4 Years in Afghanistan, Turks Suffer Only 1 Attack

[steven johnson]

It could be that nation building rather that counter-insurgent tactics may carry the day in afghanistan.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 13, 2009
Filed at 11:04 a.m. ET

KABUL (AP) -- A top U.S. general says violence has reached on all-time high in Afghanistan, but Turkey's foreign minister said Saturday that his troops have suffered only one attack in almost four years.

But Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkish troops and civilians face little danger here because of the relations that Turkish citizens have built with Afghans. The fact that the two countries share a common religion plays a part but is not the only reason, he said

The Turkish provincial reconstruction team based in the capital of Wardak province conducts reading, writing and computer courses for women. Turkey has also built 42 schools and about 25 hospitals in Afghanistan, Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu's advice to U.S. and other NATO nations seeking to tamp down rising violence in their regions of Afghanistan: ramp up nonmilitary projects.



4 Years in Afghanistan, Turks Suffer Only 1 Attack