Hard words

Speaking of frustration, BGen Vance's words in this story positively reek of it:

As General Jonathan Vance was driving this morning into the village of Deh-e-Bagh in the Dand district, southwest of Kandahar city, the shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade hit one of the armoured vehicles in his convoy. And, when Gen. Vance had travelled about a kilometre past the village on the way to another community where the Canadians hope to implement the same secure-and-stay policy they have used in Deh-e-Bagh, an oncoming Canadian military vehicle was ripped by a bomb planted in the road.

A Canadian soldier had to be airlifted to hospital with multiple fractures to his leg. The troops who tended to him said his wounds will heal.

But Gen. Vance was steaming.

“It infuriates me," he said after ordering the convoy to return to Deh-E-Bagh so he could lambaste the local people for not warning the Canadians about the explosive trap set by the Taliban. “A determined person can still get through," the general said of the safety perimeter that the Canadian troops have established at the village. “But we rely on the work of the local population."

Gen. Vance called an immediate meeting, known as a shura, with Deh-E-Bagh's elders. “It's a sad and serious day," he told the 24 Afghan men who turned out to the district centre to hear what the general had to say. “Why is it I feel that I am the only one, with my soldiers, who is taking responsibility for security?" Gen. Vance asked. “I am saddened sometimes on days when I feel I am more concerned about Dand district than you are." [Babbler's emphasis]

That's a tough message, but I think sometimes we forget that Afghanistan is a tough country and that perhaps a tough message or two is needed. I know we've been delivering them for awhile now, but at lower levels. For Vance to say this, especially with a bit of passion in his voice would have been pretty powerful, I'd expect.

Of course, the proof is in the pudding, right? We'll see what - if any - effect this has going forward.