The Dutch effort in Uruzgan will not be wasted, said United States Army Colonel James Creighton in an interview at Camp Holland with Radio Netherlands Worldwide. On 1 August, he will take over command from the Dutch troops who have been stationed there for the last four years.

Colonel Creighton arrived at the camp a few days ago. Short in stature, but driven to get a quick grip on the situation, he gives interviews in a 1.5 x 3 metre armoured container. A couple of days ago, the container had been emptied by its Dutch occupants. Now, as US troops install laptops and lay cables, he grants his first interview with the Dutch press to RNW.

The new US commander is not entirely sure how many additional US troops will be deployed in Uruzgan. Earlier, US Special Forces and diplomats told RNW that Uruzgan might possibly have to make do with less troops than the current 1700 from the Netherlands, because the situation in the bigger provinces is demanding more attention. The colonel has another idea about that.
 
“I think it will be a little bit less than we had, but basically about the same. I don't know the exact numbers of the Dutch before and I don't know the numbers now, that we've got. We are still in the planning phase. But it is enough to do the mission. My mission is to maintain what the Dutch have done and build on it if possible.”

More diplomats
Colonel Creighton emphasised that he will deploy more diplomats and experts than the Dutch. They will operate from the headquarters in Tarin Kowt, but will also be sent to the bases in the provincial districts to make contact with the Afghans.

Now the Dutch are about to leave, most of the local population are wary. Some inhabitants have repudiated the Americans completely. Their actions in Afghanistan have earned the newcomers a bad reputation.

Aggressive
The US Special Forces, which had Uruzgan to themselves from 2001 until the arrival of the Dutch in 2006, hunted the Taliban with local warlords. Their approach to the local population was aggressive. But Colonel Creighton won’t discuss the question of their poor image. Nor the work of the Special Forces units still active in the region. Since he arrived, he has had two meetings with the Afghans and found them both positive.

“I have sensed no animosity from the leaders. Only acceptance. They're very curious on how we are going to act. I have assured the government that we support tribal balance. That we are here for the only purpose of supporting the government, whoever that is, as properly elected or appointed as per the constitution of Afghanistan and that that is what our goal is.”

Shut out
Colonel Creighton repeatedly underlines the fact that a government must be formed in which all kinds of tribes are represented. He says he realises that this is the crucial problem for Uruzgan and that the Dutch have made a start with it. For example, by bringing local leaders previously shut out by the Afghan government back to Uruzgan. According to the Dutch, they must definitely be involved in the government. But despite this belief one tribe – the Popolzai – dominates and the Dutch never managed to make any headway with it. Colonel Creighton says he intends to work hard on that.

“Our goals are identical. They have a government that cares for the people. That's what the Dutch want, that's what we want: a representative government that accounts for the needs of the tribes and requirements from the tribes.”
 
RNW reporter Bette Dam is embedded with the Dutch army in Camp Holland. Her article was reviewed by the Ministry of Defence public relations department before publication.