NATO warns Afghans to keep their ‘heads down‘

By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer Kim Gamel, Associated Press Writer – 10 mins ago

NATO‘s civilian chief in Afghanistan, former British Ambassador Mark Sedwill, said authorities were prepared to deal with an influx of refugees who may flee fighting in Marjah, the biggest town in the south under Taliban control.

"The success of the operation will not be in the military phase," he told reporters in a briefing at NATO headquarters in Kabul.

International officials believe the insurgency has been able to capitalize on widespread public anger over President Hamid Karzai‘s corruption-ridden government and failure to provide services after more than eight years of war.

NATO commanders also have stressed that good governance and projects to improve services must also happen quickly to let Marjah‘s estimated 80,000 residents know that the government was ready to replace Taliban overlords and drug traffickers.

The advance notice has caused hundreds of farmers and other civilians to flee the area.

Mangal said at least 164 families had left the Taliban-influenced area. Afghan families have an average of six members, according to private relief groups.

Authorities have not advised people to leave the Marjah area but have warned them to stay inside and avoid road travel once the operation begins.

"The message to them is accept it," he said. "The message to the people of the area is of course keep your heads down, stay inside when the operation is going ahead."

"I‘m confident that there are a number of Taliban members who will reconcile with us and who will be under the sovereignty of the Afghan government," he said.



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