BoyElroy
02-26-2006, 07:12 PM
Press Association Newsfile
February 26, 2006 Sunday
HEADLINE: AFGHANS URGE BRITISH TROOPS `TO OPERATE IN AN ISLAMIC WAY'
BYLINE: Caroline Gammell, in Lashkar Ga, Helmand Province. Afghanistan
BODY:
British troops in southern Afghanistan must operate in an ``Islamic'' way and understand the culture if they are to succeed in winning hearts and minds, local people urged today.
They must shy away from the more heavy-handed approach of the US troops who have been in Helmand Province for the last three years but have not engaged with the Afghan population, staying in their vehicles as they patrol.
The Americans are based in the Helmand capital of Lashkar Ga, running the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), until 350 British soldiers take over in April.
Thousands of UK troops are moving to the dangerous province over the next few months to support the Afghan National Army (ANA) as it tries to extend its influence across the south of the country.
Remnants of the Taliban, members of al Qaida and other insurgent groups are thought to be operating from and hiding in remote parts of the region.
But in Lashkar Ga, where a tiny number of British troops are currently based, Afghans warned against ignoring the needs of the locals.
The UK soldiers who have been in the town for just over a week are trying to differentiate from the US by patrolling on foot and wearing berets.
But Muhamad Asif, a mason from Kandahar, said people were tired of troops parading around in their vehicles.
``If the international community understood Afghans through their culture and customs, it would help the people,'' he said.
``The other day I was driving and I saw some coalition troops who were driving as well and they waved me to the side of the road and said if I did not go they would hurt my car.
``I have seen these incidents, everybody has seen these incidents.
``The only way that they want to help with security is through the ANA but they should help the people because it is the locals who can bring security to the town.
``The soldiers should do their work all under the rules of Islam. If they do not do that, it will not work.''
Local Afghans were also clear about what would help destroy the country's multi-billion US dollar drugs industry which accounts for a third of the entire economy.
Mr Asif said the most important way to help was to build roads and infrastructure so that crops other than poppy could be grown in the area and sold locally at markets.
``We need roads but the international and British troops are building up their camps for security,'' he said.
Standing with a group of 30 Afghans in a crowded street in the town, the 42-year-old said the poppy problem would not disappear because people needed livelihoods: ``The main problem is because the people are jobless.
``If they had a job and there were companies here that people could work for then they would never have time to think about growing poppy.''
Tea-seller Niaz Muhammad said much more poppy had been grown in the last 12 months because the Afghan government's policy of destroying fields without compensation had left farmers poor.
But he said if a proper alternative was provided, then people would be happy to grow other produce.
``If the British or international community helps them, they will not grow poppy. They will grow wheat or cotton or whatever.
``Last year, the government eradicated some of the poppy and said it would give the people something in return but it did not - that is the only reason people grew more this year.''
The British government's Department for International Development (DfID) is contributing £500 million over the next five years to help provide alternatives for poppy farmers and labourers.
Policy-makers need to find a swift solution before the planting season starts in October.
But a DfID source said that the Afghan government was reluctant to provide financial compensation because it would be seen as a reward for growing the narcotic.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Worsley, who will oversee the British-led PRT in Lashkar Ga, said the UK troops would not be involved in any form of opiate crop eradication.
``You will never see British troops cutting down poppy,'' he said.
``If we are on patrol we could take down the grid reference of a suspected poppy field and tell the Afghan National Police.
``We will also train the ANA how to carry out effective stop and searches.''
Lt Col Worsley said British troops would patrol with the ANA in the south of Helmand where drug traffickers have carved out smuggling tracks in the gravel plains.
``There is currently no military presence whatsoever in that part of the region - either from coalition or Afghan troops, no outposts at all,'' he said.
``When we patrol, people will see the British Army and the ANA in collaboration working together.
``It is something they will never have seen before.''
LOAD-DATE: February 26, 2006
February 26, 2006 Sunday
HEADLINE: AFGHANS URGE BRITISH TROOPS `TO OPERATE IN AN ISLAMIC WAY'
BYLINE: Caroline Gammell, in Lashkar Ga, Helmand Province. Afghanistan
BODY:
British troops in southern Afghanistan must operate in an ``Islamic'' way and understand the culture if they are to succeed in winning hearts and minds, local people urged today.
They must shy away from the more heavy-handed approach of the US troops who have been in Helmand Province for the last three years but have not engaged with the Afghan population, staying in their vehicles as they patrol.
The Americans are based in the Helmand capital of Lashkar Ga, running the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), until 350 British soldiers take over in April.
Thousands of UK troops are moving to the dangerous province over the next few months to support the Afghan National Army (ANA) as it tries to extend its influence across the south of the country.
Remnants of the Taliban, members of al Qaida and other insurgent groups are thought to be operating from and hiding in remote parts of the region.
But in Lashkar Ga, where a tiny number of British troops are currently based, Afghans warned against ignoring the needs of the locals.
The UK soldiers who have been in the town for just over a week are trying to differentiate from the US by patrolling on foot and wearing berets.
But Muhamad Asif, a mason from Kandahar, said people were tired of troops parading around in their vehicles.
``If the international community understood Afghans through their culture and customs, it would help the people,'' he said.
``The other day I was driving and I saw some coalition troops who were driving as well and they waved me to the side of the road and said if I did not go they would hurt my car.
``I have seen these incidents, everybody has seen these incidents.
``The only way that they want to help with security is through the ANA but they should help the people because it is the locals who can bring security to the town.
``The soldiers should do their work all under the rules of Islam. If they do not do that, it will not work.''
Local Afghans were also clear about what would help destroy the country's multi-billion US dollar drugs industry which accounts for a third of the entire economy.
Mr Asif said the most important way to help was to build roads and infrastructure so that crops other than poppy could be grown in the area and sold locally at markets.
``We need roads but the international and British troops are building up their camps for security,'' he said.
Standing with a group of 30 Afghans in a crowded street in the town, the 42-year-old said the poppy problem would not disappear because people needed livelihoods: ``The main problem is because the people are jobless.
``If they had a job and there were companies here that people could work for then they would never have time to think about growing poppy.''
Tea-seller Niaz Muhammad said much more poppy had been grown in the last 12 months because the Afghan government's policy of destroying fields without compensation had left farmers poor.
But he said if a proper alternative was provided, then people would be happy to grow other produce.
``If the British or international community helps them, they will not grow poppy. They will grow wheat or cotton or whatever.
``Last year, the government eradicated some of the poppy and said it would give the people something in return but it did not - that is the only reason people grew more this year.''
The British government's Department for International Development (DfID) is contributing £500 million over the next five years to help provide alternatives for poppy farmers and labourers.
Policy-makers need to find a swift solution before the planting season starts in October.
But a DfID source said that the Afghan government was reluctant to provide financial compensation because it would be seen as a reward for growing the narcotic.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Worsley, who will oversee the British-led PRT in Lashkar Ga, said the UK troops would not be involved in any form of opiate crop eradication.
``You will never see British troops cutting down poppy,'' he said.
``If we are on patrol we could take down the grid reference of a suspected poppy field and tell the Afghan National Police.
``We will also train the ANA how to carry out effective stop and searches.''
Lt Col Worsley said British troops would patrol with the ANA in the south of Helmand where drug traffickers have carved out smuggling tracks in the gravel plains.
``There is currently no military presence whatsoever in that part of the region - either from coalition or Afghan troops, no outposts at all,'' he said.
``When we patrol, people will see the British Army and the ANA in collaboration working together.
``It is something they will never have seen before.''
LOAD-DATE: February 26, 2006