PRT BAMYAN - GOVERNOR SARABI FACES CRITICISM FROM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 005654 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CR, SCA/PAB, G/FO STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR HARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMITT CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, AND POLAD REL TO NATO/AUS/NZ/ISAF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AF SUBJECT: PRT BAMYAN - GOVERNOR SARABI FACES CRITICISM FROM THE OLD GUARD -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) This fall there have been a number of complaints Bamyan about the lack of development activity as well as renewed allegations against Governor Habiba Sarabi. These complaints have spawned visits from two Presidential Advisors and a delegation from the Ministry of Interior (MoI). It appears that the opposition comes from a disaffected, and perhaps politically motivated few. Whatever their motives, the critics have gained the attention of key central government officials. END SUMMARY. -------------- Complaints Against Governor Trigger Visit -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In early September (while the Governor Habiba Sarabi was in Germany for a conference),four shuras and approximately 100 citizens sent a letter to President Karzai requesting a change of Governor. They complained about eight issues, the two most significant of which were a lack of development in Bamyan and smuggling of historic artifacts by the Governor,s committee designated to protect and preserve Bamyan,s cultural heritage. ¶3. (U) Responding to the letter, Presidential Advisors Sharboz Hakimi and Mullah Nader Mahdawi visited Bamyan and held a meeting to &hear the concerns and issues of provincial officials and the local public.8 Mullah Mahdawi gave a passionate opening address on the need for unity and Afghan self-sufficiency. He also encouraged the people to become more active in public life and to object if officials do not carry out their responsibilities or if corruption occurs. When the floor was opened for the public to speak, one individual raised a litany of complaints, mirroring those issues covered in the letter to President Karzai. This was countered by high praise from several individuals, one of whom referred to Governor Sarabi as a woman of the highest personal integrity and a mother-like figure for the province. -------------- Press Used to Further Complaints -------------- ¶4. (U) After Ramazan, another complaint surfaced, this time as an October 30 article in the Hesbi-Wahdati Islami, a ;journal is closely associated with Second Vice-President, and Hesbi-Wahdati party head, Khalili, who is widely believed to have party aspirations for the Bamyan Governor,s office. The article complains that in contrast to past years when provincial officials would welcome the public to their offices, this year the provincial officials abandoned the province to return home for Eid festivities (implying Bamyan officials are predominantly outsiders). The article also charged provincial officials with having done very little for the public. -------------- -------------- MoI Investigation Degenerates into Sandal Throwing -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) On November 7, a MoI delegation of five individuals led by General Adina of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) arrived in Bamyan, informing the ANP Police Chief Sayeed Ackbar that they were in Bamyan to investigate Governor Habiba Sarabi. The Governor received notice of the impending visit only a day in advance and made clear her displeasure. ¶6. (SBU) On the evening of November 8, the MoI delegation went to the local Bamyan mosque "to hear from the Bamyan people.8 According to Police Chief Ackbar, who called an emergency Joint Security Group meeting November 9, emotions at the mosque were heated. Apparently Malawi Wazir Ahmad (a KABUL 00005654 002 OF 002 prominent Sunni Tajik who heads two or three local shuras) complained of four things - a lack of road construction, a lack of distribution of power (energy),no t.v. station, and smuggling of artifacts by the Governor,s cultural preservation committee. ¶7. (SBU) At this point, the governor,s supporters apparently accused Malawi Wazir Ahmad and his supporters of being Taliban and Al Quaeda supporters. A man (allegedly the Governor,s cousin) then threw a sandal at Malawi Wazir Ahmad, which prompted others to follow suit, triggering a sandal fight. At this point the police intervened and removed two vans of individuals and took them to the police station to calm down. -------------- Government Opposition: A Small Mixed Group -------------- ¶8. (SBU) According to Police Chief Ackbar, the anti-government sentiment is coming from a small group of Tajik and Hazaran ex-Mujahadeen. He went on to explain that many of the anti-government supporters believe the Governor and her Deputy have not earned the right to govern since they &abandoned8 Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation. These opponents of the governor have even gone so far as to nominate &replacements in waiting8 for the Governor,s position - Allah Rahmati and Rais Ramatullah are two names frequently mentioned. -------------- Governor Sarabi Writes to Karzai -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Following the sandal throwing incident at the Mosque, Governor Sarabi wrote directly to President Karzai, copying the Minister of Interior. She criticized the MoI delegation for stirring up emotions and causing conflict as well as undermining her authority as the President,s representative. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶10. (SBU) From talking with several officials and hearing the issues raised by the public at various meetings, it appears the complaints represent the opinions of a relatively small group of individuals. According to Police Chief Ackbar and Provincial Council Member Muhsini, Sarabi has, since taking over as Governor in March 2005, steadily gained ground with the Bamyan public and enjoys a relatively high approval rating in Bamyan. The complaints may well represent the frustration of the old guard as it loses ground to the new. ¶11. (SBU) The PRT does not anticipate that the complaints will precipitate action by the central government against the Governor, especially as she enjoys high visability in the international community. The fact that these complaints are receiving attention at the highest levels of the central government is nevertheless worrisome to the Governor and a distraction from her efforts on behalf of the province. NEUMANN