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Time to once again open my life up a little in order to share the plethora of wealth I'm about to absorb. I'm going to be back in Iraq through September, so hop on board and check back every couple of days, I'll do my best to update as much as possible. Questions? dtate38@cox.net And check out the site I'm working with: http://www.billroggio.com Support independent journalism!
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Wednesday September 15, 2004
Everything in Herat remains quiet. The ETT's I'm with are making all the changes they need to make to counter the problems that came out of the riots. Logistically, the job is getting bigger and bigger. By now more than 500 Americans are involved as well as more than 2,500 ANA and more than 500 ANP.
Even with all the excitement, the Commanding Afghan general isn't satisfied. He wants to take 200 ANA & ANP to Islam Qala, the main border crossing with Iran. It's also the place where Ismail Kahn got much of his revenue. Now the ANA wants to pay a visit and show the folks that run it that the government is taking over.
Considering the checkpoint is run by Ismail Kahn's cousin, but word is that the Iranians won't be happy either. In fact, the Americans have orders to stay 10km away from the border so not to cause problems.
Off the bat the operation ran into trouble. The reasons aren't clear, but early on, it looked like we wouldn't be going. So I hooked up with some ETT's heading to the riot areas where ANA troops were now keeping the peace.
First place we stopped was the UNAMA building. I took pictures of the ANA guarding the site, then made my way inside for shots of the cleanup. We didn't stay to long before heading to the PRT for some water supplies and finally back to HQ.
By now, the troops were forming in a long caravan of pickup trucks filled to the gill. These little Ford Rangers were holding 6-10 men per pickup bed. Should be comfortable for the two-hour trip.
So here we waited, in the same staging area that I saw Ismail Kahn directing his troops the morning he was attacked August 13th. This time we were waiting to go to the Iranian border. Earlier I had heard the delay was political and the decision was at "presidential level". I also heard that the Iranians, fearing an attack, had moved tanks and artillery to the border.
Finally we were given permission to go, and we all snaked out into Herat and toward Iran. Thinking the Americans would be stopped at 10kms out, got permission to go with the General, with whom I'm starting a pretty good relationship with.
The ride is as boring as two-hours in the desert can be, when we finally come to Islam Qala. Once there, the general is given a good military welcome and we're all invited up to a meeting room where talks and carboose (melon) awaits.
In the room, some of the local border guards didn't look happy. Of course, most of them were looking at a big cut in their cut of the taxes generated here. Regardless, the general made it clear that change was coming and that they should all play ball
if they wanted to play ball at all.
After the meeting, I quickly headed off toward the Iranian side for some video, which I was able to get with no problem. Actually, I was quite surprised at how easy it appeared to be to get over. Truck checks amounted to opening the trailer door for a quick peek. There wasn't a whole lot of in depth checking on personal cars either. Very easy to see why this crossing is a big concern for the Afghan and U.S. governments.
The visit lasted about a half hour before we quickly packed it up and took off for Herat. Quite the interesting day trip for sure. Unfortunately on the way back, a truck in our convoy hit a taxi, killing two. Including a young man on his way to his wedding in Iran. Another reminder of how fast life can change.
Everything in Herat remains quiet. The ETT's I'm with are making all the changes they need to make to counter the problems that came out of the riots. Logistically, the job is getting bigger and bigger. By now more than 500 Americans are involved as well as more than 2,500 ANA and more than 500 ANP.
Even with all the excitement, the Commanding Afghan general isn't satisfied. He wants to take 200 ANA & ANP to Islam Qala, the main border crossing with Iran. It's also the place where Ismail Kahn got much of his revenue. Now the ANA wants to pay a visit and show the folks that run it that the government is taking over.
Considering the checkpoint is run by Ismail Kahn's cousin, but word is that the Iranians won't be happy either. In fact, the Americans have orders to stay 10km away from the border so not to cause problems.
Off the bat the operation ran into trouble. The reasons aren't clear, but early on, it looked like we wouldn't be going. So I hooked up with some ETT's heading to the riot areas where ANA troops were now keeping the peace.
First place we stopped was the UNAMA building. I took pictures of the ANA guarding the site, then made my way inside for shots of the cleanup. We didn't stay to long before heading to the PRT for some water supplies and finally back to HQ.
By now, the troops were forming in a long caravan of pickup trucks filled to the gill. These little Ford Rangers were holding 6-10 men per pickup bed. Should be comfortable for the two-hour trip.
So here we waited, in the same staging area that I saw Ismail Kahn directing his troops the morning he was attacked August 13th. This time we were waiting to go to the Iranian border. Earlier I had heard the delay was political and the decision was at "presidential level". I also heard that the Iranians, fearing an attack, had moved tanks and artillery to the border.
Finally we were given permission to go, and we all snaked out into Herat and toward Iran. Thinking the Americans would be stopped at 10kms out, got permission to go with the General, with whom I'm starting a pretty good relationship with.
The ride is as boring as two-hours in the desert can be, when we finally come to Islam Qala. Once there, the general is given a good military welcome and we're all invited up to a meeting room where talks and carboose (melon) awaits.
In the room, some of the local border guards didn't look happy. Of course, most of them were looking at a big cut in their cut of the taxes generated here. Regardless, the general made it clear that change was coming and that they should all play ball
if they wanted to play ball at all.
After the meeting, I quickly headed off toward the Iranian side for some video, which I was able to get with no problem. Actually, I was quite surprised at how easy it appeared to be to get over. Truck checks amounted to opening the trailer door for a quick peek. There wasn't a whole lot of in depth checking on personal cars either. Very easy to see why this crossing is a big concern for the Afghan and U.S. governments.
The visit lasted about a half hour before we quickly packed it up and took off for Herat. Quite the interesting day trip for sure. Unfortunately on the way back, a truck in our convoy hit a taxi, killing two. Including a young man on his way to his wedding in Iran. Another reminder of how fast life can change.
