Durran3
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A $100m road project could be a strategic, economic and security lifeline for Afghanistanif it doesnt fall into the hands of the Taliban or warlords. Will a prize asset become a highway to hell?
This project is the 21st century engineering project, a soldier told reporter Paul McGeough, walk a few metres off the road and youre back in biblical times. Funded by the US, the road will shorten the route used to bring supplies in for the 100,000 international forces here. Yet the risk of attack is high and soldiers constantly scan the ridgelines.
This was a trouble spot for us because down there, the enemy has got you, explains Colonel Campbell, you can't see what he's doing. Two warlords, contest the province and the road each with private militia - Jalallulidin Haqqani, a key Taliban leader and Pacha Khan Zadran, who is known for switching allegiances. Not only this but the hearts and minds of the people living along the road, are still not won. I know you cant physically stop the enemy from coming in to this area, Colonel Campbell tells an elder, but what I want to do is create a place where the enemy is not welcome. Yet the elder is more interested in getting the Colonel to build a hydro-electric plant for his village. Rather, the villagers are biding their time to see who will be victor in this long running war.
Produced by SBS Australia, Distributed by Journeyman Pictures
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