U.S. military in Afghanistan launches long-term projects

GARDEZ, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military has embarked on a major new plan to help rebuild Afghanistan, throwing its resources into reconstruction projects typically left to private aid organizations.

More than ever before, U.S. soldiers will be helping to dig wells for irrigating parched land and rebuild roads and schools destroyed during decades of war.

Until now, most such U.S. missions in Afghanistan were short visits to vaccinate animals or treat children. The new mission will focus on long-term projects, often using Afghan help.

It formally began Saturday with the designation of the U.S. base in Gardez as the location of a coordination center for reconstruction projects in the region.

U.S. officials said security remains a major goal of military presence in Afghanistan.

Just last week U.S. troops fought the fiercest battle in Afghanistan in nearly a year, killing at least 18 rebel fighters in an assault on mountain caves in the southeast.

"We will continue to work on security, but we're not going to only deal with security. We want to help reconstruct Afghanistan and help bring Afghanistan from war to peace," Robert P. Finn, the U.S. ambassador, said in Gardez.

The Gardez hub is the first of what is to be many regional centers around Afghanistan under the program, coordinated by the Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force.

The town, 60 miles south of Kabul, is in part of eastern Afghanistan where U.S. forces have frequently been attacked.

A U.S. soldier patrolling nearby was shot and killed in a firefight on Dec. 21. Rocket attacks on U.S. bases in the area are common, though they rarely hit their targets.

Officials say the program shows U.S. commitment to the country and will make it easier for the military, private donors and the Afghan government to coordinate reconstruction efforts.

But many aid agencies are skeptical.

Caroline Douilliez, a spokeswoman for the international Red Cross in Kabul, said she worries about mixed messages among the Afghan public, especially as the United States continues to hunt down and kill Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives.

"As a general position, we feel it creates confusion in the minds of those who receive the aid and creates confusion among those who carry out military and humanitarian missions at the same time," Douilliez said.

"In this context, as in any armed conflict, it's hard to imagine the U.S. coming out in an impartial way," she said.

Spc. Neal Dedicatoria, a civil affairs worker in Gardez, admits there have been times when villagers in the area are confused by the sight of an armed soldier in camouflage who arrives wanting to help build, not destroy.

But, he said, "once we meet with the leaders, they understand that we're trying to help and they're more than willing to help."