Monday, May 02, 2005
Lincoln Davis has real solutions
From the Lincoln Davis website:
Assessing our Efforts in the War on Terror
By Congressman Lincoln Davis
Being a Member of Congress, representing the Fourth Congressional District, affords me opportunities to visit areas of American interest around the world as an official of the U.S. government. These visits, known as CODEL's (congressional delegation) are helpful to us as elected officials in forming opinions and allow us to accurately report back to you on what we witness. I recently traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center, Germany to meet with foreign leaders regarding upcoming Parliamentary elections and review reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. I also had the opportunity to talk with soldiers in the field and visit with some wounded soldiers who have been transported to Germany for medical care and treatment.
I want to begin by saying we have the most capable, well trained, and caring soldiers in the world. Time and again our troops have answered the call to duty and have served our country with distinction. They should be honored to be known as members of the U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Our delegation flew into the Pakistani capitol of Islamabad and after a briefing at the American Embassy we began our journey. Our first visit was with teachers and students aged 15-25 at a fundamentalist Islamic school called a Madrassa. Normally, westerners are not permitted in such schools, but we were welcomed with open arms.
We later met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his cabinet to discuss relations and express the aspirations of our people. After our meeting with the Prime Minister we embarked on a three-hour drive to the ancient city of Peshawar, which borders Afghanistan. While in Peshawar we shared a friendly meal with Waziristan tribal leaders. Waziristan is the region in Pakistan where Osama Bin Laden is thought to be hiding. The area is known for its rugged terrain and walled cities, which usually shuns outsiders. During our meal we talked about the war in Afghanistan, the United States, and Osama Bin Laden. They expressed to us how sorrowful they were that 9/11 occurred and if they were to find Bin Laden they would kill him. However, they do not believe Bin Laden is in the Waziristan region.
We woke the following day, where we drove to the residence of the regional governor. Governor Shah and his military staff briefed us on military operations in the Waziristan region, which has resulted in the capture or death of hundreds of terrorists. A few hours and stops later we made it to the historic Khyber Pass, where after some difficulty, ended by a call from Governor Shah, we were permitted to enter Khyber Pass.
The Khyber Pass is one of the most important passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has been a major trade route for centuries and has a long and often violent history. Conquering armies, such as Alexander the Great, have used the Khyber as an entry point for their invasions. A sign hanging over the trail reads, "Entry of foreigners is not permitted beyond this point." While in the area we helped lay bricks at a new school being built and later met with the Khyber Rifles, the Khyber Pass security force.
We departed Pakistan for the Afghani capitol of Kabul. We were the first delegation permitted to spend the night in Kabul since the start of the war and to meet with President Hamid Karzai since his inauguration. I left our meeting with President Karzai very impressed. He repeatedly expressed his and the Afghani people's appreciation for America and our soldiers. Karzai said, "Please congratulate the people of the United States on our success. We see our success as your success." He is a man of intellect, determination, and compassion.
After meeting with President Karzai we drove to Camp Phoenix, where the United States set up camp nearly three years ago as the base of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. The duty of soldiers at Camp Phoenix is to train the Afghan National Army in an effort to ensure the country's security and self sufficiency, and to ensure that feuding warlords do not rise up against the newly established government. The soldiers there are also very actively involved in aiding the reconstruction efforts.
From Camp Phoenix we flew a board a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter through the mountains to the Provisional Reconstruction Team. We witnessed first hand our troops working with Afghani forces where there seemed to be a genuine camaraderie between the two forces. We bunked down in individual "hooches" for the night. I later found out that we were one of a very few Members of Congress to be permitted to spend the night with the troops in a combat zone. I felt a great sense of privilege in being able to do so.
On our return flight back to the States we stopped to visit our wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Army Air Base in Germany. While at Landstuhl I was able to talk and express my admiration and appreciation for what they had done in defense of our country and ideals. All of them are brave and patriotic men and women.
There are a few general images and thoughts I left with. There is terrible poverty in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with well over 20% of households living in poverty. While driving through the mountains you could see thousands of huts built from mud and scrap metal. The locals we met with appeared committed to instituting a Democracy. Our soldiers in Afghanistan were in good shape and looked fit. We wished each of them a safe tour and God's blessings. Our wounded countrymen at Landstuhl Army Air Base have given us a part of themselves for a safer and more hospitable world. For that I say thank you and God Bless.
There is no doubt in my mind that our efforts are justified and noble as we continue our efforts to rid Afghanistan and the world of terrorists. I conclude by saying we need to focus more attention on hunting down Bin Laden and those left over from the Taliban regime. We must stay determined in our hunt of Bin Laden.
Assessing our Efforts in the War on Terror
By Congressman Lincoln Davis
Being a Member of Congress, representing the Fourth Congressional District, affords me opportunities to visit areas of American interest around the world as an official of the U.S. government. These visits, known as CODEL's (congressional delegation) are helpful to us as elected officials in forming opinions and allow us to accurately report back to you on what we witness. I recently traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center, Germany to meet with foreign leaders regarding upcoming Parliamentary elections and review reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. I also had the opportunity to talk with soldiers in the field and visit with some wounded soldiers who have been transported to Germany for medical care and treatment.
I want to begin by saying we have the most capable, well trained, and caring soldiers in the world. Time and again our troops have answered the call to duty and have served our country with distinction. They should be honored to be known as members of the U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Our delegation flew into the Pakistani capitol of Islamabad and after a briefing at the American Embassy we began our journey. Our first visit was with teachers and students aged 15-25 at a fundamentalist Islamic school called a Madrassa. Normally, westerners are not permitted in such schools, but we were welcomed with open arms.
We later met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his cabinet to discuss relations and express the aspirations of our people. After our meeting with the Prime Minister we embarked on a three-hour drive to the ancient city of Peshawar, which borders Afghanistan. While in Peshawar we shared a friendly meal with Waziristan tribal leaders. Waziristan is the region in Pakistan where Osama Bin Laden is thought to be hiding. The area is known for its rugged terrain and walled cities, which usually shuns outsiders. During our meal we talked about the war in Afghanistan, the United States, and Osama Bin Laden. They expressed to us how sorrowful they were that 9/11 occurred and if they were to find Bin Laden they would kill him. However, they do not believe Bin Laden is in the Waziristan region.
We woke the following day, where we drove to the residence of the regional governor. Governor Shah and his military staff briefed us on military operations in the Waziristan region, which has resulted in the capture or death of hundreds of terrorists. A few hours and stops later we made it to the historic Khyber Pass, where after some difficulty, ended by a call from Governor Shah, we were permitted to enter Khyber Pass.
The Khyber Pass is one of the most important passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has been a major trade route for centuries and has a long and often violent history. Conquering armies, such as Alexander the Great, have used the Khyber as an entry point for their invasions. A sign hanging over the trail reads, "Entry of foreigners is not permitted beyond this point." While in the area we helped lay bricks at a new school being built and later met with the Khyber Rifles, the Khyber Pass security force.
We departed Pakistan for the Afghani capitol of Kabul. We were the first delegation permitted to spend the night in Kabul since the start of the war and to meet with President Hamid Karzai since his inauguration. I left our meeting with President Karzai very impressed. He repeatedly expressed his and the Afghani people's appreciation for America and our soldiers. Karzai said, "Please congratulate the people of the United States on our success. We see our success as your success." He is a man of intellect, determination, and compassion.
After meeting with President Karzai we drove to Camp Phoenix, where the United States set up camp nearly three years ago as the base of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. The duty of soldiers at Camp Phoenix is to train the Afghan National Army in an effort to ensure the country's security and self sufficiency, and to ensure that feuding warlords do not rise up against the newly established government. The soldiers there are also very actively involved in aiding the reconstruction efforts.
From Camp Phoenix we flew a board a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter through the mountains to the Provisional Reconstruction Team. We witnessed first hand our troops working with Afghani forces where there seemed to be a genuine camaraderie between the two forces. We bunked down in individual "hooches" for the night. I later found out that we were one of a very few Members of Congress to be permitted to spend the night with the troops in a combat zone. I felt a great sense of privilege in being able to do so.
On our return flight back to the States we stopped to visit our wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Army Air Base in Germany. While at Landstuhl I was able to talk and express my admiration and appreciation for what they had done in defense of our country and ideals. All of them are brave and patriotic men and women.
There are a few general images and thoughts I left with. There is terrible poverty in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with well over 20% of households living in poverty. While driving through the mountains you could see thousands of huts built from mud and scrap metal. The locals we met with appeared committed to instituting a Democracy. Our soldiers in Afghanistan were in good shape and looked fit. We wished each of them a safe tour and God's blessings. Our wounded countrymen at Landstuhl Army Air Base have given us a part of themselves for a safer and more hospitable world. For that I say thank you and God Bless.
There is no doubt in my mind that our efforts are justified and noble as we continue our efforts to rid Afghanistan and the world of terrorists. I conclude by saying we need to focus more attention on hunting down Bin Laden and those left over from the Taliban regime. We must stay determined in our hunt of Bin Laden.
# posted by Dixiecrat @ 7:54 PM 
