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US to Reduce Troops in Afghan Valley

   VOA News  February 25, 2011

   U.S.  military  officials  have revealed plans to reduce the number of
   troops  in  eastern  Afghanistan,  in an area near the Pakistan border
   that  was  once a central part of the campaign against the Taliban and
   al-Qaida.
   The  Washington Post newspaper says the reduction of troops throughout
   Pech  Valley is part of a major repositioning of troops that will free
   up  Western  forces  to  conduct shorter-duration strike missions into
   enemy havens.
   Afghan  Defense  Minister Rahim Wardak is quoted as expressing concern
   about  what  will happen when U.S. troops leave bases in the the area,
   possibly creating a sanctuary for insurgent activity. Â
   Major  General  John Campbell, the commander of U.S. forces in eastern
   Afghanistan,  says  the  realigning  of  forces is designed to provide
   better security for the Afghan people.   He said that currently, too
   may  troops  in  the  Pech  Valley  are  tied up guarding small combat
   outposts.
   U.S. officials say the shifting of troops to more populated areas will
   be complete in several months.

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