Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL5654
2006-12-03 07:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

PRT BAMYAN - GOVERNOR SARABI FACES CRITICISM FROM

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4687
OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #5654/01 3370719
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030719Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4368
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
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
-------

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