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Former Afghan commanders lay weapons down, head home

By Master Sgt. Geoffrey Carter
July 6, 2005

GARDEZ, Afghanistan (Army News Service July 6, 2005) – Eighteen of Gulbiddin Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e Islami commanders turned themselves over to government officials in the Paktia Province June 12.

Under the terms of the Afghan government’s reconciliation program, Pakhm-e Sohl, the former commanders returned home after years of living in Pakistan.

Upon meeting with Governor Abdel Hakim Taniwal, Provincial Reconstruction Team or PRT Soldiers, and government representatives, who explained the provisions of the program to them, the commanders pledged their loyalty to the Karzai government by signing statements.

The loyalty statement to the Afghan government includes an agreement not to possess heavy weapons or take up arms against the Afghan government or Coalition forces. The commanders received new reconciliation identification cards and were embraced by Taniwal who welcomed them back to Afghan society.

Talking through an interpreter, Taniwal said today is another important step toward bringing complete peace to the province.

“By working together and talking about our differences, we have found the means to bring some of our fellow Afghans home to Paktia to become important members of the community,” he said. “They will help build our quality of life and peace that we all seek.”

“We are also enjoying the results of our enduring effort to bring allegiance and reconciliation to Afghanistan's new government, fostering trust and ownership in a new, democratic way to govern and care for our people. These gentlemen have returned home because of the trust and opportunity they see and heard about from their friends and families here,” Taniwal said.

Lt. Col. Stephen Tableman, commander of the Gardez PRT in Paktia, said this province demonstrates how a community comes together to restore its government and quality of life by overcoming the memories of war and conflict.

“Through Governor Taniwal's pro-active leadership throughout the province, working with his provincial leadership team and the wide range of Mullahs and tribal leaders, he creates trust and credibility needed by former warring parties to return home peacefully, and pledge their support to the new government,” Tableman said.

He explained the former commanders returned to a new life in their homeland because they believe in and trust what Governor Taniwal and his representatives are developing in Paktia.

“We are all pleased with this peaceful reconciliation and how the government allegiance and reconciliation progress is succeeding in bringing peace and development sought by the people here,” said Tableman.