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