Afghan support key to success -- general

WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- The reaction of the Afghan population to the presence of U.S. and international forces is a determining factor of mission progress, U.S. military officials say.

U.S. Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the metrics employed to measure success in Afghanistan.

"I believe personally that one of our key metrics for success will be over the next few months to see whether or not there is a shift in the attitude of the local residents," the general said.

Cartwright was appearing before lawmakers who are considering his reappointment.

Military strategists are basing their counterinsurgency doctrines for Afghanistan on the ability to win over the "hearts and minds" of the domestic population. Cartwright said that when Afghans begin offering intelligence to U.S. military forces, "we will have an opportunity to turn the corner," the Pentagon reports.

His comments echo statements from Marine Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, who said the focus of the Afghan military effort "from the very beginning has been on the people, not the enemy."

Around 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan soldiers have descended on the southern Afghan province of Helmand in support of Operation Strike of the Sword, meant to take control over Taliban-held areas.