Photos Released:Afghan Army Received More Support From the Soviets in the 1980s Than From the U.S. Now

U.S. Could Train and Equip 250,000 Afghan Soldiers for Less Money Than Support
for 3,600 U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Newly released photos show that the Afghan Army received more support from the
Soviets during the Soviet Occupation in the 1980s than it is currently receiving
now from the U.S. Yet, it will cost the U.S. more to support 3,600 U.S. troops
in Afghanistan than training and equipping the 250,000 Afghan soldiers needed to
defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban.1

These photos illustrate the difference between how the circa 1989 Afghan Army
was equipped with Soviet supplied tanks, versus today`s Afghan Army equipped
with pick-up trucks and minivans.

The photos are courtesy of Campaign for a U.S. - Afghanistan Partnership
(CUSAP), a group of interested U.S. and Afghan citizens promoting its vision for
achieving sustainable security and prosperity in Afghanistan. They are available
at:

http://cusap.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/us_support_today.jpg

According to Hamed Wardak, founding board member of CUSAP, "As the ANA becomes
more effective, U.S. security personnel can play a smaller role in day-to-day
security in Afghanistan. This will not only alleviate the current burden on the
U.S. armed forces, but improve relations between the Afghan people and the U.S.
military."

President Obama stated on March 29, 2009 on Face the Nation (CBS television),
"[It`s] been one of the few success stories we`ve seen over the last several
years … the Afghan National Army actually has great credibility. They`re
effective fighters. We need to grow that."

In addition, The Asia Foundation reported in its report, State Building,
Security, and Social Change in Afghanistan, published October 28, 2008, "Public
opinion polls confirm that it is the most respected government institution in
Afghanistan."

About CUSAP:

CUSAP believes that Afghanistan can be a strong, prospering nation, but that
continued support of the United States is necessary to ensure that this will
happen. The organization launched with more than 200 members, acquired through
its Facebook Group and its website. www.cusap.org

Other CUSAP founding board members include Milton Bearden, retired Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer - CIA station chief in Pakistan from 1986 to
1989 during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - an author and film consultant;
and Hedieh Mirahmadi, a world-renowned expert on understanding Islamist
movements, is Executive Director and Founder of WORDE [www.worde.org], a think
tank devoted to giving voice to stifled and oppressed Muslim societies and
transforming them into progressive, self-sustaining institutions that are the
cornerstone of a grass roots democracy.

1Mark Thompson, Will More US Troops Really Help in Afghanistan, Time Magazine,
October 29, 2008.

For Campaign for a U.S. - Afghanistan Partnership
Rob Wyse, 212-920-1470
rob@mediafirstpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009