Back to Focus

Cav talks the talk

8-1 Strykers learn that being direct doesn’t get you too far in Afghanistan

A farmer argues that some of his sheep were killed by an American artillery strike. Listening is Gen. Abdul Razik, the commander of the Afghan Border Patrol, Lt. Col. William Clark and an interpreter. Photo by J.M. Simpson

Email Article Print Article Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon

In talking with Afghanis, one learns quickly that indirect and nuanced conversation is the manner in which business is done.

"Being direct does not get us anywhere," Lt. Col. William Clark told me as we headed to a meeting.  And speaking of meetings, the Afghanis are not known for being on time for meetings.

"They arrive when they arrive," said Clark with a smile.

During these meetings, discussions begin with small talk - questions about family and friends.  Perhaps 20 to 30 minutes will pass like this.  Chai and small snacks will be served.

I sat in on a meeting in which a farmer named Wali Dad claimed that a 155mm shell landed near his home and killed a number of sheep.

Soldiers from the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, had assessed the alleged damage and found no evidence of a shell striking anywhere near the farmer's residence.

At one point during our meeting the man claimed that 37 sheep had died; another time he said 90 sheep had died.

I thought I was at an auction and wondered if the number would reach 100.

The number of dead sheep seemed to vary with the amount of money the farmer thought he could get from Lt. Col. Clark.

The squadron's commander produced photographs that clearly showed that the sheep, a car and the nearby buildings had not been impacted by 155mm artillery round.

The farmer continued to press his case.

Sitting between Dad and Clark was Gen. Abdul Razik, a militia leader and the commander of the Afghan Border Patrol (ABP).  Clark had asked him to attend out of respect for Afghan culture and tradition.

It was a smart move by Clark - by asking Razik to attend and help arrive at a solution, Clark signaled his continued willingness to work the local Afghan authorities.

Privately, Razik admitted that he thought the farmer was stretching the truth at bit.  But during the meeting with the farmer, he said the farmer should receive compensation, if only to restore the farmer's sense of honor.

Clark agreed.  He offered to pay the farmer $125,000 in Afghan money - or $2500 in American money.  That amount is the maximum that Clark can pay without higher headquarters' authorization.

The farmer said no.  He wanted the Afghan equivalent of $13,000 in American money.

I think at this point the farmer was saying 87 sheep had been killed.

Nonetheless, Clark again recited the evidence that the shell did not strike anywhere near the farmer's residence.

He also said that if the farmer did not accept the offer, then he would have another team come up from Kandahar and conduct another assessment.

Clark also told him that the investigative team could determine he was owed nothing.

"If you want another investigation," said Clark, "we will not pay you any money today."

Clark emphasized that he was willing to pay the farmer something in order to allow the man to save face.

"We are here to help you, not hurt you," said Clark.  "We respect your country and its culture."

But the farmer would not budge, and soon left the meeting.

"Gen. Razik tells me that the farmer is a good man, an honest man," said Clark as we headed back to FOB Blackhawk.

I wondered aloud if "honest" was a relative term in Afghanistan and that the farmer was honest relative only to what could have been asked for.

"Everything here is relative," said Clark with a smile.

Read next close

News Articles

Center tests new, light Mortar

Comments for "Cav talks the talk"

Comments for this article are currently closed.