The Truth Left Behind

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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A couple of regrettable incidents during the last few weeks seem to have overshadowed the good work done by U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The video depicting U.S. Marines urinating on Taliban corpses and the unintentional burning of the Holy Koran have prompted an understandable anger from the people of the Af-Pak region. The behavior depicted in the video does not represent the high moral standard we expect of coalition forces. President Obama, Secretary of Defense Panetta, and other senior officials have apologized for the mistaken burning of the Holy Koran, and General John Allen, the ISAF commander, has already taken steps to ensure that this incident doesn’t happen again by mandating additional training for ISAF forces. We are by no means downplaying the seriousness of these incidents, but we want to remind our readers that we have the utmost respect for the people of Afghanistan, their culture, and their religion.
Please click on this link below and see how coalition forces played a major role in refurbishing a grand mosque which was once a crumbling ruin in the isolated village of Khan Neshin.

(http://www.centcom.mil/news/afghans-refurbish-mosque-with-help-from-marine)

Please click on this link below and read about a mosque that was jointly reconstructed by Tarok Kolache landowners and ISAF in Arghandab district after it was destroyed by the Taliban.

Mosque Opening Symbolizes Hope, Partnership in Kandahar | ISAF - International Security Assistance Force

While the doubters may continue to exploit these incidents, the truth is that “since 2001, the U.S. government has spent almost $26 million on the program to fund about 640 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries,” as mentioned in the article below. The article below also highlights the contributions made by the U.S. to restore mosques around the globe, including Pakistan.

US funds restoration of global Islamic sites | Entertainment | DAWN.COM

Our officials have fully acknowledged the mistakes associated with the incidents mentioned above, and steps are being taken to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. These incidents do not reflect the values, morals and ethics of our country or our military. We hope for everyone to realize that the U.S. remains fully committed to the betterment of the region.

Maj David Nevers
DET-United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur

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Re: The Truth Left Behind

I think the situation as bad as is, could still be resolved amicably. But for that I think the Americans should involve a broad spectrum of Pakistani/American national political parties and try to figure the way out. By basing the policies solely on 'American national interest' and disregarding the sensitivities of the others will only complicate things. There is a trust deficit between Pakistan-Afghanistan and US which needs to be removed to move ahead, otherwise all the parties will remain sceptical of each other and the situation will go from bad to worse.

The sensitivities that the Afghan and Pakistanis have for certain American policies also need to be reviewed. The situation for example of Pakistan is in front of you, by following the diktats from the Americans blindly the war has spilled over from Afghanistan to Pakistan. The way Pakistan's economy is performing I dont see Pakistan fighting this war for a very long time on its own. There were a few bad people in the region and a very heavy price for them have been paid by pashtuns on both sides of the border ( and then other Pakistanis and Afghans in general).