By way of ISAF’s Operation Moshtarak site (which, by the way, you ought to bookmark), the Afghan government has begun to engage with Marjahns (Marjahnians? Marjoids?):
“Marjah, Afghanistan (Mar. 1) – Afghanistan’s Second Vice President, Karim Khalili, and Helmand Governor, Mohammed Ghulab Mangal, today visited Marjah in Central Helmand to meet with local residents and Afghan security forces. This is the most senior visit of Afghan Government and NATO-ISAF officials since joint Afghan and international security forces commenced clearing the area of insurgents several weeks ago.
“This visit enabled the Vice President to engage with hundreds of local residents who gathered at the District Centre and to hear their views, hopes and concerns for the future…”
That’s all good news, but some tough row-hoeing lieth ahead. NOT that it can’t be done, simply that there is much hard work to do. The most interesting passage is this:
“… Many welcomed the improved security to the area and the recent deployment of the Afghan National Civil Order Police [now the Gendarmerie, I think] , but also expressed concerns over the previous behaviour and standard of the Afghan National Uniformed Police who will eventually be deployed to the District. In addition, residents were anxious to hear the details of how and when more concrete support from the Government would arrive to rebuild the community given the insurgents who previously controlled the area failed to do so. …”
That contains the essential issue here– Marjah will be won by the side that is seen to have done and be doing things FOR the people, rather than TO the people. Keep your fingers crossed that the government can be goaded, persuaded, convinced, chided, rebuked, or if need be forced or compelled to be on the right end of that contest. I’m actually betting that it can.
