ZABUL GOVERNOR ON ROMANIAN DEPLOYMENT, UAE AID,

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002975 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO, SA/A, S/CRS, SA/PB, S/CT, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR BREZINSKI CENTCOM FOR CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2016 TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV PTER AF SUBJECT: ZABUL GOVERNOR ON ROMANIAN DEPLOYMENT, UAE AID, ROADS, AND POLICE Classified By: AMBASSADOR RONALD NEUMANN, REASONS 1.4 (B),(D) ¶1. (S) In a meeting with Ambassador Neumann on June 30, Zabul Governor Arman expressed his concern with the ability of the Romanians to operate in Zabul province without additional support. Leaving aside the question of combat capability, he cited three factors: 1) the Romanian troops will be new; 2) they will not have much experience in interacting with the local community, meeting with local shuras, etc., and will not have time to learn; and 3) the enemy will use the U.S. handover to the Romanians for propaganda purposes. ¶2. (S) Arman predicted that the Taliban would attack the Romanians to probe for weaknesses. He said that Zabul needs more troops for the next six to seven months, until the enemey understands that the Romanians are part of a U.S. team, and not the other way around. Arman said he has made the same points to CFC-A CG LTG Eikenberry and ISAF CG LTG Richards. ¶3. (S) Ambassador Neumann commented that the USG is well aware of these issues. He said there are two separate questions: First is, will there be enough fighting forces in Zabul? We, including ISAF and the Coalition, are determined to solve this issue. Second is, how will people see the change? He noted that it may be that the first issue is solved but the second is not, if people focus their attention not on actual capability but rather on the drawdown of U.S. troops. In that case we will have to work with the Governor to focus people on reality. Road Issues -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Governor Arman asked the Ambassador,s assistance on building or rebuilding several roads in Zabul. He said that roads are essential to security. Arman mentioned in particular the road from Qalat to Shinkay, a recently rebuilt gravel road that had deteriorated again due to flooding until it was unusable. (Comment: Embassy/CFC-A will follow up.) Arman mentioned the need for several other roads connecting Qalat with district centers. He said that paved roads are better than gravel, not only because they don,t wash out but also because it is harder to set IEDs on them. Ambassador said he recognizes the need but that there are budget constraints. He pointed out that paved roads are extremely expensive and sometimes it is better to start with gravel and then upgrade when more funds become available. Abu Dhabi,s Assistance to Zabul -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Referring to Abu Dhabi,s recent contribution of a modern hospital to Qalat, Governor Arman said there is still a pressing need for trained medical personnel as well as medicine. He said he has been in contact with government officials in Abu Dhabi to get this support. The Ambassador said he has done so as well. Governor Arman said he would be delighted to see more UAE involvement in Zabul, whether military or economic. KABUL 00002975 002 OF 002 Meetings with Mullahs -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In a related remark, Arman remarked that he has recently been reaching out to the religious ulema, thinking that if the government gained their support, low-level Taliban would follow. He said that in particular he is trying to get the ulema from Shahjoy province to meet with Karzai - although he has had trouble getting the appointment, he is still hopeful. (Comment: The mullahs are clearly afraid of the Taliban. End comment.) New Police Chief - Okay, Not Spectacular -------------- ¶7. (SBU) When asked about the new Zabul police chief, Arman politely said that he was "pretty good," but he added that he regretted losing his former chief. (Note: Nabi Khan, the former Police Chief, has been transferred to Helmand as part of the recent police appointments. End note.) Arman said that the new man, Noor Mohammad Paktin, is not as active as his predecessor - he likes to sit in his office and send orders. He doesn,t get out in the field the way Nabi Khan did. NEUMANN