Before we take your general questions, I’d like to make a few opening remarks concerning the security situation in Afghanistan and the ISAF support to

BajaurAgencyFeb 13:Before we take your general questions, I’d like to make a few opening remarks concerning the security situation in Afghanistan and the ISAF support to the Afghan people during these frigid winter months.

I am happy to report that Afghanistan has seen a reduction in Insurgent activities as compared with the same timeframe last year. Since January 1, 2008, 91% of Insurgent activities have been reported in only 8% of the districts. That means 335 districts--approximately 84% of Afghanistan--have no recorded Insurgent incidents. This can be credited to the increasing numbers and increasing capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces as well as the continued pressure our ISAF forces have placed on the Insurgents.

In Regional Command Central we see the evidence of democracy in practice. This week there were several non-violent demonstrations conducted safely—in large part due to increased ANSF and ISAF patrols. In addition, additional security patrols have allowed ISAF and ANA forces to deliver 1.5 tons of humanitarian aid to the Sarobi Valley. As a result of recent outreach activities, local nationals have begun reporting suspicious activities as well as Insurgent weapons caches’.

Another such operation, “PAMIR,” a combined ISAF-ANSF action, is effectively maintaining pressure on the Insurgents throughout the country in order to interrupt their ability to re-arm and re-equip. It is rooting out Insurgents in the South while allowing ISAF to assist with winterization aid in Northern areas, beyond where NGO’s are able to go. This has allowed ISAF to positively touch the lives of tens of thousands of Afghans through the distribution of relief supplies in hard to reach areas such as in the Regional Command West where ISAF PRTs working with ANSF have been able to distribute more than seven (7) tons of food, hospital supplies, medicine and winter clothing to people in the Heart Province and more than 1200 Afghan citizens also received medical and dental care.

These are just a few examples of how ISAF coalition forces, working with the ANSF are setting the conditions for a secure and stable environment to facilitate opportunities for development, reconstruction as well as winterization assistance for Afghanistan.

The Taleban cannot and will not defeat ISAF on the battlefield—every time they have tried their attacks they have been decisively defeated with heavy losses to them. It’s gone so well that it has caused them to shift their tactics and the Taleban has gone after easier things: Suicide bombings killing Afghan people who are not combatants; a Police force that needs a lot of focus on training; IEDs. The level of violence is up as we predicted. However, this will not intimidate us; we will remain steadfast and continue to counter their tactics.

With that I will take your questions.