In March last year we began to do what the Dutch military describe as 'build ourselves up' for this mission. Outside of military circles, the normal description would be 'break ourselves in', but the army's terminology gives a more accurate picture of the mountain of work we had to do to attain the standard we have now reached.
 
Right from the very start, General Van Uhm and I were asked what the main element would be of our deployment as respective military commander and civil representative of the Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) number VII. We knew that our mission would last until February 2010 and that after that - on the basis of political decisions taken in 2007 - there would be one more task force, in the same form, due to operate until 1 August 2010. So, our wasn't simply TFU-VII, but in fact more TFU 'last-but-one'.

 
During our months 'building up' in the Netherlands and Germany we spent time reflecting on this last-but-one TFU. What kind of work could we do that our successors would be able to complete by August 2010? Our motto became: hold on to what we have achieved already and expand on it where possible. 
 
Improvements
And that's exactly what has happened. In Tarin Kowt, we've worked on improving local governance. Provincial meetings are better than they used to be and that's improved the administration. In Deh Rawod and Chora the first steps have been taken away from emergency civilian/military aid towards structural development cooperation. Now, for example, proposals for projects go to the Afghan district chief first, who sets priorities for the district together with his council.
 
During our TFU, we have continued to build up the civilian and international aspects of the provincial reconstruction team and this too has given development a strong boost. But, step-by-step, we have also brought the first elements of stability to more dangerous areas, such as Deh Rafshan and Baluchi. This has been achieved partly through military operations and partly by means of small projects which make the local population aware that the future will be different to the past.
 
The same applies in the Mirabad - a valley that stretches some 20 kilometres and was the object of TFU's last territorial expansion. A carefully planned and executed military operation which brought light to the end of the Taliban-terror-tunnel for the locals.
 
Objective
Now, with a month to go before the end of our mission, I wonder whether we have got anywhere near our objective. Of course, the answer to that is not so clear-cut. Obviously, I would have liked to have done more, just as I would have liked there to be more hours in the day during my time here. I also appreciate the enormous sacrifices that have been made. I remember Mark and Kevin, who gave their lives for the reconstruction of this country, as well as police chief Assadullah and checkpoint commander Abdul Ali Aka who were both murdered.
 
But I also think about the Vocational Training Centre which we opened in Deh Rawod, where so many different training courses are given (agricultural improvement, good governance, hygiene, landmine-awareness, etc.). I also think of the bridges we have built, the ones which farmers from Uruzgan use to bring their children to schools and health clinics. I think of the saffron harvest we've supported, which was bigger this year than last and provides a good alternative to growing opium. And I think to of the seeds and trees we distributed, from which the people of Uruzgan will soon - literally - be able to reap the benefits.
 
Water knowledge
Just one short month to go before the end of our stay. Still on my agenda for the remaining weeks: the opening of a business development centre in Tarin Kowt: a place where local people will be taught how to set up their own businesses. We also hope to set up the first local government 'shura' (meeting) in Deh Rafshan West. A follow-up to the many earlier shuras on security in that area. First we set up police stations, now we intend to talk with the provincial government of Uruzgan about the region's other developmental problems and then deal with them.
 
I would also like to see the first large water shura in Uruzgan. We, the Dutch, with all our experience building and maintaining dykes and water management systems, probably have a lot to offer Uruzgan in terms of water knowledge and skills. Water in this province is scarce and unfairly distributed and the cause of much conflict. We could probably make a contribution to increasing stability if we could set up a better regulated water supply here and there across the region.
 
In the Netherlands, a quote from the Bible would probably sound too pompous, but at the opening of a water shura - should one ever be held - I will do just such a thing, only I will quote from the Qur'an and state that God created the river Kawthar for the people as a source of life and hope (" Inna Khalaqna lakoum al-Kawthar").