Meeting the Community Leaders

This was the first time that KAIA Commander Brig.-Gen. Philippe Adam and Col. Zoltán

Apáti, the commander of the Hungarian contingent had met the community leaders from the

environs of the airport since the second rotation of the HDF Kabul International Airport Force

Protection Contingent (HDF KAIA FPC) has assumed its duties.

Supporting the local administration is a key element in the Afghanistan mission. This

involves keeping contact with the maleks and supporting them because alongside the official

elements, they play a very important role in the system of Afghan government administration.

The maleks (village elders) are in high public esteem, and the local community chooses them

to hold their office for a lifetime. Most community leaders in Kabul and its environs had

previously been mujahideens (persons participating in the armed defence of Muslim lands).

They have already proven themselves as commanders in the Northern Alliance, so they are

recognized both on local and regional levels.

There has been a population explosion in Kabul in recent years. The region to the north of the

capital, where the KAIA is situated, had earlier been sparsely populated, but this has changed

by now. The regular meetings are aimed at surveying the issues and needs of the people

living in the surrounding areas, and also at finding solutions to them in order to improve the

living conditions of the population and enhance the people’s sense of security. The maleks

have requested the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to provide support for the

educational institutions, drinking water supply and drainage. In agriculture, there is also a

great need for assistance at the end of the rainy season in the period of sowing.

At the meeting organized by the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officer of the second

rotation of the HDF KAIA FPC, Brig.-Gen. Adam and Col. Apáti promised to evaluate the

submitted requests and to find the means for supporting the improvement of living conditions

for the people living in the area of the airport. Keeping direct and regular contact with the

local population goes a long way towards enhancing the sense of security of the soldiers

serving in the camp as well.