Local leaders listen to the governor of Kapisa province

Local leaders listen to the governor of Kapisa province in eastern Afghanistan at a recruiting leadership conference, Feb. 16. The conference was attended by over 200 of these elders, mullahs and members of parliament from all six districts Kapisa, to encourage them to endorse service in the Afghan national army to local men. Officers from the Afghan national army recruiting command believe that convincing these leaders is the best way to recruit. Their efforts gained 113 recruits for the ANA and three for the Afghan national police from Kapisa province last month. The goal is to reach an end-strength for the ANA of 80,000 soldiers by December 2008.