I declined Officer's job offer because....!

Comrade Parduman Singh

I was born on March 7, 1924 at Jehlum (now in Pakistan). I was educated at various district headquarters in Punjab due to regular transfers of my father. I graduated from the prestigious Government College Lahore (Capital of West Pakistan) in 1944. During my student days, I was active in the student movement as also in the freedom movement. While I was in 10th class, I organized a strike in my School (Balmukand Khatri High School) in Amritsar on January 26, 1940, which is now celebrated as Republic Day. Further I took part in various strikes in College days at Layalpur (now in West Punjab) on students demands. 1 was very active during great Bengal Famine in 1943-44 in collecting funds for rendering help to the distressed people.

After completing my studies, I joined the Sarvodya Programme of Gandhi Ji alongwith a friend by going to a village and cleaning the streets and by dispensing medicines for elementary diseases to poor people in a village near Amritsar.

During the days of partition in 1947, I worked actively for amelioration of sufferings of refugees from and to Pakistan and saved the lives of many innocent victims. After this, both of us were offered Officer's jobs by the Government but I declined because Congress had accepted partition of the Country.My friend accepted the job and retired as DPI in Punjab Government.

I joined the Communist Party of India and became a whole timer of the party. The life of party whole timers was very hard. I alongwith other whole timers in the CPI/AlTUC used to get monthly wage at the rate of Rs. 20 per month during the fifties. Any of us who got monetary help from family members or friends had to deposit it in the party fund.

To live in a monthly wage of Rs. 20 was quite difficult even in those days when we were young. What I did was to eat four chapatis with free dal at Dhaba at 10 AM and eat four chapatis at 6 PM. There was no money for tea or break fast. Rs. 5 was spent on other necessary items. This went on for many years. The wage was raised to Rs. 30 per month which the minimum wage for unskilled workers fixed by the State Government. None of us was satisfied because we had dedicated our lives for the revolution to bring socialism in the country. It was a question of dedication to the cause of socialism.

I was elected secretary of the Punjab State Committee of A.I.T.U.C. during that period. I was elected a member of All India General Council in 1953 and its all India Vice president in 1994. I wrote my first book on History of Trade Union Movement in Amritsar in 1980.

In the Communist party I was elected the secretary of Amritsar City Committee of CPI and subsequently of state council and state Executives of the party. The Amritsar Unit of the party took part in elections to the state Assembly and Municipal Corporation. I also took up all national and International issues.

During the period 1980-1992, when terrorism held sway in punjab, I was among those who mobilised and involved not only the workers but all the people against terrorism and separation inspite of all the dangers involved. An all party committee was formed for this purpose.

We organised Prabhat Pheris and Mohalla Meetings in various parts of the city. The committee including CPl(M), Congress, BJP, Janta Dal and Akalis was formed at my initiatives and as the secretary of the city committee of CPI I acted as convener of this Committee.

During eighties and beginning on nineties Amritsar was the epicenter of terrorist activities in Punjab. The Communists took on their activities very bravely without caring about their own safety. I give below a few instances:

On the day Punjab police DIG Atwal was shot dead at the steps of Golden Temple Complex, we were having a previously fixed general meeting of textile workers. One of our Comrades was having meetings of Brick Kiln workers. We heard the news of Atwal's murder. We consulted the leaders and the workers of both groups and decided to take out a protest march in the city. With Red flags and about two hundred fifty workers and their leaders raised the slogan of "ATTWAD WAKH AND MURDAbaad... Na HINDU RAJ Na KHALISTAN JUG JUG JIVE HINDUSTAN." We marched to the Hall Bazaar upto Kotwali and returned to Katra Jaimal Singh and then to Pink plaza Hall Bazaar, the shopkeepers got up from their seats and praised the bravery of communists and Fruit venders distributed their fruits freely amongst the processionists and praised the bravery of the Communists.

Some Communalists destroyed the model of Golden Temple situated at the Railway Station and a crude bomb was exploded by terrorists near Shiwala Bhaian. We organised a Keertan Darbaar in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib at the Railway Station. We invited the leaders of other parties to come and address the gathering. From there we organised a procession upto Shivala Bhaian. The Parbhandhak Committee of Shivala Bhaian arranged the Langer and sweets for the processionists.

Some Terrorist tried to muddle in Trade Union work. The AITUC and the CITU Left Trade Unions gave a call for General Strike in the City on 31 st May, 1984, we- requested the workers to bring sticks, hockeys, kirpans alongwith them. Thousands of workers came from Chheharta, Haripura, Batala Road, came in processions to Putlighar Chowk where a big rally was organised. Afterwards we came to know that some young terrorists had collected in the Gurdwara Pipli Sahib, Putlighar with an intention to attack the workers. One religious minded person who was also sympathetic towards the workers told them that you are a few people whereas there were thousands of armed workers in the Putlighar Chowk. Hearing this the terrorists ran away. Another aspect of this strike and rally was that the then S.S.P was inimical towards the communists. Although previously he was informed about the strike and the rally, he sent only two constables and a head constable with sticks to guard the rally. Actually he wanted a clash.

After that the rally took out a procession to the Hall Bazaar and Kotwali and Jallianwala Bagh, to the Golden Temple complex and returned via Katra Jaimal Singh to Pink Plaza.

We brought out thousands of hand bills and posters. We held Prabhat Pheries and Mohalla meetings, throughout the city and organised rallies and processions at different places. The result was that inspite of throwing cow's tales and Heads of Pigs before the temples and Gurdwaras there was no communal incident in Amritsar throughout the ten years of terrorism in Punjab.

Ekta Bhawan Putlighar

It was announced from Darbar Sahib that Ekta Bhawan Putlighar which was the Headquarter of Communists should be attacked and destroyed. Some sympathisers told us.

I asked the whole timers and some other close Comrades to come and guard Ekta Bhawan. About 15 Comrades collected and stayed for about 15-20 days. One illegal Pistol and a few Kirpans were procured and stones and bricks were collected at the top of Ekta Bhawan. Comrades gave 24 hours guard duty. Food for them brought from their homes and houses of other Comrades living nearby.

As per decision of the All Parties Committee, many public meetings and processions were organised in which the leaders of all parties participated. The result of all these activities was that the people of Amritsar got involved in the fight against terrorism. The proof is that inspite of throwing of Cows' tales and heads of pigs by communalists, no Hindu Sikh clash took place during the entire period.

During this period CPI contested Punjab Assembly elections from Amritsar west constituency. In 1967, CPI candidate, Comrade Satya Pal Dang won by more than ten thousand votes by defeating the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir. In 1969, he defeated veteran Congress leader Jai Inder Singh. CPI won this seat five times. In all these elections, I was the chief organiser of the party. I was elected a member of Amritsar Municipal Committee in 1967. Subsequently I was nominated by the party for the District Grievance Committee and District Planning Board. I did Commendable work in these above mentioned bodies for development of poor abadis and all aslums in Putlighar, Haripura, Chheharta and Purani Jail area. Achievements in development of other areas was impressive.

The CPI in Amritsar also took part in all national and international events. During wars with Pakistan, we organised canteens for the Army personal going towards the border.

During Vietnam war we organised processions against imperialism.

During the American inspired attack on Chief and murder of its president, we organised a two hours strike in all factories and took out a procession.

During trade union activities, I got interested in the field of social Security which was a neglected field at that time in the country. This interest was heightened when I was nominated to participated in various ILO National and International seminars, in one which I was elected chairman of the drafting committee. I was also made Chairman of a group of social security experts which drafted a comprehensive law on social security Experts Labour Law Association and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Project. I was nominated by AITUC to the Regional Board of Employees State Insurance Corporation and remained a member for nearly 20 years. I was nominated by AITUC as a Trustee in Central Board of Trustees of Employees' Provident Fund in 1977 and continues to be a Trustee of that all India high level body till date. The entire corpus of nearly over Rs. 166,000 crores of rupees, vestes in this Board and it manages the Employees Provident Fund Organisation throughout the country. This fund has a membership of 42.74 crore workers- being one of the biggest social security organisations of the world.

In the 80s, I conceived an old age, disability and survivor's pension scheme for industrial workers who are members of Fund. I put my proposal before the Central Board of Trustees and eventually the Government of India promulgated such a pension scheme for nearly 40th crore private and public sector employees on 16.11.1995. In India apart from Government employees in the other employees in industry or in Public Sector could dream of getting pension after retirement. This pattern was subsequently adapted by Bank and Insurance employees, Journalists and University Teachers.

In a function held on 23.11.95 on completion of one year of the scheme, I was hailed as Father of Pension Schemeby P.A. Sangma, the then Labour Minister, Dr. L. Mishra, Secretary to Government of India, Department of India and at that time Secretary General, Lok Sabha said that I should be awarded a Golden Scroll of Honour for my contribution in evolving the Pension Scheme and making it acceptable to the workers.

At present nearly 35 lakh retired workers or in case of death during employment their widows and children are getting pension.

I felt that not enough was being done for development and extension of Social Security in India, even by the Trade Unions as well as by the Govt. I mooted the idea of forming the Non-Government Organisation (NGO) which was to be a non partisan organisation. At my initiative and with the active help of R. K. A. Subramania, former Chairman of the Central Board of Trustees of Employees Provident Fund and Addl. Secretary Labour, Social Security Association of India was formed in 1991 and was inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then Finance Minister, government of India.

I continued to be founder President of this organisation. I gave up this office of my own 2- 3 years back. The governing body elected me as Emeritus President of life. This organisation, is a body of high level social security experts academics, Labour economics, former functionaries of International Social Securities Association and International Labour Organisation, Officers of Social Security Organisation.

The two biggest Social Security Organisation i.e. Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation are its international members. This association is devoted to research, study, training and development and extension of Social Security in India. It has already held many seminars, workshops, training camps, round tables in all parts of the country as well as an Asian seminar and has brought out many publication. The association has won National and international recognition in a short period of ten years.

I have authored many books on Social Security in India. Asia Pacific and in developing countries of Asia, Africa and South Africa. These publications include: -Social Security and struggle for human dignity in the developing countries, published in 1988 in English and French by world federation of Trade Unions. -A report on exempted Provident Funds as Chairman of a Committee of CBT. A manual of Social Security in India. -Social Security in Asia and Pacific.

�New approach to minimum wages as measure of social protection in three volumes. (Co-authored with R. K. A. Subramanya, Secretary General, Social Security Association of India.

*A monumental comparative study of Social Security System in 36 developing countries of Asia, Africa and South Africa.

*Protection for the elderly, the disabled and the survivor�s in India at the threshold of 21st century.

*Two booklets on Employees Pension Scheme in English and Hindi as well as in many regional languages.

*UN year for the elderly 1999 -towards a society for all ages. (as Editor) -Health protection in India in the year 2000.

*Unemployment Benefit schemes in Developing Countries. A case for unemployment scheme in India.

Five of the above mentioned books have been published by the German foundation Friendship Ebort Stiffling, copies of these books were sent to ILO and ISSA and these both level organisations have praised my research work in Social Security. Some of the books have world wide circulations.

I used to send two copies publication to International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Security Association (ISSA). Dalmer D. Hoskins, Secretary General of IS SA wrote to me:

*I should like to extend to my sincerest congratulations on this comprehensive volume which constitutes an excellent compendium on the historical background and features of the wide range of old age, invalidity, and survivor's schemes existing in India at the National, State and Enterprise levels. It also pin points some of the crucial issues being faced in this field of Social Security. This publication will therefore be an important addition to our library and I am sure will be widely consulted by those wishing to have a complete picture of the various types of Social protection in India for the elderly, the disabled and the survivors.  

With my renewed thanks and wishing you continued success in your excellent efforts at disseminating information of Social Security in India, I remain. 

--Comrade Parduman Singh

From the New Age Central Organ of the Communist Party of India (CPI)(issue dated Saturday, August 05, 2006.)

Air Force Joins Effort to Help Libyan Evacuees

By Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Fisher  17th Air Force Public Affairs DJAERBA, Tunisia, March 4, 2011 - The U.S. military's contribution to an international effort to end the suffering of Libya's evacuees began in Italy today when two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft picked up humanitarian aid and headed to Tunisia. U.S. Airmen from the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, load blankets, tarps and water containers onto C-130 aircraft in Pisa, Italy, March 4, 2011. The aircraft flew the supplies to Tunisia as part of the U.S. government's efforts with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders during political uprisings. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens  The 37th Airlift Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, stopped in Pisa, Italy, where they picked up cargo from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The team then flew the aid to Djaerba, Tunisia, near where tens of thousands of Libyans and foreign nationals have fled due to the recent political uprising in Libya. Air Force Lt. Col. Charles "Doc" Schlegel, commander of the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, is leading a contingency response team working with aircrews from the 37th ALS on the humanitarian missions. He said his team is excited to partner with 17th Air Force to support the State Department. "We know that there are a lot of folks that are currently displaced, that will hopefully soon be able to return to their home countries and, hopefully, we can expedite that and bring humanitarian assistance to people who need it," Schlegel said. "The 17th Air Force did a great job coordinating with the agencies here, making sure the stuff was ready and could be quickly delivered to people who are in need. This is being driven by the State Department and we are ready to support any requests they have." Alberto Chidini, coordinator of the Army's Camp Darby humanitarian Assistance program near Pisa was on the flightline for the pickup in Italy, making sure the humanitarian cargo was ready to load. It's important for people to be willing to help in situations like the one in Libya and its border regions, he said. "I've seen the reports. Everything is lacking," Chidini said. "The situation is very bad and our people are ready to react. It's important because this could happen to anyone and hopefully someone is ready to help. In this case, [it's] us. "It makes you feel good, it makes you feel proud," he added. While waiting for further requests, the team from Ramstein stayed focused on the task at hand, delivering 40,000 wool blankets, 40 units of plastic sheeting and 9,600 water containers to Djaerba. After finishing the first day's work, the teams regrouped to plan more assistance missions for the days ahead.

U.S. Airmen from the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, picked up blankets, tarps and water containers from the U.S. Agency for International Development to load onto C-130 aircraft in Pisa, Italy. The Air Force will fly the supplies to Tunisia as part of the U.S. government's work with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders during political unrest. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens  U.S. Airmen with the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, unload blankets, tarps and water containers provided by U.S. AID at Djerba Zarzis Airport in Tunisia. The U.S. government is working with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders in recent political unrest. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

Public Affairs NCO Teams with Iraqi Counterparts

By Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Lee  9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force Iraq CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, March 3, 2011 - Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dean Miller is using his 21 years of military experience to assist Iraqi air force officials in developing their own public affairs professionals. Miller deployed here from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Initially, he served here as the team chief for the Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq public affairs team. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dean Miller prepares to board an Iraqi C-130 aircraft Sept. 21, 2010, at New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2010. Miller is the 62nd Airlift Wing's chief of public affairs. Courtesy photo  The senior Air Force noncommissioned officer said the changing mission in Iraq had him a little concerned regarding whether or not there would be enough public affairs work to do. "I was worried that things had become so quiet in Iraq there would not be much of a PA mission," Miller said. "In fact, there was an amazing amount of PA work to be done." Then, Miller received another opportunity during his deployment. He would also serve as the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force PA mentor and be the ground breaker to formalize the Iraqi air force's public affairs advisory program. Miller went full-afterburner with both jobs. "Once I found out I would be serving as an adviser, I knew it would be a great chance to assist another PA team, and strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Iraq," Miller said. "But I also knew I needed to determine the priorities of the Iraqis for their PA program before I could help them." The key challenge at that time was deciding where to start, Miller said. "This was quickly resolved once I met with the Iraqi air force chief of public affairs and we discussed what he wanted to gain for his team," he said. "From there, we moved forward rapidly." Miller worked directly with the Iraqi public affairs team, quickly overcoming language and cultural barriers. After discerning the Iraqi chief's goals, he developed a plan to achieve them. Rapport with the Iraqi team improved throughout his deployment, Miller said, along with the professional accomplishments of the Iraqis. The Iraqi airmen supported the U.S. Forces-Iraq change of command and transition to Operation New Dawn, he said, assisting with the escort and interviews of more than 150 members of the news media at the event ceremony. "This was not merely an advise and train relationship, but a partnership between Iraqi and American military public affairs professionals," Miller said. "Uniting both the U.S. and Iraqi air force PA teams established a trusting partnership and enduring friendship." A highlight from this partnership was the dual Iraqi and U.S. coverage that resulted from the successful Iraqi AC-208 Cessna aircraft Hellfire missile shot. The Iraqi PA team created a professional video news release that the Ministry of Defense PA team released to regional news media. The ACCE-I PA team produced its coverage around the high-quality Iraqi aerial video. Miller said both teams routinely shared video and still photography in a mutually-supportive manner, and joint mission planning leveraged the skills and manpower of both teams. As the relationship developed, he said, the Iraqi PA team members went to great lengths to share their culture with their American partners, introducing local foods and teaching Arabic. Miller said he and his U.S. team reciprocated by bringing the Iraqis to United Service Organizations events and inviting the Iraqi airmen to share meals. "I was surprised at how much they enjoyed one of the country western bands that performed," Miller said. "We always had a great time. Everything we did together really helped us grow as a team."

Dr.Bhatti released the Souvenir & Abstract Book PESI-2011

The 6^th Annual Conference cum Workshop of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India (PESI-2011) is continued at CMC hospital Ludhiana. Conference cum Workshop is being organized by the Department of Paediatric Surgery, CMC, Ludhiana. The academic sessions were inaugurated on Friday  in the presence of distinguished International Faculty including Mr. Gordon MacKinlay, President of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Prof. Long Li., Professor of Paediatric Surgery at the Capital Institution of Paediatrics, Beijing, China and Mr. Ashish Minocha, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK.

Jasbir Singh Khangura known as Jassi Khangura  MLA for Qila Raipur, was the Chief guest for the Inauguration Programme. He complimented the organizers for taking pains to organize such conferences for the upliftment of Medical Sciences and enhancing knowledge amongst the medical fraternity. He extended a warm welcome to delegates from all over the country and abroad to Ludhiana city, known as the “Manchester of India”.

Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, Member Punjab Medical Council also graced the occasion and promised 10 CME Credit hours to the delegates.

Dr. William Bhatti, Head of Paediatric Surgery, CMCL and Organizing Chairman PESI-2011, welcomed the participants and wished them a pleasant and memorable stay in Ludhiana City as well as an enriching PESI-2011. Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director, CMCL lauded the efforts of the Paediatric Surgery department for organizing this prestigious conference cum operative workshop and extended his best wishes to all the participants.

The scientific committee has prepared an exciting programme to suit the delegates with a wide range of expertise in the growing field of paediatric endoscopic surgery. Live operative workshops with interaction between the surgeon and the audience are being organized over the next two days to help improve surgical techniques and skills. The conference will also serve to expose current trends and discuss controversies on various aspects of paediatric endoscopic surgery in the Free Paper Presentation Sessions.          

A number of eminent specialists in the field of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgery will be participating in this conference from 4^th to 6^th March 2011. These include Dr. Reju J. Thomas (CMC, Vellore), Dr. Ketan Parikh (Mumbai), Dr. Mohan K. Abraham (AIMS, Kochi), Prof. K.L.N. Rao (PGI, Chandigarh), Prof. S. Ramesh (Bangalore), Dr. V. Sripathi (Chennai) and Dr. Mona Vashist (Amritsar, Punjab) among others.   

Dr. Anirudh Shah, Chairman PESI-IAPS said that this will be a great opportunity for exchange of knowledge in the field of Minimal Access Surgery in children.

Dr. Rasik Shah, Vice Chairman PESI–IAPS praised the efforts of the organizing committee under the leadership of Dr. William Bhatti, Dr. Dhruv Ghosh and Dr. Nandini K. Bedi, who worked hard to get renowned National and International Faculty to participate in the conference.

Dr. Ravindra Ramadwar, Secretary cum Treasurer PESI- IAPS, promised the participants a very informative and simulating CME programme, devoted to various aspects of Endoscopic Surgery in Children.

The programme was also attended by Dr. S. M. Bhatti, Principal, CMCL who released the Souvenir and Abstract Book PESI-2011 and Dr. Kanwal Masih, the Medical Superintendent, who wished the delegates a memorable and rewarding meeting.--:Rector Kathuria & Shalu Arora

Amnesty International Calls for International Help

New York: Amnesty International warned today of a growing humanitarian crisis as tens of thousands of people flee Libya to neighboring states and urged the international community to offer urgent support to assist those fleeing the violence and chaos.

The United Nations warned on Tuesday that Tunisia would need help to deal with up to 75,000 people who had fled Libya since February 20. It said many thousands remained stuck at the border between the two countries in freezing conditions. 

The U.N. refugee agency said 69,000 people had also crossed into Egypt from Libya since February 19.

“All Libya’s neighboring states must keep their borders open and provide assistance to all those fleeing violence. They are obliged to do this under international law,” said Michael Bochenek, Amnesty International's law and policy director.

“The international community must also do all it can to offer urgent support and assistance to the Tunisian authorities and other states accepting those fleeing the violence, and help migrants return safely to their home countries as quickly as possible if they desire,” 

Amnesty International also said it was concerned that migrants in Libya who originate from countries in sub-Saharan Africa were being turned back at the Tunisian border.

“All those fleeing the chaos in Libya must be given sanctuary by neighboring states without discrimination – not refused entry and put at risk of falling victim to further violence.” 

About 14,000 Filipinos are trapped in Libya, according to the Philippines Labour Department. The Labour Department estimated that there were 30,000 Filipinos working in Libya before the crisis began there.  The Philippine group Migrante-ME has estimated that the total was closer to 150,000.  

Migrante-ME has said that some workers have been hiding in Tripoli while many others are stuck in Libya's oil production areas.

Other foreign migrants workers include an estimated 60,000 Bangladeshis and between 2,000 and 5,000 Nepalis with many struggling to find a way out.

It is estimated that were more than a million refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in Libya before the current crisis, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa.

"The international community must also provide aid to the U.N. High Commission for Refugees and other bodies struggling to deal with this crisis. They must also act quickly, before the problem gets even worse," said Bochenek.

Amnesty International is also calling for:

·        Neighboring countries to allow entry to all arrivals from Libya - of Libyan nationals as well as nationals of other states.
·        Receiving countries to address the immediate needs of arrivals (shelter and accommodation, food, medical services) pending their referral to appropriate services and procedures that address their situation more directly.
·        The international community should assist countries receiving those fleeing Libya with their immediate needs and should assist with resources necessary to ensure that people can reach a place of safety.
·        Allow Libyan nationals temporary protection to allow time for the situation in Libya to be clarified and possible longer-term solutions for them to be identified.
·        States to screen, separate, and respond appropriately to those who are implicated in serious criminal acts, notably crimes under international law.
·        For the referral of those who have been recognized as refugees or are asylum seekers to national asylum procedures or to UNHCR.
·        Provide assistance to those third-country nationals who do not claim international protection with assistance to enable them to return in safety to their homes.


Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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Effective Bomb Attacks Decline in Afghanistan

By Cheryl Pellerin  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 2, 2011 - Across Afghanistan, the percentage of effective enemy attacks using homemade bombs declined from August to January, the outgoing director of an agency devoted to defeating those devices said yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates, second from right, gets a briefing from Army Brig. Gen. Michael Shields, right, and Army Lt. Col. David Flynn, second from left, at the Aghrandab District Center in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Oct. 13, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ian Schell  During a briefing at his organization's headquarters in Arlington, Va., Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates, director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, said the enemy puts out between 1,300 and 1,500 such bombs every month. "But the most important thing is that ... [the enemy's] percentage of effective attacks is declining. It has come down from 25 percent to 16 percent, and that results in fewer dead soldiers and civilians," Oates said. "The enemy," he added, "is 84 percent ineffective against us." But the high number of homemade bombs still being produced means much work remains, he said. "Because the volume has not dropped, this tells us that the enemy still has the motivation, the financing, the precursor material and the ability to emplace IEDs," Oates said. The aggregate data offers a statistical snapshot of activity across the embattled nation, he said, but it doesn't mean that bomb attacks have been less lethal in hot-spot areas such as the south and southwest regional commands, where deaths and injuries have increased recently. "To understand this war in Afghanistan or the one in Iraq," Oates said, "you have to telescope up and down [inside each nation] to get a full view." Methods of attack for the bombs also differ by area in Afghanistan, he said. In eastern Afghanistan, where the Haqqani terrorist network is the principal adversary, Oates said, more command-wire devices and some limited military explosives are used. "Down south," he said, "it's almost exclusively fertilizer-based bombs and pressure-plate devices that our soldiers have to contend with." Those types of bombs, he added, account for 70 percent of the attacks in Afghanistan. Command-wire, remotely controlled bombs remain a very small percentage of the total, the general said. On the battlefield, Oates said, persistent surveillance is one capability that is helping to reduce enemy effectiveness. Soldiers have equipment such as advanced firearm sighting systems, and airborne platforms -- including fixed-wing, manned and unmanned systems – that provide eyes in the sky. "We've increased significantly the number of aerostats, or blimps," Oates said. "They're ground-tethered and they've got cameras and suites of sensors aboard that can pick up a number of things." Sixty-seven aerostats are in Afghanistan now, Oates said. "Commanders there have asked for more," he added, "and we're probably going to double that number in the next year." This constellation of surveillance sensors that have gone into service over the last nine months is making a significant difference in finding the precursors of homemade explosives, the general said, watching those who try to emplace bombs and understanding how the enemy network is moving things around the battlefield. Good training and better protective equipment also have contributed this year to reducing the enemy's effectiveness, Oates said, offering an example. "Last year at this time, there were 12 or 13 route clearance companies in Afghanistan. Today there are 75," he said. "That's an enormous capability to sweep and clear the road on a much more frequent basis and a much more effective basis." In addition to protecting troops, keeping areas clear of roadside bombs also enables the civilian population to use the roads, Oates said, noting that the enemy kills more civilians than coalition and Afghan forces. On March 4, Oates will transfer authority for the organization to Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, who is returning from a 13-month deployment with U.S. Forces Iraq as deputy commander for advising and training. The new director "has extensive combat experience, and most importantly, recent experience," Oates said. Barbero "just came from Iraq three weeks ago, ... so he's going to bring that combat relevancy that's so vital to the directorship," he added. Oates pointed out that the organization was chartered to respond rapidly to warfighters' needs. "I think we've met that challenge," he said. "The people we care most about -- the soldiers and Marines overseas -- they're very happy with our work."

Biographies: Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates Related Sites: Joint IED Defeat Organization  Related Articles: General Sees Progress in Counter-IED Fight  IED Eradication Needs Global Attention, General Says

Face of Defense: Crew Chief Earns Citizenship

By Army Sgt. Amanda Jo Brown  Task Force Phoenix KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, March 2, 2011 - After months of research and dedication, Army Sgt. Andreas Buttner took the oath of U.S. citizenship with more than 100 other service members Jan. 29 at Kandahar Airfield here. Army Sgt. Andreas Buttner, right, displays his certificate of citizenship as he stands next to his escort, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allan Mace, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 29, 2011. U.S. Army photo  Buttner, a 34-year-old crew chief in Company C, Task Force Phoenix, began the process of obtaining his citizenship after arriving here in September. Originally from Fulda, Germany, Buttner deployed to Afghanistan prepared with all of the paperwork he would need to begin his naturalization packet. He acknowledged he was anxious about the process even though he had been extremely thorough. "I was nervous and excited -- nervous that I was missing any documents, [and] excited that I was on track for citizenship," he said. Buttner mailed the completed packet back to the United States to begin the review process, and naturalization authorities began his background check. Four months after submitting his naturalization packet, Buttner and his escort, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allan Mace of Sacramento, Calif., flew to Kandahar to finish the immigration process, which included completing an interview. "The interview took about one and a half hours, and I was very nervous, because the decision for citizenship approval or disapproval is made right then and there," Buttner said. "Of course, the thought of missing any paperwork or supporting documents was on my mind." Prior to his interview, Buttner was required to study 100 questions for an exam that covered American history and government. He passed with flying colors. Mace, who has known Buttner for more than four years, said Buttner sacrificed and invested himself in the United States. "It is people like him who tell the world that with hard work, diligence, dedication and love for a nation that the United States continues to be a country of opportunity and compassion," Mace said. Buttner recommends that soldiers who want to become U.S. citizens take advantage of the support the military offers. "I am extremely proud to be a citizen and to continue to fight alongside my fellow citizens for the stabilization of Afghanistan and to ensure the freedom and liberty of all back home," he said.

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