PRT/HELMAND: NEW HELMAND GOVERNOR PLEDGES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 000462 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB MQUINN),SA/A, S/CR, SA/PAB, S/CT, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND OSD FOR BREZINSKI CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER SNAR AF SUBJECT: PRT/HELMAND: NEW HELMAND GOVERNOR PLEDGES IMPROVEMENTS 1.(SBU)SUMMARY: Helmand Provinces new governor, Engineer Daoud, told PRTOFF on January 24 that he he will address corruption, security, and narcotics. Lack of government capacity is a major constraint. Most citizens support the government, but feel disconnected due to corrupt officials. The opium problem can be solved with a balanced and gradual approach. The Provincial Council is a useful body and will serve as a good bridge between citizens and the provincial government. END SUMMARY. 2.(SBU)Governor Daoud, who succeeded Shir Mohammed in mid-December, said that he had been very comfortable in his advisory role in Kabul in the National Security Council. He had had no ambitions to be Helmands governor. However, President Karzai prevailed upon him to take on the assignment. The President said that he wanted Daoud to improve provincial administration and to ensure a smooth transition as the British take over security and reconstruction efforts in Helmand Province. 3.(SBU)Governor Daoud previously served under National Security Director Dr. Rassoul. (Embassy mbassy Note: He was our main contact on detainee and reconciliation issues. End Embassy Note.) He also has worked for non-governmental organizations and humanitarian projects under UN auspices. He described himself as an Arab/Pashtun, which he said is a small ethnic minority, consisting of probably no more than 10 to 15 families. Helmand is a tribal-centric province; the Governor said that his lack of tribal affiliation is an advantage, giving him an opportunity to serve as an honest broker between other tribes. Governor Daoud was born and raised in Gereshk, Helmands second largest city. His spoken English is near fluent. 4.(SBU)HELMANDS MAJOR THREAT IS FROM WITHIN: Governor Daoud said that, while the security situation in the province is difficult, the greater, long-run problem is governance. Capacity among the provincial government departments is very weak. The lack of capacity, along with rampant corruption, are two major impediments to improving improving governance in the province, and are causing many of Helmands citizens to feel disconnected from the government. Specifically, he cited corruption allegations concerning the chief of the provincial police and the Lashkar Gah (Helmands provincial capital) mayor for their corrupt land dealings. On the bright side, most citizens support the government in a general sense. It is up to the provincial government to work for the people to prevent them from going over to our enemies. 5.(SBU)Governor Daoud has already been active, despite his short tenure. He directed the police to arrest eleven (11) individuals accused of taking bribes on behalf of provincial officials. They are in jail while the case is investigated. The Governor said that the investigation could lead to further arrests, including of local officials. Within the past several weeks, Daoud has replaced the provincial agriculture director, the Sangin district chief and the Garmser police chief. hief. 6.(SBU)The Governor said that he will improve governance in the province, although he cautioned that it would take time. The problems are deep and must be resolved on a step by step basis. The Governor noted that if he removed every corrupt provincial official, there would not be many offices open. 7.(SBU)OPIUM NEED A BALANCED APPROACH: The Governor acknowledged that opium is a major problem. Drugs are at the root of much of the violence in the province. The Governor said that his view was to take a balanced approach, addressing cultivation, smugglers and markets. He suggested an aggressive approach in Baram Cha (the area along the southern Helmand border with Pakistan),including military operations to address smuggling and production of opium and heroin. The Governor also advocated the arrest of smugglers, especially those who are more significant. He admitted that this would be difficult, since the provincial police are both corrupt and inept, and would like to see an elite, elite, independent force to engage smugglers. The Governor said that it might be possible to build on the current counter-narcotics police unit. 8.(SBU)Concerning cultivation, Governor Daoud said that eradication must be a part of any counter- narcotics program. Again, a dedicated, non-corrupt force is necessary if any eradication program is to be successful. A key component is to convince the small farmers not to cultivate poppy. This should be done through appealing to Islamic principles, implementing alternative livelihoods and law enforcement. The Governor said that his idea was to focus eradication efforts on larger planters (including government officials) to set an example and demonstrate to small farmers that they should cease poppy cultivation. The Governor said that he did not advocate immediate and complete eradication of the fields of small, poor farmers; this would further impoverish the countryside and alienate ordinary citizens. 9.(SBU)Governor Daoud said that, in the long ong run, alternative livelihoods was the key to success. Many farmers have told him that they had been waiting years for some assistance, such as repairing irrigation canals and alternative cash crops. The Governor said that he hoped that USAIDs alternative livelihoods program would address these needs. He also plans to appeal to other international donors for additional assistance. Daoud said that there is no reason that one day Helmand cannot return to its standing as the leading agricultural province in Afghanistan. 10.(SBU)PROVINCIAL COUNCIL A POSITIVE INFLUENCE: The Governor said that he fully supports the Provincial Council and would facilitate their ability to act as a bridge between citizens and the provincial government. They meet weekly and have an office within the Governors compound. Daoud said that he has asked the Provincial Council to visit various provincial offices and suggest improvements or point out corrupt practices. He has also asked the Council to uncil to provide him a list agreed to by all the members, of potentially qualified people for positions in provincial officers. 11.(SBU)COMMENT: Compared to Helmands previous governor, Daoud has a vision of where he wants to take Helmand Province. His open mindedness concerning the Provincial Council is also encouraging. He faces an uphill struggle for just the reasons he outlined endemic corruption, little capacity/human capital and a provincial economy essentially based on opium cultivation and production. While the Governor presents himself as a neutral player in this province dominated by tribal loyalties, he will face challenges as he navigates the many tribal-based issues. Strong support and patience will be required in one of Afghanistans most difficult provinces. END COMMENT. 12.(U)Dushanbe minimize considered. NORLAND RLAND