U.S. Department of Defense Official Website

Oct. 17, 2004

News from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul

Re-Development

• Radio Ghaznawiyan, the first independent radio station launched in Afghanistan entirely by private sector funds, is now operational in Ghazni.
• Construction is underway on the Kandahar to Tirin Kowt Road. The road is projected to be complete at the end of 2005.
• The Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development has begun a project with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to build 36 new water wells in Baghlan. This project will run until December 2004.
• The Sardeh irrigation system and the Zana Khan Dam in Ghazni are completed and are awaiting final inspection.
• Ariana Airlines is coordinating with Lufthansa Airlines to train and certify personnel to international standards.

Security Forces

• The graduation of Kandaks 23 and 24 added 1,500 troops to the ANA active force.
• As of Sept.12, 2004, 28,876 Afghan National police, 752 Border Police, 200 Highway Police, and 50 Counter Narcotics Police have been trained.

Health Care

• About 5,000 wheelchairs were distributed to disabled Afghans in cooperation with Life for Relief and Development, the Wheelchair Foundation, the U.S. Government, United Nations Office for Project Services, and the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled in Afghanistan. The Wheelchair Foundation for Afghanistan through Life for Relief and Development will donate an additional 5000 wheelchairs through the end of 2004.

Elections and Voter Registration

• More than 10.6 million Afghans have registered to vote, of which 41 percent are women.
• The presidential election campaign season officially opened Sept. 7.

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration / Heavy Weapons Cantonment

• A total of 1,916 heavy weapons have been cantoned in Jalalabad, Gardez, Kunduz, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kabul, Kandahar and Herat.
• As of Sept. 29, 2004, the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration totals stand at 18,129 disarmed, 16,691 demobilized, and 15,585 reintegrated.

Education

• More than 4.8 million children are enrolled in schools throughout the country. This is the largest number in the history of Afghanistan.
• The Ministry of Education, together with the United Nations Children's Fund, started a community-based schools program in remote areas of the country, providing learning opportunities for girls who cannot attend formal schools.
• In a joint initiative between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UNICEF, a nationwide program has begun to educate up to 25,500 mullahs in 2004 on a number of children's issues, including the rights to education, health care and nutrition, early marriage, reintegration of former child soldiers, the dangers of domestic violence and abuse, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
• More than 500,000 children from Afghanistan's southern and eastern provinces are returning to classrooms to study in the second annual phase of the country's Back to School campaign.

Economy

• The United States and Afghanistan signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, creating closer trade relations between the two countries and promoting the economic and regulatory reform that will contribute to expanding economic opportunity, development and hope.
• There have been 4,012 international funds transfer payments worth $1.28 billion this year.
• The Central Bank of Afghanistan (DAB) officially opened its new branch in Bagram this past month.

Judicial System

• 538 justice system personnel have received training to conform to national and international standards.
• Judicial facilities are complete in Gardez, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif and Paktia.

Information Compiled by the Military Information Support Team, US Embassy, Kabul, composed of Sgt. 1st Class Ken Sebourn, Sgt. Adam Garcia and Sgt. Phillip Spaugh.


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