John F. Sopko meets with Ambassador James B. Cunningham at the U.S. Embassy-Kabul. (SIGAR photo)
KABUL, Afghanistan - Special Inspector General For Afghanistan Reconstruction John F. Sopko recently concluded his inaugural visit to Afghanistan, where he toured SIGAR facilities and met with top U.S. and Coalition officials.
"This visit underscores my conviction that we have a short period of time - two years - in which to make a real difference as an organization," said Mr. Sopko, appointed in July by President Obama.
"As the United States and our allies draw down our combat power, with major forces set to depart by the end of 2014, it will become increasingly difficult for SIGAR and other civilian agencies to travel outside of the major population centers and military bases.
"So I've instructed everyone on the SIGAR team - both in Afghanistan and at our headquarters in Arlington, Va. - to work harder, to lean into our work, and to be driven by a renewed sense of commitment and urgency."
John F. Sopko meets Marine Gen. John R. Allen, commander of ISAF and USFOR-A, at ISAF headquarters, Kabul. (ISAF photo)
Mr. Sopko's trip included visits to Herat in Western Afghanistan and Bagram Airfield north of Kabul, where he toured the Spartan living quarters of SIGAR agents posted there.
He met with all available SIGAR personnel posted to Afghanistan and received briefings from key military, diplomatic and civilian officials, including, among others:
- U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham.
- Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S.-Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A).
- Ambassador Stephen McFarland, coordinating director for rule of law and law enforcement.
- Ambassador Hilda M. Arellano, coordinating director for development and economic affairs.
- U.S. Consul Brad Hanson, U.S. Consulate-Herat.
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John F. Sopko tours SIGAR quarters at Bagram Airfield. (SIGAR photo)
Ken Yamashita, mission director of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
- Italian Army Gen. Luigi Chiapperini, commander, ISAF Regional Command-West.
- Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commander, ISAF joint command, deputy commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.
- Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolger, NTM-A/CSTC-A deputy commander.
- Maj. Gen. Richard Longo, director, Task Force 2010.
- Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, deputy commanding general-support, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.
- Brig. Gen. Stephen B. Leisenring, senior contracting officer-Afghanistan.
- Brig. Gen. Dixie Morrow, deputy coordinating director of rule of law and law enforcement.
- Herat province Gov. Daud Shah Saba.
- Herat University Chancellor Mir Ghulam Bariz Hosseini.
- Karen Decker, senior civilian representative, Regional Command-East.