PAG UPDATE:AUG 23 MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003824

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CRS, SCA/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: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC MARR AF
SUBJECT: PAG UPDATE:AUG 23 MEETING

REF: KABUL 3719

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Norland for reasons 1.4
(B) and (D).


1. (C) The full Policy Action Group (PAG) met August 23.


2. (C) Key view points and topics of discussion raised were:

-- The Security Operations Group (SOG) has begun producing
joint daily reports on the security situation. Defense
Minister Wardak reported that the implementation and
coordination team (IACT) would conduct inspections of the
ANA/ANP in the provinces.

-- Consideration of MOI's auxiliary police plan was tabled
until discussed in the SOG.

-- The development group is collecting information on the
delivery of current reconstruction and development projects
in the four provinces. They also intend to work closely with
governors and key provincial and district leaders to
determine local priorities.

-- Education Minister Atmar asked for more security
cooperation with the development group, noting that 60
percent (267) of the schools were closed in the four southern
provinces. General Richards explained that ISAF can not
provide security in all areas, but would focus on the Afghan
Development Zones (ADZs) and expand outward.

-- Atmar also recommended provincial development centers be
established to help governors, the local provincial
development committees and key international players to
coordinate on development efforts. He argued that providing
two capable employees to each of the four governors would
significantly improve capacity.

-- Finance Minister Ahady once again asked (reftel) if the
international community would reduce regulations on
procurement and Afghanistan's use of international funds to
allow quick delivery of projects during this crisis period.
The Ambassador asked that we deal with the emergency first,
determine what projects already exist and how much extra
money is available, rather than dealing with &cosmic8
questions effecting national policy.

-- NDS Chief Saleh said that weekly meetings of all
intelligence actors would not be practicable, and the PAG
Intel group would instead develop an around the clock fusion
center to maximize information sharing between the GOA, ISAF
J2 and the provincial offices.

-- The Strategic Communications Groups (SCG) provided its
first report to the full PAG. The SCG called for all
provincial governments and ministries to hire spokesmen. The
spokesmen should coordinate with each other, the press and
local leaders. Minister of Communication Farhang said the
lack of spokesmen and open communication with the press has
been a major problem for the GOA. The SCG is not yet fully
functional; some ministries have neglected to send
representatives to meetings.

-- Minister of Public Health Dr. Said Mohammad Amin Fatami
announced the government's intention to launch a polio
vaccination campaign in the four southern provinces and Farah
where polio outbreaks have been reported. President Karzai
has designated polio a major GOA concern. Security for the
vaccination teams and Taliban propaganda ) calling the

KABUL 00003824 002 OF 002


vaccine un-Islamic ) are key challenges.

-- Rasoul asked PAG members to bring their thoughts about a
structure for provincial PAGs to the next meeting. The need
for a provincial structure to enhance local coordination, as
the PAG has in Kabul, was generally agreed upon.
NEUMANN