PRT Farah: Iranian Assistance Plans for Farah Province

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KABUL 005235 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA/FO, SA/A, S/CR, NSC FOR HARRIMAN USNATO FOR AMBASSADOR NULAND CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 REL TO NATO/ISAF/AUS/NZ SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID ASEC PREL AF IR SUBJECT: PRT Farah: Iranian Assistance Plans for Farah Province REF: Kabul 3090 KABUL 00005235 001.3 OF 004 ¶1. (SBU) Iran has traditionally taken an interest in western Afghanistan as an important sphere of influence and, historically, Iranians have regarded part of western Afghanistan as an extension of Iranian territory. Recent Iranian negotiations with Farah provincial government officials show the extent of Iran's continuing interest across its border and its desire to extend inroads to Farah Province. ¶2. (SBU) Former Farah Provincial Governor Isatullah Wasifi traveled to Iran and, just before his recall to Kabul August 20, welcomed a delegation from Iran in August to discuss details of previous meetings and even more comprehensive agreements (see texts below). The Iranian delegation, which included several engineers, departed Farah August 12 after promising Wasifi to soon start a new vocational school (on land near the PRT compound) and repairs on and supplies for a clinic or construction of a new provincial hospital. They also endorsed providing Farah Province with an electrical grid which should, Wasifi said, bring electricity to most districts. After the visit, Wasifi confirmed Iranian plans to build a new legal border crossing, probably at Mile 78 (which Wasifi said the Foreign Ministry had approved) and pave a road from that crossing to Farah City. A legal border in Farah would shorten the route from southeastern Iran to the Ring Road and on to Kandahar and Kabul from the current distance through Herat Province. It would also divert much revenue now collected by officials in Herat to Farah. ¶3. (SBU) Background on the Meetings: In July, then-Deputy Governor Haji Juma Khan Ghamkhor indicated that no practical steps had been put forward for implementation of the agreements made between the two governments in January (see below) regarding some rehabilitation activities in Farah. The agreements are mainly in two phases -- the first phase was accomplished when then-Governor Wasifi traveled to Iran and the second phase refers to agreements obtained at a more senior level during President Karzai's trip to Iran in May. The Iranian delegation trip to Farah in August seemed to seal the deals. ¶4. (SBU) Farah Provincial officials received a letter from Iranian officials inviting them to attend a meeting on August 2 at the Afghan-Iranian border to discuss implementation of a number of these agreements. Talks primarily focused on the following: paving the road from Mile 78 (where there would be a new legal border crossing established) to Farah City (135 km),providing electrical power through 132 KW power to Farah, extending a gas pipeline from Iran, constructing a vocational school at a total cost of one million dollars, and constructing an equipped health clinic. There is still no clear date for when these projects and other important projects agreed upon at the presidential level would be started. Officials expect an increase in Iranian presence once the projects are launched. ¶5. (SBU) Background Documents - January 2006 (obtained by PRT Farah) (Unofficial Translations) ¶A. General Protocol: Signed agreements between (former) Afghan Provincial Governor Isatullah Wasifi and Governor of Southern Khorasan (Iran) Said Solat Mortazawai: The following is a formal protocol between South Khorasan Province of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Farah Province of Afghanistan. In accordance with an official invitation issued by Mr. Mortise, Governor of Southern Khorasan, Mr. Isatullah Wasifi, Governor of Farah and his delegation of nine people including Heads of the Departments of Economy, Agriculture and Education spent one week in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dated 29-9-1384 (Afghan Calendar) This trip was divided into two parts. The first portion was an KABUL 00005235 002.3 OF 004 unofficial trip by Governor Wasifi to the City of Mashad. The second portion was official during which Governor Wasifi visited the city of Birjand, in the center of southern Khorasan Province. The Farah delegation met with Iranian officials in four official meetings. They also visited the Departments of Education, Economics, Agriculture, and Culture in Birjand and the city of Sarbesha. The delegation toured the international border between Afghanistan and Iran between Mile 73 and Mile 75 and saw a small shopping center. During the visit to the border, Governor Wasifi spoke with Afghans and Iranians. Due to the large size of the delegation, the principal commission was broken into two subgroups to discuss 1) Economics and Agriculture and 2) Culture and Education. Each group met three times. The results are included in the appendix of this protocol and it was signed by commission members. The purpose of the trip was to analyze the potential of each province to work together in accordance to each government's policies. General cooperation discussed: Customs and border security Roads Education cooperation including higher education Economic and mine projects Agriculture and irrigation projects Electric power Medical facilities and treatment Culture and arts projects Iran insists on cooperation between border patrols against narcotics trafficking, smuggling, and security to improve progress between Farah and Iran. Both Governors agreed to discuss all issues and supporting material with their respective central governments to enable them to cooperate according to legal statutes. Finally, both governors are ready to implement actions to rebuild Farah as soon as possible. Signed by: Governor of South Khorasan Governor of Farah Said Solat Mortazawai Isatullah Wasifi ¶B. Economic Commission Protocol: The following are meeting notes of discussions between South Khorasan Province of Iran and Farah Province of Afghanistan: In a meeting on (month) 10 (year) 84 (day) 4 of the Economic Commission delegates of Farah Province of Afghanistan and Birjand City South Khorasan of Iran discussed these items with the anticipation of action after formal agreement between countries is concluded: The Farah's governor's request to build a road and open a customs station on Mile 75 or Dukohana Road will be honored. A border control point along Mile 73 was nominated in a previous international agreement and Iranian officials insist the issue be revisited by Afghanistan's central government for final adjudication. Building a 132 kilowatt power plant and transferring the electricity to Farah Building four medical clinics in Farah Digging 100 wells in Farah Building 100 kilometers of village roads (unspecified name listed: Shosa) Building of a fuel and shopping center in Farah A scholarship program will be created to send 100 Afghan students (in four groups) to South Khorasan to learn animal husbandry and agricultural farming in the year 85. Participants will attend the Jihad Agricultural Research and Education Center in South Khorasan. The GOA will provide names of those to be trained. Creation of an Agriculture Research Center on 50 hectares of farm KABUL 00005235 003.3 OF 004 land in a suburb of Farah City by Iranians after Afghans send proposals to them. Farah will extend an invitation to Iranian professionals from the Jihad Agriculture and Irrigation Center in South Khorasan to visit Farah and conduct analysis and research. Iran will provide water and electricity to a shopping center on the Afghan side of the border. This will be accomplished after a formal request for service has been made through the Iranian Ministry of Power by shopping center authorities. Creation and rehabilitation of forests in Farah by Iran. Private Iranian investors will build a cement factory in Farah. Farah must first request and receive permission to sell the cement in Farah. The Department of Economics and Mining of South Khorasan agrees to research and study mining in Farah if agreed upon by the Afghan central government. Birjand municipality agrees to complete a road project of 20 km of pavement inside the City of Farah. This will be accomplished after Farah provides an official request. A formal invitation was extended by the Mayor of Farah to the Mayor of Birjand to analyze the needs of Farah and provide professional advice. If accepted they will collaborate on unspecified projects. An economic and trade exposition will be requested from the Mayor of Farah and conditions agreed upon. Farah and Birjand agree to create a combined business committee to increase cooperation and solve mutual problems. The committee will include the provincial Economic Department chairmen and will hold a meeting every six months. Farah and South Khorasan agree to further discussions regarding importation taxes from shopping centers along the border. Farah and Berjand agree to improve communications and conduct professional analysis of this agreement. Signed by: Mohammad Gamphor Base Solaimany Deputy Governor of Farah Deputy of XXX (unreadable) ¶C. Culture and Education Protocol This is a synopsis of the discussions of the Culture and Education Commission which met from 3-5pm for two days during the Governor of Farah's trip to Berjand. The group consisted of representatives from the Province of South Khorasan, Islamic Republic of Iran, and Farah Province of Afghanistan. Dated 5-10-84. Commission participants: From Iran: Mr. Mohammad Baqer Kamelay (Head of Culture and Head of Education Departments of South Khorasan,) Mr. Qasem Qanbarey (Head of TV and Radio Department of South Khorasan Province) Hussain Afzaleyan (Head of Culture and Islamic Education, South Khorasan Province) Korosh Rosta (Deputy of Free Islamic College in Berjand) From Afghanistan: ¶1. Haji Juma Ghamkhor (Deputy Governor of Farah) ¶2. Mr. Atiqulla (Head of Education Department) ¶3. Mr. Mokthar Raheb Zakeray (Farah Administrative Officer) Items of Discussion: Whatever Afghanistan requests, Iranians are prepared to help. 1) Education materials i.e. computers to create a positive educational environment 2) Transportation for students 3) Creation of vocational training center 4) Scholarship for Farah high school students to attend South KABUL 00005235 004.3 OF 004 Khorasan Provincial College 5) Training programs for school teachers 6) A scholarship program for higher education 7) Radio and television equipment 8) Press equipment 9) (Number skipped) 10) Medicine and medical equipment for clinics and hospitals The Khorasan delegation accepted Farah's requests and is ready to offer help in these areas: Afghan students will be accepted in medicine, religion, teaching, and art programs Khorasan will send teachers to Farah Khorasan will write and print school books for Farah Create film and TV serials for Farah TV after discussion with radio and TV of Iran. They will send scientific papers from South Khorasan to Farah. Ready to cooperate with news between the two provinces Ready to show culture and art cooperation between the two provinces. Also send some reference books for research and cultural center regarding education and history. They will create a group of people to learn about Afghanistan from Berjand College. Signed by: Articula Mr. Mohammed Baqer Kamelay Department of Education, Farah Head of Education and Culture Department, South Khorasan Province End text of agreements. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: With Farah's lack of economic opportunities and the drought so negatively affecting most farmers in this agricultural province, more and more men are traveling to Iran for work and more are taking their families with them to stay there. There are fewer refugee returns now, as Afghan families remain in Iran to survive economically. Iranians do not live in Farah's towns and villages; there is nothing for them here. None of these projects has been developed beyond the pledge stage. Whether this lack of visible activity is due to Wasifi's departure from Farah is unknown. A new governor arrived in Farah on October 8, and it remains to be seen what actions he will take to follow-up on Wasifi's agreements with the Iranians. ¶7. (SBU) Comment continued: Iran's assistance overtures are not unwelcome here. The agreements highlight Farah Province's development needs -- Farah Province suffers from a lack of attention from the GOA and has not been a focus province for foreign donors. Iranian attention and prospective willingness to spend money for long-term development projects to improve the quality of life for Farah residents, even though Iranian influence will increase, are not to be ignored or dismissed. The dilemma is whether the U.S. ISAF PRT, seeing the need particularly for more roads and an electrical grid, should spend time and money on any of these development requirements. U.S. PRT civil-military affairs (CMOC) in Herat would like to consider an electric grid (USD 6-8 million) or possible road work, but due to the Iranian "commitments" have not put in the time or effort. Such U.S. projects would likely compete with, rather than complement, what the Iranians intend to do. PRT CMOC is therefore hesitant to begin such projects. End Comment. NEUMANN