Word: stops
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...public message on the use of arms? Why shouldn't I? I want the Afghan people to know what we are about. I am not scared about the Taliban knowing that we are going to go protect the population, because at the end of the day, they can't stop us. They can resist that, but they can't stop us from doing that. So I think everyone knowing that that is our intent reinforces with the Afghan populace that obviously we are on their side. But it also reinforces in our force that that is the important thing...
...Last week you delivered a firm directive to your commanders in a morning brief. There had been an incident in which civilians were killed when soldiers ordered a strike on a compound from which they were receiving fire. In the brief you ordered your commanders to "stop dropping compounds." Can you tell me more about this? What we have done is written a tactical directive. And it provides my intent on how we are going to execute operations in general [to be released soon]. But specifically, the use of deadly force. The reason I spent a lot of time personally...
...have to look at what this tells us about their capabilities and intent. We know that IEDs have a tremendous psychological impact on everyone - on the population, on the coalition forces, on the ANSF. We also know they inhibit freedom of movement. So to the degree that they stop you or hinder you from going into an area, they can protect sanctuaries for insurgents. So what we are looking at hard right now is not only how we can combat them but also what are they trying to do with them, what is their real intent. What we found...
...believer in justice. I believe people fight when they don't have justice. And so if you want to stop this fighting, let's bring justice...
...here, people will drive up and take our timber." Right away that teaches you that if you don't understand, and you put in a road - just like Greg Mortenson found out [when] he wanted to build a school but the villagers needed a bridge - sometimes you have to stop and figure things out. They are not illogical. They are rational. So what they want and why they do things is often based on things we don't understand. So first, you have got to understand that, and then go from there...