bobdina
07-14-2010, 09:30 AM
Dutch close to end
14 July 2010
The Netherlands' partnership with Australia in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, will come to an end on August 1.
The Dutch-led Task Force Uruzgan began in 2006 when Dutch forces first arrived in the province.
Dutch and Australian forces have worked together on rebuilding local infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and mosques and improving the local security situation.
Task Force Uruzgan Commander Brigadier-General Kees Van den Heuvel said from August 2006 Dutch forces worked hard with Australian forces under difficult circumstances.
"We originally started working in only the populated centres starting very small and we then expanded into other areas," he explained.
"The first two years were tough times within this province as Uruzgan is one of the poorest of Afghanistan's provinces and it was difficult for government officials to access it, to help the people.
"We have always worked with the population in a three-D approach; defence, diplomacy and development, which was similar to Australia's whole-of-government approach."
From 2007, Task Force Uruzgan's efforts, in cooperation with Australia, saw some major achievements.
"Now there are people working again, children are going to school, people have access to basic medical facilities and hospitals, there is a greater freedom of movement for the people so they can now start businesses and we have, I think, done something for the position of women," he said.
"The most important thing we've achieved is that now people have a future."
Brigadier-General Van den Heuvel said his country and Australia were similar in many ways. "We've worked closely together, we are related to each other as a lot of you originated from Europe and we have the same 'can do' mentality wanting to make things happen.
Former Commanding Officer of Mentoring Task Force 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Blain said Australia's relationship with the Dutch in Uruzgan province was close.
"It was a strong, transparent and open relationship and they did a lot of good work in this province, leaving a great legacy we need to continue," he said.
"They established very strong relationships throughout all the tribes maintaining balance as their focus, which paid dividends for us.
"We will maintain this balance so disputes between tribes don't occur, creating opportunities for insurgents.
"We are close friends and colleagues and we will miss them," he said.
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2010/Jul/0714.htm
14 July 2010
The Netherlands' partnership with Australia in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, will come to an end on August 1.
The Dutch-led Task Force Uruzgan began in 2006 when Dutch forces first arrived in the province.
Dutch and Australian forces have worked together on rebuilding local infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and mosques and improving the local security situation.
Task Force Uruzgan Commander Brigadier-General Kees Van den Heuvel said from August 2006 Dutch forces worked hard with Australian forces under difficult circumstances.
"We originally started working in only the populated centres starting very small and we then expanded into other areas," he explained.
"The first two years were tough times within this province as Uruzgan is one of the poorest of Afghanistan's provinces and it was difficult for government officials to access it, to help the people.
"We have always worked with the population in a three-D approach; defence, diplomacy and development, which was similar to Australia's whole-of-government approach."
From 2007, Task Force Uruzgan's efforts, in cooperation with Australia, saw some major achievements.
"Now there are people working again, children are going to school, people have access to basic medical facilities and hospitals, there is a greater freedom of movement for the people so they can now start businesses and we have, I think, done something for the position of women," he said.
"The most important thing we've achieved is that now people have a future."
Brigadier-General Van den Heuvel said his country and Australia were similar in many ways. "We've worked closely together, we are related to each other as a lot of you originated from Europe and we have the same 'can do' mentality wanting to make things happen.
Former Commanding Officer of Mentoring Task Force 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Blain said Australia's relationship with the Dutch in Uruzgan province was close.
"It was a strong, transparent and open relationship and they did a lot of good work in this province, leaving a great legacy we need to continue," he said.
"They established very strong relationships throughout all the tribes maintaining balance as their focus, which paid dividends for us.
"We will maintain this balance so disputes between tribes don't occur, creating opportunities for insurgents.
"We are close friends and colleagues and we will miss them," he said.
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2010/Jul/0714.htm