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First steps for stability in Marjah? | First steps for stability in Marjah? |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Mr Khalili (c) looks on as a US marine gave medical treatment to an Afghan mine victim in Marjan By Chris Morris BBC News, Marjah, Afghanistan | Mr Khalili (c) looks on as a US marine gave medical treatment to an Afghan mine victim in Marjan By Chris Morris BBC News, Marjah, Afghanistan |
Afghanistan's Vice-President, Abdul Karim Khalili, has visited the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, days after the national flag was raised over the former Taliban stronghold. | Afghanistan's Vice-President, Abdul Karim Khalili, has visited the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, days after the national flag was raised over the former Taliban stronghold. |
Nothing too surprising about that, you might think. | Nothing too surprising about that, you might think. |
After all, Marjah has been the main focus of Operation Moshtarak, the largest military operation carried out by Nato and its Afghan allies since 2001. | After all, Marjah has been the main focus of Operation Moshtarak, the largest military operation carried out by Nato and its Afghan allies since 2001. |
It is not going to be like the past. We will stay, and we will build and we will defend you Abdul Karim Khalili | It is not going to be like the past. We will stay, and we will build and we will defend you Abdul Karim Khalili |
But Mr Khalili's fleeting visit - accompanied by Nato commander, Gen Stanley McChrystal and senior civilian representative, Mark Sedwill - draws attention to one of the most critical issues in this entire campaign. | But Mr Khalili's fleeting visit - accompanied by Nato commander, Gen Stanley McChrystal and senior civilian representative, Mark Sedwill - draws attention to one of the most critical issues in this entire campaign. |
Can the Afghan government, the central government in Kabul, actually deliver on its promises? | Can the Afghan government, the central government in Kabul, actually deliver on its promises? |
After stepping off a Nato helicopter, Mr Khalili certainly sought to reassure a crowd of local men gathered in a field on the edge of town. | After stepping off a Nato helicopter, Mr Khalili certainly sought to reassure a crowd of local men gathered in a field on the edge of town. |
'Only the beginning' | 'Only the beginning' |
"We will bring peace and stability," he said. | "We will bring peace and stability," he said. |
"It is not going to be like the past. We will stay, and we will build and we will defend you. | |
"This," he said, "is only the beginning." | "This," he said, "is only the beginning." |
But do they believe him? Should they believe him? | But do they believe him? Should they believe him? |
There is no question that people have been badly let down before. | There is no question that people have been badly let down before. |
Gen McChrystal says getting direct feedback from the people is key | Gen McChrystal says getting direct feedback from the people is key |
Mr Khalili's audience was polite but subdued. There were complaints about family members who were killed in the military operation, and about property which had been damaged or destroyed. | Mr Khalili's audience was polite but subdued. There were complaints about family members who were killed in the military operation, and about property which had been damaged or destroyed. |
There is clearly a long way to go to establish trust. But Nato commanders hope something positive is beginning to happen. | There is clearly a long way to go to establish trust. But Nato commanders hope something positive is beginning to happen. |
Having a senior politician from Kabul visiting an area where the Taliban had held sway for so long in the absence of any government presence is a good first step. | Having a senior politician from Kabul visiting an area where the Taliban had held sway for so long in the absence of any government presence is a good first step. |
"He came down to see Marjah and to represent the president," Gen McChrystal said as he watched from the sidelines, "[ ] and, particularly in a difficult security environment, to get direct feedback from the people is really key". | "He came down to see Marjah and to represent the president," Gen McChrystal said as he watched from the sidelines, "[ ] and, particularly in a difficult security environment, to get direct feedback from the people is really key". |
Corruption | Corruption |
But what is equally important for Nato now is that the Afghan government really does follow up on its commitment - to development and security in places like Marjah - over the long term. | But what is equally important for Nato now is that the Afghan government really does follow up on its commitment - to development and security in places like Marjah - over the long term. |
Given its track record, there are serious doubts about whether it has the capacity to do so. | Given its track record, there are serious doubts about whether it has the capacity to do so. |
Some Afghan ministries are clearly more capable than others, and corruption continues to be a huge cause for concern. | Some Afghan ministries are clearly more capable than others, and corruption continues to be a huge cause for concern. |
International experts from the US and Britain will be helping re-establish effective civilian government in remote parts of Helmand province. | International experts from the US and Britain will be helping re-establish effective civilian government in remote parts of Helmand province. |
But, in the end, it is the Afghan government which will have to deliver. | But, in the end, it is the Afghan government which will have to deliver. |
"We have to keep reviewing the progress we make and no-one expects that it is going to be easy," said Mark Sedwill. | "We have to keep reviewing the progress we make and no-one expects that it is going to be easy," said Mark Sedwill. |
"But I'm confident we have a better system in place to involve the central government than we've had before." | "But I'm confident we have a better system in place to involve the central government than we've had before." |
For now, the main focus is on one district - Marjah. | For now, the main focus is on one district - Marjah. |
But other military operations are in the pipeline, in other parts of Helmand and in neighbouring Kandahar. | But other military operations are in the pipeline, in other parts of Helmand and in neighbouring Kandahar. |
And all of them, if they are to succeed, will need strong civilian support from Kabul. | And all of them, if they are to succeed, will need strong civilian support from Kabul. |
It's uncharted territory. | It's uncharted territory. |
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