Ambassador John R. Bass returned from his first visit to Mazar-e-Sharif yesterday after a day of meetings with local officials, civil society members, and NATO military leaders based there. His wife, Holly Holzer, accompanied him on the trip.
Ambassador Bass said “I greatly appreciate the hospitality I received from everyone I met with in Mazar-e-Sharif. The work that civil society and the government is undertaking in Balkh province is inspiring, and I look forward to continuing to work together to build a more stable and peaceful Afghanistan.”
During the visit, Ambassador Bass met with Balkh Provincial Governor Mohammad Ishaq Rahgozar, former Provincial Governor Atta Muhammad Nur, local business leaders, women involved in local governance, and civil society representatives.
He also consulted with Train, Advise, Assist Command – North (TAAC-N) Commander Brigadier General Stahl and other senior military leaders to review training that Resolute Support nations are providing to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to further improve their effectiveness.
The United States supports a number of economic, humanitarian, and development projects in Balkh province aimed at empowering civil society, encouraging business development, and building security.
