Hundreds of Afghan fighters exchanged weapons for cash, food and clothes Monday under a U.N.-sponsored program hailed by the defense minister as the key to improving security in Afghanistan. The $41 million initiative, mostly funded by Japan, aims to decommission 100,000 battle-hardened militiamen in a step toward lasting peace and creation of a new national army and police force. “Implementation of this program will take Afghanistan out of its problems,” said Defense Minister Mohammed Fahim. Soldiers paraded on a field outside Gardez in eastern Afghanistan, where surrendered weapons, ranging from rifles and rocket-propelled grenades to anti-aircraft missiles and more than 20 tanks, were put on display. Full Story