General, it is rare for me not to agree with you, but if I were a head of state, I would prefer to have my troops in the north rather than in the south. Of course it is always possible for attacks to surface elsewhere, but everyone knows that the Taliban stronghold is in the south and that is not an easy area to be in.
Earlier on, I asked Gen. Howard a question, and as my colleague said, he sent you the puck. I would like to follow up on that. It would seem that this is a new contentious issue: I am referring to the way in which we can convince the hearts and minds of Afghans of our good will. It would seem, from what we're hearing, that there is more reconstruction and development occurring. However, in terms of civil losses, they are starting to hurt. I am a member of the Defence and Security Commission of the NATO Parliamentary Association, and this subject will be addressed in the report of the general rapporteur. You heard my questions earlier on and I would like you to explain to us who decides that there will not be a surgical hit, that the air force will not intervene. I would like you to clarify this point. It seems to me to be an important issue and it could lead to less civilian support.