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
March 4, 2004
Release Number: 04-03-05
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM OPENS IN AFGHANISTAN
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Coalition-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghazni officially opens its doors today following a ceremony at the site. The Ghazni PRT will serve the whole province, potentially reaching 1.86 million people.
This official 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.
Among those attending the opening ceremony are Minister of the Interior Jalali; Minister of Justice Abdul Rahim Karimi; Minister of Health Dr. Sohila Seddig; Ghazni Governor Haji Hassid Asadullah; Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Jean Arnault; U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad; and commander of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David Barno.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Stephen Ford commands the team of approximately 50 soldiers who have been manning the partially operational PRT since January, integrating the efforts of the Afghan government, the non-governmental organization community and the coalition as well as setting conditions to enhance security and bring a wide variety of programs and initiatives aimed at enabling and assisting Afghans realize their vision of building a stable, self-sufficient nation.
The PRT is already making a noticeable difference in the province, facilitating more than $102,000 in U.S. funds for such projects as the repair of three wells at the Jahan Maliki Girls High School, eight wells in the village of Spendi Ulya, and one well in the village of Petaw. Other projects include the purchase of two dump trucks and a septic pump truck for the city of Ghazni.
The PRT has also facilitated Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid funding of $165,000 to rebuild Ramak High School in the district of Dahyak, with construction scheduled to begin this spring.
"Wherever provincial reconstruction teams go, security follows," according to Barno. "We're very much engaged in using those PRTs as a way to enhance security in the south and east - working in concert with our military forces stationed in the region and the Afghan government."
"Today, the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team represents a milestone," U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said. "The Ghazni PRT will help foster a safer, more secure Afghanistan. This PRT, like the others already established around the country, will provide security through the presence of Coalition forces while at the same time serve as an engine to jump-start regional reconstruction,"
PRTs serve as a catalyst for stabilization, building relationships and enabling the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Coalition forces and NATO currently operate eleven other PRTs in Afghanistan, with three grand openings scheduled in the next two months and four more PRTs scheduled to become operational this spring and summer.
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