Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL2472
2006-05-30 13:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

PRT/PANJSHIR Q BIG TEST FOR AMMO REMOVAL

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER AF 
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VZCZCXRO1477
OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #2472/01 1501307
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301307Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0562
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//JF/UNMA//
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFIUU/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2590
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2743
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 6017
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1412
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 002472 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/FO (J. GASTRIGHT),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/PANJSHIR Q BIG TEST FOR AMMO REMOVAL


KABUL 00002472 001.2 OF 003


A)QKABUL 857

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 002472

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/FO (J. GASTRIGHT),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/PANJSHIR Q BIG TEST FOR AMMO REMOVAL


KABUL 00002472 001.2 OF 003


A)QKABUL 857


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The UNDP/ANBP program to remove
mines and ammunition from Panjshir is reaching a
critical juncture. As it nears successful
completion of work at the site of Parakh, it now
takes on a greater challenge at Paranday, both in
terms of depot size and local resistance. UNDP/ANBP
officials report they will start at a slow pace and
use Afghan trucks and personnel. The PRT is working
behind the scenes to play a supportive role.
Paranday was the scene of earlier confrontations
over ammo removal and may be again. END SUMMARY.

State of Play
--------------


2. (SBU) The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and AfghanistanQs New Beginnings Programme
(ANBP) have removed over 650 loads by Kamaz truck
from Panjshir after almost a year of work. Reftel
(QAmmo Removal Gains MomentumQ) reported on the
mounting progress of the overall effort, while
cautioning that the next big undertaking, at the
Paranday depot, would be challenging. Paranday is
located in central Panjshir, in a side valley seven
km north of MassoudQs tomb. It was the scene of two
confrontations last year when locals stopped UN
convoys. In the second incident December 13, the
convoy came under fire.

UNDP/ANBP Approach
--------------


3. (SBU) Recently, PRTQers have been meeting with
UNDP/ANBP officials in Panjshir and Kabul concerning
next steps for the Mine and Ammunition Project in
the province. These officials tell us:

-- Clearing of the Parakh site, part of the
GovernorQs compound and next to the PRT office, is
nearing completion. So far, UNDP/ANBP has removed
340 loads by Kamaz truck from Parakh. Most of the
ammo is unserviceable and loose. Citing political
sensitivity, the Governor slowed down the removal
rate, which at one point reached up to twenty trucks
per day, but is now down to two or three. UNDP/ANBP
expects to wrap up work at the site by the end of
May.


-- The next site, Paranday, is more challenging.
Its ammo stocks are large: equivalent to 500 truck
loads. The ammo is serviceable and packaged. It
includes artillery shells, mortar rounds, anti-tank
and anti-personnel mines. There are several
containers of pistols, but no AK-47s. Stocks are
all of Soviet origin.

-- UNDP/ANBP intends to Qtread with careQ as it
restarts its work there in early June. In an
agreement worked out with Panjshiri officials,
UNDP/ANBP will use trucks from the Afghan Defense
Ministry, and not from the UN. Only two trucks,
loaded and driven by Afghans, will be in operation
per day. After two weeks, UNDP/ANBP will reassess
these modalities.

KABUL 00002472 002.2 OF 003



Afghan Role
--------------


4. (SBU) Several Panjshiris are playing key roles
concerning ammo removal from Paranday. Panjshir
Governor Bahlul Qblows hot and coldQ on the Paranday
effort, according to a UNDP/ANBP official. The
Governor told a visiting NATO delegation May 17 that
ammo removal was Qproceeding well, but faced
political opposition from Panjshiris concerned about
the deterioration of security in southern
Afghanistan.Q According to our contacts and our own
observations, he is sensitive to local political
pressure to go slow on removal. UNDP/ANBP officials
plan to meet with him regularly and press for a
Qsecurity guaranteeQ on Paranday.


5. (SBU) Deputy Governor Kabiri has the operational
lead on Paranday among Panjshiri officials. He told
us he is committed to seeing through the effort, but
needs political and material support. He requested
some humanitarian aid. He said some Afghan-funded
projects were already underway there.


6. (SBU) Wolesei Jirga member Registani is becoming
increasingly vocal in his opposition to ammo
removal. This spring he started speaking on the
matter at Panjshir mosques during Friday services.
On May 12, the parliamentarian voiced his criticism
at several mosques in the valley. He claims that
ammo removal is a QmistakeQ given the need for
Panjshiris to retain the ability to fight again
against the Taliban, if necessary. Our contacts
report that his themes resonate among the
Panjshiris. UNDP/ANBP officials call him a Qbit of
a problem.Q They have raised his opposition with
Army Chief of Staff Bismullah Khan and are prepared
to go to First VP Massoud as well.


7. (SBU) Mallowi Mohammed Khan, who lives in
Paranday across from the depot, reportedly
instigated the attack on UNDP/ANBP in December.
First VP Massoud ordered his arrest, but the
religious leader was able to avoid it. Reportedly,
he still resides in Paranday. He argues that ammo
removal is ill-conceived for two main reasons:
because the ammo is removed and then sold illegally
to line the pockets of government officials; and
because the central government is not capable of
providing security for the country, as the
resurgence of violence in the south demonstrates.
According to UNDP/ANBP, he has agreed to accept ammo
removal in Paranday, but only through a passive
stance.

PRT Support
--------------


8. (SBU) On Paranday, the PRT is in close contact
with the Governor and Deputy Governor, but do not
intend to approach Regestani or Mallowi Mohammed
Khan. We will play a behind-the-scenes role. We
met with the Deputy Governor to discuss possible
projects in Paranday to ease the political
controversy over ammo removal. Projects from both

KABUL 00002472 003.2 OF 003


military funding (CERP) and USAID funding (QIP) are
under consideration. We will also work with ENTES,
the contractor for the main road, to apprise
Panjshiri officials when work will start near
Paranday, expected this summer.


9. (SBU) PRTQers did a familiarization drive
through Paranday May 27, accompanied by local
police. They came upon a checkpoint at the southern
end of the valley and used a narrow road climbing
3,000 feet in altitude. The ammo containers, over
50 in all, lined the road; some ammo and weapons
were visible. The PRTQers encountered only sparse
population. They located a middle school that could
be a recipient of school supplies. They determined
that Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and
Development was working to improve the road and
build a seven km retaining wall.


10. (SBU) Comment: There are nine depots surveyed
by UNDP/ANBP in Panjshir, representing more than
1,500 truck loads of ammo and mines. The site in
Paranday may be the most challenging, certainly from
a political standpoint. The UNDP/ANBP strategy
appears sound: building momentum at other sites,
consulting closely with Afghan officials in Panjshir
and Kabul, and starting cautiously in Paranday. The
PRT will do its part. Nonetheless, ammo removal at
Paranday still has the potential to turn
confrontational. End Comment.

NEUMANN