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U.S. Special Forces to Train Afghans in Soldierly Skills
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
By Susanne M. Schafer
Associated Press Writer

So far, British and German members of the international security force in Afghanistan have begun providing basic training for 600 or so Afghans in Kabul.

WASHINGTON -- AP
U.S. troops will begin training Afghan army soldiers to bolster security and guard borders in that still-unstable nation, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Monday.

The training will begin in four to six weeks and be led by 125 to 150 members of the U.S. Army's special forces teams.

In a statement, the Pentagon said the training will start with 10-week courses emphasizing "basic soldier skills." More complex training involving a range of units -- from small groups to battalions comprising several hundred soldiers -- will follow.

"Training the Afghan army will serve as a positive step to help ensure that there is a better chance for peace and security in Afghanistan, and that the country is not used as ... a terrorist haven in the future," said Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who accompanied Rumsfeld at his Pentagon briefing.

No additional forces will be sent in.
(More: Myrtle Beach Online News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

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