Petraeus warns of hard times ahead for Kandahar

Описание: (30 Apr 2010) SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot of General David Petraeus, the head of US Central Command, and Kandahar Governor, Tooryalai Wesa, arriving for news conference
2. Commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and US forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, talking to US army officer
3. Foreign diplomats and US soldier
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) General David Petraeus, Head of US Central Command:
"There have been tough moments here in Kandahar in recent weeks, that is well known and we know that there will be more tough moments in the weeks and months ahead. As we learned in Iraq, and as we have relearned in Afghanistan, when you fight to take away the momentum and the sanctuaries and safe havens of the enemy, the enemy fights back. And that can be a difficult and tough fight. But that is something that is necessary because the mission here in Afghanistan is of extraordinary importance to the Afghan people, to the region, and indeed to the world. It was right here in Kandahar that the 9-11 (2001) attacks were planned."
5. Cutaway of cameramen
6. Mid shot of Petraeus, Wesa and Major General Nick Carter during news conference
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) General David Petraeus, Head of US Central Command:
"The operation in Kandahar is not going to be a conventional offensive. It is rather a series of precise operations out around the city and then increasing the security presence to capitalise on what those operations have achieved. Now, as I mentioned, the enemy fights back, and our experience in Iraq was that it got harder before it got easier."
8. Wide shot of the end of the press conference
9. Wide of end of news conference
10. Generals walking away after news conference
STORYLINE
Tough times are ahead for Kandahar in southern Afghanistan where thousands of US, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and Afghan forces are gearing up for the latest offensive of the war, a top US general said in an unannounced visit there on Friday.
General David Petraeus, the head of US Central Command, toured areas in and around Kandahar to bolster support for the military operation aimed at routing the Taliban from their southern stronghold.
"There have been tough moments here in Kandahar in recent weeks, that is well known and we know that there will be more tough moments in the weeks and months ahead," said Petraeus, whose command oversees both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"As we learned in Iraq, and as we have relearned in Afghanistan, when you fight to take away the momentum and the sanctuaries and safe havens of the enemy, the enemy fights back. And that can be a difficult and tough fight," he added.
US troops are already flowing into the area - part of the 30-thousand US reinforcements US President Barack Obama deployed to the war.
The international troops, partnered with Afghan security forces, will secure areas around the city that has witnessed a rash of insurgent attacks in recent months.
If NATO's counterinsurgency strategy works, the improved security will give the Afghan government a chance to gain better footing in Kandahar, a hotbed of militant and criminal activity, and the international community can ramp up aid to improve the quality of life for residents.
"The operation in Kandahar is not going to be a conventional offensive. It is rather a series of precise operations out around the city," Petraeus said.
Petraeus said the international presence in Afghanistan, where the war is in its ninth year, remained paramount.
"It was right here in Kandahar that the 9-11 (2001) attacks were planned," he said.

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