NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
February 20, 2004
Release Number: 04-02-39
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION FORCES EXPAND PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS IN AFGHANISTAN
Kabul, Afghanistan - The Asadabad Provincial Reconstruction Team officially opened its doors Thursday, Feb. 19, following a ceremony at the Civil Military Operations Center in Asadabad. The Asadabad PRT will serve the provinces of Konar and Nurestan.
This opening represents another step in the PRT expansion process aimed at extending the reach of the Afghan central government by delivering security and dramatically accelerating reconstruction, development and long-term stability across Afghanistan.
Attending the opening ceremony were the Afghan Minister of Health, Dr. Shaila Sadiq, the Senior Advisor to Interior Minister, Shamahmood Miakhel, the Deputy to Minister of Women's Affairs, Najiba Sharif, Konar Governor, Fazel Akbar, Mayor of Asadabad, Sayed Anmin, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalizad, and the commander of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, U.S. Lt. Gen. David Barno.
Ambassador Khalizad said in his remarks that "Better access to roads, health care, water and education are just a few areas that will continue to benefit with the arrival of this new PRT."
PRTs serve as a catalyst for stabilization, building relationships and enabling the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Coalition forces and NATO currently operate seven other PRTs in Afghanistan, with an additional four scheduled to open within the next several months.
-30-
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
