Military

One of the long-term goals is to ensure that "26 million people have a right to
expect a future that is better than the past," Franks said.

While no decision has been made, officials are looking at construction at established
bases, like Khanabad in Uzbekistan and Jacobabad in Pakistan, Franks told the House Armed
Services Committee.

Currently, U.S. forces are not erecting any permanent structures in the area of
responsibility, said CENTCOM spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Compton.

Forces either use existing structures or erect temporary housing, mess halls and
recreational facilities, he said.

"Right now, we're doing whatever is needed to meet the mission," he
said.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said he opposes a permanent U.S. presence
because of Pakistani resentment of American policies, but has stated that the United
States can remain if officials prove their case that they are needed for peace efforts in
Afghanistan.

And the United States has spoken with Yemeni officials and leaders of other countries
to train their military forces to combat terrorism.

"Just in our [area] there are several states that remain a concern to us,"
Franks said. "Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Iran and Iraq. . We will not use the
Afghanistan model [everywhere]."

Yemen, so far, has taken a lead in seeking U.S. help, Franks said.

Permanence, if approved, primarily would be to provide military training and aid to
countries seeking to begin their own plans to root out terrorists, Franks said.

The United States has no interest to "impose" its own governmental standards
and practices within the region, according to Franks and Peter Rodman, assistant Secretary
of Defense for International Security Affairs, in response to some lawmakers'
concerns.

"We're liberators, not conquerors," bellowed Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C.

"We will exert influence because we have plenty of influence, but we will not
impose," Rodman said.

President Bush has stated that while the United States will not be the lead in
peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, its military will help establish and train a new
Afghan army.

Franks testified that, in his opinion, the new Afghan army must be multiethnic and
multitribal "to breakdown the warlordism" attitudes of the up-and-coming
leadership and soldiers.

In all likelihood, it will be the U.S. military who will help train the new Afghan
army, Franks said.

A more permanent U.S. presence in the region is needed for easy access for combat
search-and-rescue and humanitarian missions, Franks said.

It's also needed to face increasing threats from other nations, such as Iran, the
Sudan, Somalia and especially Iraq, which U.S. intelligence gathered that President Saddam
Hussein continues to work toward developing weapons of mass destruction.