasn't invited. I was detoured around the base and couldn't enter my work area through the normal entrance. I guess I wasn't to be trusted. Afterall, I was armed. Haven't heard anything of the visit today or what happens tomorrow, we'll see what people say. We haven't had a call from a US VIP since right before I got here (Rice). I was very annoyed that the VP didn't come talk to us a few months ago when he was here.
Ithan-
Happy anniversary! It's hard to believe it has been five years already. I hope your last few days in Afghanistan go quickly and easily. We have been having 90 plus degree days here for a while. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Robert and Sheree
it would be nice if my side could spell broader of course!
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