PRT/HELMAND FROM THE STARS AND STRIPES TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 002021

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB MQUINN),SA/A, S/CR, SA/PAB,
S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
OSD FOR BREZINSKI
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER AF
SUBJECT: PRT/HELMAND FROM THE STARS AND STRIPES TO
THE UNION JACK THE UK ASSUMES CONTROL OF LASKAR
GAH PRT

KABUL 00002021 001.2 OF 003



(SBU) SUMMARY: On May 1, the UK officially took
k
charge of the Lashkar Gah PRT in a transfer of
authority (TOA) ceremony. The outgoing U.S.
commander told an audience of UK, U.S. and Afghan
attendees that U.S. troops can be proud of what they
achieved. The new UK commander said that the UK PRT
will build on the good work that the U.S.
accomplished. Local and international media covered
the event. The UK PRT civilian and military
presence will be much greater compared to that of
the U.S. PRT. The UK will also bring a different
approach to security and development. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The long anticipated TOA occurred at 4:30
PM on May 1. Representing the provincial government
(the Governor and the deputy governor were not in
Lashkar Gah),Ministry of Interior representative to
the PRT, Colonel Fakhir, told the audience of UK,
U.S., and provincial government personnel that, on
behalf of the government, he officially welcomed the
new UK PRT. The government very much appreciated
the help that the U.S. had provided since June 2004
4
and looked forward to working with the UK.


3. (SBU) The outgoing U.S. commander said that
U.S. troops could be proud of what they accomplished
during their one year tour. (Note: The civil
affairs component of the PRT has started or
completed 75 reconstruction projects, valued at
about USD 10 million. End Note). He expressed his
admiration for his Afghan counterparts, quoting an
old Pashto proverb, I may not see you for 1,000
years, but I will think of you 1,000 times a day.
As the U.S. PRT commander finished his speech, the
U.S. flag was lowered and the UK flag raised.


4. (SBU) The new UK PRT commander said that he was
very proud to take on the PRT and contribute to the
security, governance, and development of Helmand
province. He said that the PRT would build on the
fine work performed by the United States.


5. (SBU) The TOA received significant attention
from the media. In addition to local television and
other Afghan journalists, British and Canadian media
were also represented.

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THE TRANSITION
--------------


6. (SBU) The Lashkar Gah PRT has been operated by
U.S. troops since June 2004, although the present
camp opened in March 2005. As a U.S. PRT, the
population varied from about 90 to 110 soldiers,
with one civilian representative each from State,
USAID, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
respectively. The Texan National Guard provided
internal security and force protection for the civil

KABUL 00002021 002.2 OF 003


affairs contingent and the PRT commander. The
Guards mission was to support the commanders
leadership engagement missions and civil affairs
reconstruction efforts throughout the province.
Civil affairs projects reached every district in
Helmand. A military police platoon provided basic
training to the local police. In October, two U.S.
police advisors arrived; in February, the first
Poppy Elimination Program advisor arrived. The
second arrived on May 2. These four officials work
for DynCorps, a contractor to the State Departments
Qs
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs.


7. (SBU) In preparation for the transition, a UK
liaison officer arrived at the PRT in October 2005.
Following his arrival, UK engineers made several TDY
visits to survey the camp and plan for the necessary
changes to support the UK deployment. In December,
a UK PRT commander arrived. He maintained close
liaison with his U.S. counterpart, learning about
the issues and activities concerning the PRT. As UK
troops began to arrive, they undertook missions,
such as joint police patrols as well as visits to
other districts, to explain to Helmand citizens the
upcoming UK deployment and what it would mean.


8. (SBU) Construction began in January 2006.
Since the UK PRT is also the location of the UK task
force assigned to Helmand province, this required an
expansion of camp facilities. As a result, one wall
was pushed out to accommodate numerous permanent
tents, including quarters for soldiers, offices for
the task force, a new dining tent, and an ablutions
block. The camp will accommodate about 400
personnel when all elements are in place.

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A DIFFERENT APPROACH
--------------


9. (SBU) The UK emphasis will be on enhancing
security and security/justice sector reform,
capacity building of government entities, and
economic and social development. A significant
difference is the expanded presence, both civilian
and military. When complete, the UK civilian
component will consist of about 15 officials,
including two Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
personnel, a Department for International
Development (DFID) representative, and various
contract advisors for police, justice,
counternarcotics, and governance. There is also a
fulltime UK contract advisor working with Helmand
Governor Daud. The UK civilian component also
includes a security team and armored vehicles. A
senior FCO official based in Kandahar Air Field will
also cover the PRT on a part-time basis.


10. (SBU) On the military side, the UK deployment
will include about 3,300 troops. About 2,000 will

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be in Helmand fulltime, at a new base being
constructed in the desert, about two hours northwest
of Lashkar Gah. An ANA brigade will be located
adjacent to the UK troops. The PRT itself will have
a maneuver company, supporting PRT activities and
enhancing security in the Lashkar Gah area. In
addition, the UK plans to increase liaison with the
local population through joint foot patrols and
multi-day visits to outlying districts. All these
activities will be conducted jointly with the Afghan
National Army, Afghan National Police, or both,
according to UK PRT officials.


11. (SBU) Development will also be approached
somewhat differently. There is no UK equivalent to
the Commanders Emergency Response Program. There
is a quick impact program run jointly by the
military, FCO and DFID; however, most development
activities will be administered by DFID and much of
h of
that will flow through government ministries and
national programs. DFID also plans to support the
establishment of a fully representative provincial
development committee. All activities will be
overseen by the sub-national government.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


12. (SBU) The relationship between the U.S. PRT
and its host counterparts was very positive. In
general, signs point to a similar relationship with
the UK PRT. However, the UK will be operating in a
different environment. While citizens are pleased
with the idea that the large UK military deployment
will enhance security, we have long been expecting
an uptick in the level of violence this
spring/summer in the south, but police and ANA
redeployment and the substantial increase in British
strength should make significant gains possible in
Helmands security. Quick impact projects may also
play a key role in maintaining development momentum
until longer term projects are implemented. Poppy
eradication may also have some impact on
stabilization. Finally, there is the factor of the
UKs imperialist past in Afghanistan three
invasions that are still taught in Afghan schools.
All these elements point to a sizeable challenge for
the UK PRT and the accompanying military deployment.

13. Embassy Comment: It is true that Afghans have
a long memory for history, and a few Afghans even
comment on the (unfortunate) British colonial
history. In general, however, the great majority of
Afghans understand and support the modern-day
British role here.

NEUMANN