Joint Chiefs officials meet with Afghan leaders

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bob Everdeen
  • Air Force Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat
QALAT, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district, three additional members of the Washington-based Joint Staff stopped by for a meeting with the provincial governor here Oct. 7. 

Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, the Strategic Plans and Policy director; Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, the Operations director; and Navy Rear Adm. David Dorsett, the Intelligence Director, spent time with Zabul Province Governor Delbar Jan Arman to discuss priorities here. 

"This is an area with enemy activity," the governor said, referring to the country's bloodiest year since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion against the Taliban. "Security is our No. 1 priority, and with help from our U.S. and Romanian brothers, we can show the enemy we are strong." 

Task Force Zabul is a joint U.S. and Romanian unit that operates in the province. 

"We have some of the United States' best here to help you," General Sattler told the governor. "We have the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other military and civilian representatives." 

Two of the contributing factors to slow progress here are the 30 years of fighting that have plagued the country and the tribalism that is prevalent in his province, Governor Arman said.

"The enemy is always watching, seeing what we are doing, and then changing their tactics," he said. 

"In addition to better security, we need to focus on three things: roads; agriculture, including irrigation; and animals for the people. Our government is still new; we need patience and must move day by day, step by step," Governor Arman said.