PRT/HELMAND: NEW HELMAND GOVERNOR PLEDGES

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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