TRIP REPORT PDAS SCHWEICH TO AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KABUL 000317

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR INL/FO AND SA/FO AMB QUINN
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN/KAMEND


E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER SNAR KCRM AF
SUBJECT: TRIP REPORT PDAS SCHWEICH TO AFGHANISTAN


1. Summary: From January 11 to January 13 PDAS Thomas
Schweich led a team from INL Washington to review the
status of the INL-supported civilian police training,
justice reform and counter narcotics programs in
Afghanistan. The trip included a trip to the Kandahar air
base and regional police training center. Other members
included Robert Gifford, Director INL/CIV, Ranjeet Singh,
INL/AP Acting Director, and Gary Alexander, INL/AP Senior
Advisor. Briefers presented candid discussions of the
status of programs making this a valuable and productive
first visit for PDAS Schweich. Although the Poppy
Elimination Program (PEP) lagged in execution, Embassy
Kabul feels that work-arounds are in effect that would
convince the key governors to implement a strong
eradication effort and provide for necessary verification
of eradication claims. The Afghan Eradication Force (AEF)
program is in transition -- additional personnel need to be
identified and trained but concepts of operations are being
developed and the mobility of the new force should produce
a more effective eradication effort. Planning for the
arrival of INL air assets has been hampered by basing
issues (there is no decision yet by the GOA on the
permanent site for air assets in Kabul),but temporary
infrastructure is being prepared in Kabul and Kandahar.
Training continues with the Narcotics Interdiction Unit as
DEA awaits better air support from dedicated helicopter
capability. The new anti drug law will provide prosecutors
with more weapons to use against the narco-traffickers.
However, the Vertical Prosecution Task Force requires
substantial mentoring and training. The civilian police
program has met its initial training requirements and is
launching into the mentoring phase. Problems with
credentials for trainees and tracking of graduates are
significant in some areas but new procedures are being put
into place to resolve issues. Meetings with CFC components
and our British counterparts tabled various issues that
need continued cooperation and coordination.
End Summary

Counter Narcotics Situation
--------------

2. Doug Wankel (Director, Embassy Counter Narcotics Task
Force (CNTF)) briefed the INL team followed by a full
briefing from the Embassy CNTF pillar heads. Although
implementation of the PEP contract has been slow, 75
percent of the Afghan team members are in all seven PEP
provinces. Between Embassy Kabul, the UK and DynCorp,
workarounds were in place to work with provincial
authorities. Good news included information that the new
Governor of Kandahar had initiated an early eradication
campaign. Kandahars eradication program could be a trend
setter inasmuch as neighboring provinces are looking to
Kandahar before making their own move. Wankel warned
however, that it would not be unreasonable to expect an
increase in planting in Nangarhar province given the sharp
decrease there last year. Overall, the group was encouraged
by the positive actions taken to date by the central
government and the participation of the Governors. However,
Wankel was also clear that there is a difference between
words and actions. The actions of the Governors over the
next two months will be an indicator of the effectiveness
of Governor Led Eradication (GLE). Following is a summary
of briefings the INL team received in each CN pillar as
well as briefings on the justice reform and police training
programs.

Public Information (PI)
--------------

3. The counter narcotics PI campaign is using paid media,
earned media and local outreach to spread the CN message
and is moving into Phase II of the campaign to promote the
forced eradication effort. Since August 2005 the program
has distributed stickers, matchbooks, posters, banners,
SUBJECT: TRIP REPORT PDAS SCHWEICH TO AQHANISTAN
billboards and broadcast 19 radio spots over 7000 times.
Survey results show that community based events and
disQssions have the most impact on the public opinion of
Afghans. PDAS Schweich noted that while this information
was useful, our surveys should focus on measuring the
impact of the PI campaign on Afghans attitudes and on the
CN effort as a whole.

Alternative Livelihoods (AL)
--------------

4. Four of the seven PEP provinces are currently targeted
for AL programs. USAID briefed that the program has paid
over $14 million in cash-for work strategies, providing
over 67,000 farmers with licit wage opportunities.
Irrigation has improved to over 67,000 hectares of land,
which increases the ability of farmers to invest in high
value horticulture. The program has provided credit to
nearly 5,500 farmers and USAID is currently working with
several investors to open agro-processing facilities to
increase farmer incomes and sustainable employment
opportunities. Discussion ensued as to whether the AL
programs are spread too thinly across the country and if
more precise targeting of programs in key areas would be
more useful.


Poppy Elimination Program (PEP)
--------------

5. The PEP, despite a slow start, is gradually gaining
ground. There are currently International Advisors (IAs)
in three of the PEP provinces, and approximately 75% of all
Afghan positions are filled. The contractor, in its
proposal and original timing estimates, underestimated the
logistical challenges that Afghanistan poses, particularly
where it does not have a support base (i.e., the RTCs). In
addition, no permanent provincial offices have been
established although the contractor is in the process of
finalizing plans for such projects. The Afghan team
members are currently using borrowed office space, which
the contractor is in the process of furnishing. After
Afghan PEP officers receive training and logistical support
and the IAs come onboard, the PEP teams will be more mobile
and capable of accomplishing their mission.


6. In subsequent meetings, DynCorp explained that PEP has
faced a number of difficulties, including attracting
qualified candidates for the International Advisor
positions; oversights in the original Technical Proposal
may have failed to provide for adequate communications
capabilities; and geographical, transportation and weather
conditions which restrict or deny movement to the 7 PEP
provinces. DynCorp also noted that critical to the success
of the PEP, and the safety of the PEP teams, will be the
availability of adequate dedicated flight hours on a
regional basis to support movement and sustainment
operations. PDAS Schweich strongly indicated to DynCorp
that PEP team success and eradication/elimination success
this year was critical and that rapid recruitment and
deployment of the international advisors to facilitate PEP
monitoring and verification activities during the
eradication season is imperative.

Afghan Eradication Force (AEF)
--------------

7. There have been a series of meetings with the GOA, UK
and U.S. to develop a plan for both Governor Led
Eradication and Centrally Directed Eradication. Forced
eradication efforts conducted by the AEF will be focused by
region as the crop becomes ready for harvest by region (in
the south first and in the north later in the season).
Targeting is provided by the Ministry of Counter Narcotics,
Central Planning Cell which is currently led by UK
advisors. Continued cooperation and support of this years
effort with various partners in the field, including the
UK, UN Office of Drugs and Crime and CFC-A will be
critical. (NOTE: In a separate meeting with UK Drugs Team
Deputy Graham Zebedee it was clear that there is close
coordination and greater agreement on counter narcotics
goals between the U.S. and UK on the ground. However,
Zebedee expressed the UKs strong opposition to aerial
eradication.) Governor Led Eradication will occur
throughout the entire eradication season and has already
been initiated by the Governor of Kandahar, who has
received support from both the U.S. and UK. Stepped up
public information efforts featuring the preparations of
the AEF for the upcoming eradication season will also be
key to supporting the effort. To date 467 AEF personnel
have received training in force protection and eradication
methods; at full strength, Post envisions a 720-man force.
During operations, a 23-man contractor support team will
l
deploy with a 165 ANP/AEF battalion made up of security
and cutting teams to targeted provinces for up to 30 days
to conduct forced eradication. Battalions can be deployed
to three different provinces at any given time. Air assets
in the form of troop/equipment transports, Medevacs, and
force protection will be heavily utilized. NAS has
developed contingency plans for smaller, more mobile
operations once AEF is in the field. PDAS Schweich and his
team also visited the AEF Compound and toured the
facilities with Afghan AEF Commander General Amiri.

Interdiction
--------------

8. DEA continues to train and mentor the National
Interdiction Unit (NIU),which is part of the Counter
Narcotics Police-Afghanistan (CNP-A). DEA is looking to
expand the NIU from the present 108 members to 300 members.
Additionally, DEA has requested that DOD build several
Regional Operating Bases in order to facilitate the NIU
operating regionally (Kunduz, Nangarhar, Kandarhar, and
nd
Herat). DEA is awaiting the arrival of eight MI-17
helicopters (Russian-made) and one AN-12 (Russian C-130) to
facilitate investigations. NIU/DEA continue to target Mid-
Value and High-Value Targets (MVTs and HVTs),working in
conjunction with the Vertical Prosecution Task Force and
the Kabul Central Narcotics Tribunal. DEA recently
conducted five one-week Basic Narcotic Investigator
Seminars to members of the NIU and CNPA to support this
effort.

CN Justice Reform
--------------

9. Department of Justice (DOJ) representatives advised that
the new drug law is a critical element in GOA's efforts to
build an effective drug enforcement capability. The law
provides authority to use more sophisticated investigative
techniques and more modern prosecution strategies (such as
offering reduced sentences in exchange for cooperation,
etc.). It also provides for certain new offenses, to
include drug related corruption, money laundering and
violent crime cases. DOJ is focusing efforts on mentoring a
Vertical Prosecution Task Force (VTF) of prosecutors,
investigators and judges that concentrates on mid- to high
level drug traffickers. The VTF will be the exclusive
source of cases for the Counter naroctics Tribunal (CNT),
which has national jurisdiction over major drug cases. DOJ
emphasized that the VTF was still not operating as a task
force on a western model in which prosecutors and law
enforcement work together to build cases. There is critical
need for a protective unit and improved drug analysis
capability, as well as wire intercept equipment and
training, and improved internal administrative practices.
DOJ is currently exploring ways to improve the VTF's
infrastructure on an interim basis until the Counter
Narcotics Justice Center is ready this fall.

Justice Sector Programs
--------------

10. Representatives of the INL-funded Justice Sector
Support Program (JSSP) briefed the team on their program,
which is designed to support the development of an
institutionalized and legitimate Afghan criminal justice
system. The JSSP representatives reported that their team
of six legal experts has developed good relations with the
GOA and the international community, placing them in
position to implement reforms and development in concert
with the GOA and with international cooperation. PDAS
Schweich requested the JSSP representatives to outline
their activities and accomplishments and future plans for
programs with a view to the appropriate division of
responsibility between various entities providing justice
sector support in Afghanistan, including USG support by the
Department of Justice, INL and USAID.

INL Air Assets Support
--------------

11. PDAS Schweich and INL team flew to Kandahar for a tour
of the Kandahar airfield (KAF) and toured Kabul
International Airport (KIA) area to review basing
requirements for INL aircraft. Temporary locations in
Kandahar, where the first 6 aircraft will arrive, have been
provided by Task Force STORM at KAF pending construction of
a permanent facility on the southwest end of the air field.
The temporary space is large enough to accommodate all six
aircraft and provide for unimpeded movement of any
helicopter to a launch position without having to move
other aircraft. The notional layout of the permanent site
includes the ramp for aircraft, hangar space, and shops for
maintenance, life support, SAR/Medics, and living
facilities for the entire INL/A contingent. The site will
be largely self-contained, including power generation
facilities, water well, waste water handling, and
ammunition storage.


12. The INL team toured the KIA temporary facilities and
proposed permanent facilities for basing the INL air
assets. Agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for
the USG to use the 110 Acre parcel on the north side of the
airport as a permanent site is still held up with the
Ministry of Transportation. Temporary sites for basing of
the aircraft are in place and will be utilized but the
larger permanent facility will be required to support the
arrival of the additional HUEYs in the coming months.


13. The Afghanistan Wet Lease Program provides leased
medium and heavy lift support to sustain INL CN and police
operations. To date INL/DynCorp has deployed two MI-8
helicopters, an AN-32 fixed wing, and soon to provide a MI-
26 heavy lift helicopter to support the 2006 eradication
season. Temporary quarters are being constructed at the AEF
Base Camp for the Russian aircrews and flight operations
support personnel. A permanent base camp for 280 Air Wing
and Wet Lease personnel will need to be put in place soon.

(SBU)NOTE: The GOA plans to bring down all security
checkpoints, barriers and barricades on Kabul streets by
this spring. Therefore, DynCorp hopes to bring together
separate program offices which are now scattered around
Kabul city and develop a base of operation at the Kabul
airport that will house over 500 personnel and bed-down the
total program in a common operating location. The program
will emphasize continued safe operation of the air assets
and adequate protection of U.S. contractor personnel who
support all of INLs assistance programs. It is not clear
whether the GOA will approve such a large contingent of
foreign nationals living at the airport so an alternate
site adjacent to the AEF base camp is also being
considered. END NOTE.

Police Training
--------------

14. PDAS Schweich received briefings on the INL police
training program from civilian police trainers at the
police Regional Training Center (RTC) in Kandahar and in
Kabul. The program has trained over 62,000 Afghan National
Police (ANP),deployed over 100 U.S. police officers
working with senior ANP officials across the country, and
placed police advisors within the Ministry of Interior
(MOI). The RTC training team explained that the
recruitment process relies heavily on local governance
thereby allowing a large number of trainees with dubious
documentation to receive training. The RTC currently lacks
the ability to adequately track RTC graduates highlighting
the critical need to continue to implement the field
training and mentoring program. In an informal feedback
session with PDAS Schweich, U.S. police mentors also noted
the high rate of attrition once the ANP RTC graduates are
in the field, which anecdotal evidence indicated was due to
corruption and rampant Taliban intimidation. (The RTC
Afghan Commander reported five attempts on his life outside
the RTC.) The officers were also concerned that the USG
was focused on raw numbers of recruits trained. They stated
that more attention should be given to improving and
lengthening the curriculum. (Note: With the recent start of
the mentoring and field training program, there will be a
shift from quantitative to qualitative training now that
there is a critical mass.)

CFC-A
--------------

15. PDAS Schweichs discussion with CFC Deputy Commander
Air Vice Marshal Luker focused on CN coordination issues
including ensuring communication between the various
organizations to ensure de-confliction both at the
operational level and the post-operational level. PDAS
Schweich also met with OSC-A Major General Durbin, who
noted that CFCs view on CN issues had evolved to the point
that counter narcotics issues, in terms of priority, are on
par with the overall security situation in Afghanistan.
PDAS Schweich also met separately with INL police advisor
in OSC-A Billy Ray Fitzgerald to discuss contractor
implementation and operational issues as well as long-term
goals for the police training program.

NORLAND
D