Mullen discusses Afghan development, security
 By Sr. Airman Tania Reid , ISAF Public Affairs Office
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 KABUL, Afghanistan (July 25, 2010)  — Adm. Michael  Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the  International Security Assistance Force’s mission of developing a secure  and stable Afghanistan at a press conference July 25 at the New  Government Media and Information Center here. “What we’re after in  concert with our Afghan, NATO and regional partners, is a secure and  stable Afghanistan that can defend and provide for itself, its citizens  and contribute to the economic betterment of the region,” Mullen said.  He added that the goal is still to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al  Qaeda and its extremist allies, and to prevent Afghanistan from ever  becoming a safe haven for terrorists again. The admiral stressed the need to protect Afghans through the counterinsurgency strategy. “From  the military perspective, we will accomplish this through a broad and  balanced counterinsurgency campaign, rooted in the south and east but  anchored always in the overarching need to protect the Afghan people,” Mullen said. Additionally, with the change of leadership at ISAF,  he stated that the mission to uphold the COIN strategy has not changed  with the arrival of Gen. David H. Petraeus. “Indeed,  in my discussions with the general this afternoon, and in my visits with  our troops, it was clear to me that we are in fact, making slow but  steady progress toward our goals,” the admiral said. “Counterinsurgency  fights have ups and downs, setbacks and steps forward. But to be frank, I  am more optimistic than I have been in the past.” With the  increase in number and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces  he noted governance is improving. In  recent reports it was shown that some of the local citizens have  resisted Taliban intimidation. “Certainly the  enemy is fighting back; after all, ISAF and Afghan forces took away what  may have been their most important base,” Mullen said. “Nonetheless  there is continued progress.” In Kandahar the campaign to drive out Taliban leaders has grown and the operations have been successful. “The  campaign in Kandahar has grown in size and scope as additional Afghan  and U.S. forces flow in,” he said. “A high tempo of Afghan and ISAF  targeted special operations continues, and those operations have killed,  captured, or run off hundreds of Taliban leaders and rank and file.” Some  of the developments the admiral mentioned that have been established  are checkpoints manned by U.S. and Afghan Police elements around the  city. “More police are deploying into the city,” Mullen said.  “And additional U.S. and Afghan brigades are partnering outside the city  in a deliberate operation to expand security in key districts.” He also praised Afghan President Hamid Karzai on his  efforts at the recent Kabul Conference. “I congratulate  President Karzai for his success in hosting the conference, the first  major international conference held in Kabul in a generation; and for the  extraordinary work done by his Ministries of Foreign Affairs and  Finance, who led the coordination effort and the Ministries of Interior  and Defense, together with the coalition and Afghan forces, who ensured  such impressive security,” the admiral added. Some of the topics  from the Kabul Conference were the urgency to improve Afghan  partnership with the international community, to increase government  transparency and accountability, especially with respect to corruption  and developing the country’s rich natural resources and talent. He also  welcomed President Karzai’s stated goal of having Afghan Forces assume  full responsibility for the country’s security by 2014. “I want him to know he has our full support,” Mullen said. But  with regards to the current plans for the transition, the admiral said  America’s military mission in Afghanistan will not end in 2011. “As  we continue to increase our force levels and our operations over the  summer, I would note that, while the deployment remains slightly ahead  of schedule,” not all of the extra troops from President Obama’s surge are on the ground yet, he said. “We will likely see further tough casualties and  levels of violence.” Mullen said that while he is optimistic  about the progress everyone should be pragmatic about the real challenge. “Because in the end, it isn’t the fighting alone that will  carry the day — it’s the governance,” he said. “It’s the efficient and  effective administration of goods and services, of education and  development, and of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.”  Consequently, following his recent visit in neighboring  Pakistan, the admiral stated he’s pleased with the outcome of not  only the efforts put forward from the leaders of the U.S. but the  countries and agencies involved as well. “I am already  encouraged by the unity of effort being shown by not only the civilian  and military leaders from my country, but indeed by those from all the  countries and agencies involved in this effort,” he said. “Though our  military presence will one day diminish, the friendship and strategic  partnership will endure.”