Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL2718
2006-06-14 16:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
KUNAR TRIP HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE AFGHAN INPUT
how-toVZCZCXRO9074 PP RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #2718/01 1651620 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 141620Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0842 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 6050 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFIUU/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEATRS/US TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002718
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, S/CT, SCA/A, NSC FOR AHARRIMAN
CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76
TREASURY FOR APARAMESWARAN, ABAUKOL
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: KUNAR TRIP HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE AFGHAN INPUT
INTO ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002718
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, S/CT, SCA/A, NSC FOR AHARRIMAN
CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76
TREASURY FOR APARAMESWARAN, ABAUKOL
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: KUNAR TRIP HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE AFGHAN INPUT
INTO ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
1. SUMMARY: Increasing Afghans, involvement in
development projects was one of the main themes of the
Ambassador,s June 4 trip to the PRT in Asadabad, Kunar
province. The Ambassador met with Governor Wafa,
members of the local shura, and students from a nearby
school who were an enthusiastic audience for his
remarks. He also visited the site of a tragic rocket
attack on an open air school. There are significant
needs in this province, as is true throughout
Afghanistan, but there is a clear USG plan to start to
meet them. END SUMMARY.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
2. The ambassador repeatedly asked local leaders how more
local participation in development projects could be
encouraged. Most responded initially with uncertainty,
but when pressed usually agreed that they could find
laborers to assist in projects. Constructing stretches
of stone road was repeatedly suggested as a potential
pilot project, especially as a means to connect small
valleys to the roads that run through major valleys
and to district centers. Similar roads have been
constructed elsewhere in Afghanistan and the
prevalence of requisite stones and skilled locals
makes it an appealing project. The PRT Commander and
USAID representatives agreed to explore the
feasibility of such construction. Aside from roads
and protective walls, aquaculture and apiculture were
also suggested by the Afghans.
TAX COLLECTION
3. Tax collection appears to be a confusing topic, as
elsewhere in Afghanistan. Governor Wafa said that
while most of the revenue had to be sent back to
Kabul, municipal tax revenue can be kept within the
province. Wafa pointed out that the lack of shops and
markets results in very little revenue. He is hopeful
that, with greater development, this may improve.
ILLEGAL LOGGING
4. Illegal logging continues to be a problem in Nuristan
and Kunar provinces. The Governor mentioned a plan by
the central government to auction off seized timber.
The visibility of the timber, to would-be poachers,
presently serves as a reminder of the ban. Without
this reminder and with the government able to raise
revenue from the seizure of illegal timber there are
concerns that the logging may continue.
Q & A WITH STUDENTS
5. Visits to two schools made it clear that education is
a priority for this region, although there is still a
clear need for teachers and facilities. The Ambassador
stressed that these requests are not unique to Kunar
and that Afghans need to start to move away from
compiling &laundry lists8 and towards identifying
priorities and areas for collaboration. (Note:
Unfortunately, his words appeared to fall on deaf
ears, as the locals continued to present the
Ambassador with lists of projects throughout the day.
End Note.) One interesting outcome of a discussion
with school-aged boys was that most are considering
jobs in the ANA or ANP.
6. In his remarks to the group, the Ambassador compared
today,s Afghanistan to the country he visited
extensively in the 1960,s. Most of what existed had
been broken but there was little infrastructure then.
Afghans now are more aware of what they do not have
and it will take a long time to meet their new needs
KABUL 00002718 002 OF 002
and expectations. The US has built 400 schools,
including ten in Kunar, and has trained 60,000
teachers, but we recognize that more are needed. In
closing the Ambassador stressed that the US was not
here to rule Afghanistan but truly wants the Afghan
people to take the lead in managing their country. The
US will ask Pakistan to do more to fight the Taliban
and terrorism, a comment that was received
enthusiastically. He stressed that both states should
have a common interest in fighting extremism.
NEUMANN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, S/CT, SCA/A, NSC FOR AHARRIMAN
CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76
TREASURY FOR APARAMESWARAN, ABAUKOL
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: KUNAR TRIP HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE AFGHAN INPUT
INTO ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
1. SUMMARY: Increasing Afghans, involvement in
development projects was one of the main themes of the
Ambassador,s June 4 trip to the PRT in Asadabad, Kunar
province. The Ambassador met with Governor Wafa,
members of the local shura, and students from a nearby
school who were an enthusiastic audience for his
remarks. He also visited the site of a tragic rocket
attack on an open air school. There are significant
needs in this province, as is true throughout
Afghanistan, but there is a clear USG plan to start to
meet them. END SUMMARY.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
2. The ambassador repeatedly asked local leaders how more
local participation in development projects could be
encouraged. Most responded initially with uncertainty,
but when pressed usually agreed that they could find
laborers to assist in projects. Constructing stretches
of stone road was repeatedly suggested as a potential
pilot project, especially as a means to connect small
valleys to the roads that run through major valleys
and to district centers. Similar roads have been
constructed elsewhere in Afghanistan and the
prevalence of requisite stones and skilled locals
makes it an appealing project. The PRT Commander and
USAID representatives agreed to explore the
feasibility of such construction. Aside from roads
and protective walls, aquaculture and apiculture were
also suggested by the Afghans.
TAX COLLECTION
3. Tax collection appears to be a confusing topic, as
elsewhere in Afghanistan. Governor Wafa said that
while most of the revenue had to be sent back to
Kabul, municipal tax revenue can be kept within the
province. Wafa pointed out that the lack of shops and
markets results in very little revenue. He is hopeful
that, with greater development, this may improve.
ILLEGAL LOGGING
4. Illegal logging continues to be a problem in Nuristan
and Kunar provinces. The Governor mentioned a plan by
the central government to auction off seized timber.
The visibility of the timber, to would-be poachers,
presently serves as a reminder of the ban. Without
this reminder and with the government able to raise
revenue from the seizure of illegal timber there are
concerns that the logging may continue.
Q & A WITH STUDENTS
5. Visits to two schools made it clear that education is
a priority for this region, although there is still a
clear need for teachers and facilities. The Ambassador
stressed that these requests are not unique to Kunar
and that Afghans need to start to move away from
compiling &laundry lists8 and towards identifying
priorities and areas for collaboration. (Note:
Unfortunately, his words appeared to fall on deaf
ears, as the locals continued to present the
Ambassador with lists of projects throughout the day.
End Note.) One interesting outcome of a discussion
with school-aged boys was that most are considering
jobs in the ANA or ANP.
6. In his remarks to the group, the Ambassador compared
today,s Afghanistan to the country he visited
extensively in the 1960,s. Most of what existed had
been broken but there was little infrastructure then.
Afghans now are more aware of what they do not have
and it will take a long time to meet their new needs
KABUL 00002718 002 OF 002
and expectations. The US has built 400 schools,
including ten in Kunar, and has trained 60,000
teachers, but we recognize that more are needed. In
closing the Ambassador stressed that the US was not
here to rule Afghanistan but truly wants the Afghan
people to take the lead in managing their country. The
US will ask Pakistan to do more to fight the Taliban
and terrorism, a comment that was received
enthusiastically. He stressed that both states should
have a common interest in fighting extremism.
NEUMANN