PRT/HELMAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000378

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB MQUINN),SA/A, S/CR, SA/PAB, S/CT,
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STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
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SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER SNAR AF
SUBJECT: PRT/HELMAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD

1.(SBU)SUMMARY: The Helmand Provincial Council (PC) has
been active since getting organized in late November. PC
PC
members have participated in a number of public events in
Lashkar Gah (the provincial capital) and outlying
districts. It is also meeting weekly with Helmands new
governor to discuss pertinent issues. The governor and the
PC appear willing to cooperate to improve governance. The
PC has an office in the governors compound where it has
met with many citizens to hear their concerns (primarily
security and government corruption). The PC would like to
be an active participant with the PRT in delivering
humanitarian and/or reconstruction assistance. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU)GETTING KNOWN: PRT POLOFF and the incoming UK PRT
Commander met with the PCs Deputy Chairman, Haji Qurban
Ali Urozgani, to discuss PC activities since mid-December.
During that timeframe, members of the PC have engaged in a
number of trips and activities to become better known.
Several members traveled to Baghni, in the far north of
Helmand. Another group went to Naw Zad. Both these trips
rips
involved PRT-related activities in districts that have had
their share of security incidents.

3.(SBU)In addition to the trips, the PC has been engaged
in a number of key provincial meetings and activities in
and around Lashkar Gah. These include: (1) meeting
parliamentarians; (2) conducting interviews on a local
radio station; (3) discussing poppy eradication with Poppy
Elimination Program (PEP) team members; (4) meeting the
DIAG committee on approaches for encouraging disarmament;
and (5) establishing a weekly dialogue with Governor Daoud.
In addition, PC members participated in other PRT
activities, including the handover of supplies for the
agricultural school and the groundbreaking for a new
madrassa (religious school).

4.(SBU)GOOD START WITH THE GOVERNOR: Urozgani said that
the PC has developed a positive relationship with Helmands
new governor, Engineer Daoud. The PC and the governor meet
weekly; more often if necessary. Separately, Governor
rnor
Daoud said that he fully supported the PC. He asked the PC
to look at provincial government departments and suggest
changes. The governor said that he has asked for PC input
in developing a list of good candidates for provincial
government offices.

5.(SBU)WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: Perhaps not surprisingly,
Urozgani said that many citizens whom the PC meets are
expressing concern about security and government
corruption. Many people generally support the government,
he added, but are disappointed with its lack of
responsiveness to their problems. They are expressing
frustration with the need to pay bribes to get anything
done.

6.(SBU)PC CONCERNED ABOUT OPIUM: The PC is also
concerned about the opium issue. Urozgani said that, while
he was not speaking for the PC, he discussed opium
eradication with PEP team members. He told them that the
situation is very complex. The fact that ACM elements
are coercing poor farmers into cultivating poppy further
rther
complicates the problem. Urozgani said that he supports
poppy eradication, but on a step by step basis, to avoid
impoverishing the poor farmers. He suggested that an
effective method would be to start by eradicating poppy on
land owned by government and elected officials. Another
step would be to eradicate poppy on land currently occupied
illegally. This would add credibility to the governments
eradication efforts. Acknowledging that the provincial
police are corrupt, Urozgani suggested an elite, non-
corrupted law enforcement entity responsible for
eradication. (Note: Eradication in Helmand has often
turned into a police extortion campaign against small
farmers, who are compelled to pay bribes to avoid
eradication and/or jailing. End Note).
7.(SBU)KEEP US IN MIND: Urozgani said that the PC would
like to continue its cooperative relationship with the PRT.
To that end, he suggested that the PRT find ways to include
the PC in humanitarian or reconstruction projects. He said
e said
that this will enhance the PCs credibility.

8.(SBU)COMMENT: Considering the vagueness of the PCs
role and responsibilities, it is off to a positive start.
As its members become more visible at public events and
meet more citizens, the PC is likely to gain additional
credibility. Over the long run, maintaining this
credibility will depend on citizens perceptions that the
PC can serve as a conduit for addressing their concerns.
END COMMENT.

9.(SBU)Dushanbe minimize considered.

NORLAND

RLAND