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Published: July 19th 2010
The months since my return to Afghanistan from my trip to Europe have been relatively quiet. Although acts of insurgency have been occurring, they seem to have tapered off in number and intensity, with the exception of a couple of high profile attacks. No one seems to know if they are simply running out of assets to conduct their operations or if it some kind of a lull in preparation for a major offensive.
I thought I’d use the opportunity to provide a glimpse into the behind the scenes life here at the PRT. In addition to American and Canadian military, police and diplomatic personnel, there are close to a hundred locally employed nationals (LENs) working at PRT to support the day to day operations of the camp.
These Afghan LENs are interpreters, cooks, carpenters, repairmen, and general labourers. Many of them have learned their trades right here on the camp from Canadians. They have learned to build furniture, pour concrete and repair air conditioning units.
One of them in particular is a man in his 60s who was nicknamed “Popeye” by some soldiers years ago. Camp Nathan Smith, the PRT, is located in what used to be a fruit cannery in the 70’s. At that time, Afghanistan was booming and the cannery was a major employer in Kandahar City. Popeye helped build that plant and worked at it, right through the Soviet invasion in the 80’s, when the plant was scaled back. When NATO forces took over the abandoned plant, Popeye went to work for them, more specifically, for the Canadians. He has 3 wives and several children, 2 of his sons also work for us here at PRT. They have essentially known no other life than working on this site.
A number of years back, some of the medics on camp realized that Popeye was sleeping in an old shed, they gathered building materials and with the help of army engineers, built a small house for Popeye and his sons to sleep in between shifts. Popeye became a respected elder amongst the LENs, in a country where the life expectancy of a male is 42.
Popeye, and all the LEN, live under constant threat. They must conceal their employment from friends and family as anyone cooperating with NATO forces may become a target of the insurgency. Some reside on camp to avoid having to travel in and out of the gate. Others take elaborate detours on their way home to avoid being followed. Most interpreters wear scarves to conceal their faces when working outside the wire. Obviously they must see some reason to continue to work for us under those conditions. Perhaps some feel that they are contributing to the welfare of their country by helping NATO forces, I suspect though that most do it because the money is better than any job they could hope to get in their own economy.
2 nights ago, I was getting a drink before bed. I saw Popeye filling one of the fridges on camp with bottled water, something he did every night without fail. When he finished, he apparently headed off base on his motorcycle. He was apparently headed to visit his wives. Late that night, his oldest son discovered his lifeless body a few blocks from the camp walls. He had been executed.
At this point I can only speculate that this despicable and cowardice act was committed by Taliban insurgents.
A collection has been taken up here to help the family. The intent is to purchase some goats for them and donate a little money. A service is also planned to help the other LENs grieve and show our support and appreciation for their work.
I also learned recently that a fast track immigration system is in place for eligible LENs. Surely, folks who work as hard as Popeye did would make fine Canadians.
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Vince G
non-member comment
You have to wonder...
That's too bad to hear, Pat. I agree that Canada could use more hard-working, dutiful people such as "Popeye". Instead, we seem to get some immigrants who have little respect for Canadian police or the law; where some commit multiple criminal offenses. You have to wonder where Canadian Immigration legislation is at, when people like Popeye are kept out, and certain "imported" criminals are not being shipped back to their countries of origin.