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Oct. 15, 2004  War on Terror   Transformation   News Products   Press Resources   Images   Websites   Contact Us 
Into Afghanistan: Rooting Out Terrorists: Operation Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years. Defense Dept. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Johnny Bivera.
A Growing Danger
     A little over three years ago, al Qaeda was already a growing danger. The leader, Osama bin Laden, was safe and sheltered in Afghanistan. His network was dispersed throughout the world and had been attacking American interests for much of the 1990s.
     Three years later, more than three-quarters of al Qaeda's key members and associates have been detained or killed. Osama bin Laden is on the run, many of his key associates are behind bars or dead, his financial lines have been reduced.
     Once controlled by extremists, Afghanistan today is led by Hamid Karzai, a moderate leader who opposes terrorism and supports democracy. Soccer stadiums once used for public executions under the Taliban are today used ... for soccer.
     Over 10 million Afghans, 40 percent of them women, have registered to vote in the country's first national election on
Oct. 9.
     It is clear that the Afghan people are winning the struggle against the extremists, and that the promise for Afghanistan's future is bright.

Operation Enduring Freedom Image
Peaceful Afghan Elections a 'Milestone'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2004 The presidential elections in Afghanistan Oct. 9 were a "milestone" in the history of the troubled country, said a coalition spokesman in Kabul today. Army Maj. Scott Nelson said Afghans "demonstrated to all on Saturday their  
powerful courage andresolve in the face of terrorist propaganda and threats of intimidation and violence." He said the success of the election is a testament to the will and perseverance of the individual Afghan citizen. | Story |
  WOMEN VOTE IN AFGHANISTAN
Photo, caption below
AFGHAN ELECTIONS A Joint Electoral Management Body employee, right, explains how to fill out an election ballot to an Afghan woman in the village of Raban during Afghanistan's first democratic presidential election October 9th. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mary Simms | 4 More Photos | More Afghanistan Photo Essays
Soldiers Deployed in Afghanistan Become Citizens
Photo, caption leftBAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2004 — For 17 members of the coalition serving in Afghanistan, living the "American Dream" became reality here Oct. 1 when they took the oath of citizenship. 
The National Defense Act signed by President Bush last year legalized the naturalization of U.S. servicemembers on foreign soil, allowing these 17 soldiers to become the first to take the oath overseas.
| Story |
  RELATED STORIES
• Coalition Forces Destroy Safehaven • Afghans Won't Be Subject to Taliban
• Afghans Lead the Way to Elections Election Will Lead to a Better Future
• Vote to Show Democracy, Islam Compatible  
Hunt Contiunes 24/7 for Osama Bib Laden
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2004 — The manhunt for Osama bin Laden continues "every day, 24 hours a day," the commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan told NBC News this week. Army Lt. Gen. David W. Barno, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan,  | Story |
Security In Place to Support Elections
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2004 — With more than 10 million Afghans — 40 percent of them women — registered to vote in their country's national elections today, the commander of coalition in forces in Afghanistan says it's a demonstration that they want to play an active role in their country's new future.  | Story |
Rice Sure Election Results Will Stand
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2004 — Despite claims of fraud from 15 of the 16 Afghan presidential candidates, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice is sure the results will stand, she told Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday today. "This election has been said to be by the U.N. and the Afghan Election Commission an election that clearly will reflect the views of the Afghan people," Rice said. | Story |
82nd Airborne Div. Paratroopers
Witness Afghan Transformation
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, including 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, deployed to Afghanistan in July 2002 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. | Story |
U.S. Commander Notes Great Successes
On Enduring Freedom's Third Anniversary
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2004 — Three years after the coalition began combat operations against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan, the Afghan people are just days away from a presidential election expected to be a major stabilizing effort in a lynchpin country in the war on terror | Story |
  RELATED LINKS
• The Election Process
• Outline of Progress
• Operation Enduring Freedom Timeline
• Provincial Reconstruction Teams
• Coalition Forces in Afghanistan
• News from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul
• USAID in Afghanistan
• Rebuilding Afghanistan
• Out of the Shadows: Women in Afghan Society
• NATO Support to Afghan Elections
• NATO in Afghanistan
• NATO International Security Assistance Force
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