CNN news 2011-09-27
First up, Libya steps into the spotlight at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. The North African country is in the middle of a revolution that removed long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi from power.
Yesterday, the U.N. welcomed Libya`s new leadership into the global organization. The moment came with a symbolic gesture. The flag on the left is the United Nations` flag. The one on the right is the new flag of Libya. It was part of a ceremony inside the U.N.
It`s flying outside the building, too, along with the flags of other member countries. Later in the day, members of the General Assembly discussed the future of Libya. The fighting hasn`t stopped in that country. But these world leaders were planning ways to help Libya rebuild after its civil war is over.
Next up, the end of the U.S. military`s "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell" policy. The controversial rule officially expired yesterday, that said that gays and lesbians serving in the U.S. military couldn`t tell anyone that they were homosexual, and they couldn`t be asked about it, either.
But if their sexual orientation became public they could be discharged. The Service Members` Legal Defense Network says more than 14,000 people were removed from the military because of "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell".
With the rule gone, critics are worried that allowing homosexuals to serve openly could make other troops uncomfortable and possibly less effective. U.S. Senator Carl Levin, who pushed for the end of "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell" called the moment, quote, "an important victory, not just for quality, but for integrity."
Around 90,000 members of the U.S. military are in Afghanistan. The goal for them and troops of other nations is to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014. But in order to do that, they need to make sure that the Afghan military can take over its own country`s security.
And one of the biggest challenges is Afghanistan`s terrain. It`s something that Suzanne Malveaux discovered when she went along for a ride with Afghanistan`s developing air force.
Getting around Afghanistan is tough. It`s the size of Texas, but has poor roads, extreme weather and rugged terrain. Travelers are often the target of insurgent attacks.
We are taken on a training exercise aboard a Russian-made MI-17, often used for battlefield operations. On this day, we fly across a huge lake 20 miles east of Kabul. It`s a desolate area, but strategically important for supplying those fighting the Taliban.
Tell me a little bit about the mission, Americans, alongside the Afghans, flying these things.
Well, and it`s not only just the Americans and the Afghans. It`s Americans in our squadron, Kuwaitians,folks from the Czech Republic and from Hungary, all of which are providing training in the helicopters that you see there. So it`s been the ride of my life so far, with respect to.
Mine, too.
Yes. But it`s just been a phenomenal job.
And we saw some pretty rough terrain. They explained to us how important it is to have these helicopters in and out. I mean, it seems like it really is the best way to learn about these mountains, and how to supply these routes, yes?
Yes, the options that you have are a donkey, possibly, or a helicopter. A lot of times, again, as you can see with the rough terrain, especially as you go out to the northeast of where we are, it just gets worse.
How important is it to make sure that the Afghans are able to fly these helicopters, not only as helicopters, but some more advanced aircraft, too?
Well, the -- it`s a -- it`s a fairly expensive asset. I mean, it`s $12 million, each one of those helicopters that we have out there. And, you know, they need to make sure, in the leadership of Afghanistan, wants to make sure that the people that we have flying can handle that $12 million asset.