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This is the Army Today--a shura in Kunar.
From Afghanistan, I'm Gail McCabe.
Captain Gina Richter is a member of the Kunar PRT, Provincial Reconstruction Team.
She calls it the best mission she's ever had.
The California Army Reservist is co-hosting a shura,
a traditional Islamic decision-making process.
In the world of PRTs, it's a critical tool.
Her shura partner is governor of the district known as Narang.
The subject of the meeting is the building of a road.
For these villagers, the road is welcome, but there are concerns.
We wanted to bring representatives from all of the villages together to come to an agreement.
Kunar Province is in eastern Afghanistan at the feet of the Hindu Kush,
bordered by Pakistan and insurgents.
Kunar is populated by conservative Pashtuns
who value their independence, even in the face of brutal intimidation by the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Sustained advancements in construction,
complemented by growth in trained Afghan Security Forces,
is earning Kunar a new identity as a place of peaceful and positive Afghan growth.
According to the governor, the PRT has helped solve many problems.
Shuras are long and drawn out affairs.
Decisions take time.
But in this case, Richter calls it time well spent.
The villagers arrived at a consensus,
and the project, known as Badel Road in Narang,
is to be completed, thanks to PRT intervention and the strength of a shura.
Gail McCabe, Afghanistan.
[♪techno music playing♪] That's the Army Today from Soldiers Radio and Television, Atlanta.
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