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Although
ISAF is not directly involved in the administration
of the Loya Jirga to decide the structure of a new Afghan
government, it has provided security, safety and logistics
advice to the Afghan Interim Authority, particularly
for the main meeting of the Loya Jirga in Kabul. A huge
tent, some 70 metres by 40 metres, has been flown in
from Germany and erected at Kabul University. RAF experts
have given vital fire safety advice for the complex
of tents and buildings that will host the event, which
will have up to 2,000 people attending. They have also
trained a specialist team of Afghan fireman to provide
specific safety cover for the event.
A
team of nine RAF Policemen from 1 Tactical Provost Wing
at RAF Henlow have also deployed to Kabul to help install
and operate metal-detectors and X-ray machines at the
Loya Jirga complex. They are assisting soldiers from
the 1st Battalion of the Afghan National Guard, trained
by ISAF, in providing the security screening for the
thousands of people who will come and go at the complex.
The RAF personnel praised the remarkable levels of professionalism
already attained by the National Guardsmen, who were
only formed a few months ago.
The
enfranchisement of women created the need for a creche
to look after young children whose mothers were attending
the Loya Jirga, some 24 children needing to be cared
for at the complex. In a small but important gesture,
ISAF organised the provision of toys to equip the facility.
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