DoD leaders see progress in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

DoD leaders see progress in Afghanistan
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 11, 2007 18:54:34 EST

Despite a marked resurgence in violence and backing provided by a record opium poppy crop, Taliban extremists in Afghanistan are not gaining ground and cannot win back the country they controlled for six years on the battlefield, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

“We’re doing a lot more than holding the Taliban at bay,” Gates told the House Armed Services Committee during a hearing on the status of U.S. efforts, strategy and operations in Afghanistan. “They cannot win militarily at this point.”

Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen cited the increased capability of the Afghan National Army, numerous ongoing reconstruction projects, a substantial increase in children attending school and more widespread medical care as evidence that the 6-year effort to stabilize Afghanistan is working.

Yet Mullen also noted that violence is 27 percent higher than at this time last year, with a 60 percent increase in Helmand Province alone. He also cited a recent poll showing that 23 percent of Afghanis living in the southwest region of the country say they support the Taliban, triple the figure from three years ago.

More NATO support, particularly personnel who can beef up the effort to train Afghani police, would help tamp down those trends, Gates said, adding that more trainers would help fill those ranks and help further stabilize Afghanistan. NATO has commanded the International Security Assistance Force for the past year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/military_afghanistan_gates_071211w/