Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL5771
2006-12-11 01:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
PRT Jalalabad: NEWS FROM TANGI RESETTLEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO1231 RR RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #5771 3450127 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 110127Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4757 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3366 RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KABUL 005771
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A,
NATO/ISAF/AUS/NZ
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
RELEASABLE TO NATO/ISAF
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR KIMMITT
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT Jalalabad: NEWS FROM TANGI RESETTLEMENT
Reftel A) Kabul 4368 B) Kabul 5361
UNCLAS KABUL 005771
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A,
NATO/ISAF/AUS/NZ
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
RELEASABLE TO NATO/ISAF
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR KIMMITT
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT Jalalabad: NEWS FROM TANGI RESETTLEMENT
Reftel A) Kabul 4368 B) Kabul 5361
1. (U) SUMMARY: There was both good and bad news in
the Tangi Returnee settlement this week. It began
with the delivery of the signed letter of intent to
grant the land to the Returnees. The excitement was
dampened at the end of the week when two young members
of the community were gravely injured by a landmine.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) On November 21, Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha
Sherzai finally signed the long awaited letter of
intent to give the land in Tangi to the Kunari
returnees living there. Reftel A describes this
industrious group of former refugees and their efforts
to develop this barren land and to organize a thriving
community over the past year. They are a model of
what a motivated group can accomplish. The signing of
the long promised letter gives the returnees the right
to establish a more permanent settlement, as opposed
to the current temporary camp. The signing had been
repeatedly delayed for a variety of reasons outlined
in Reftel B.
3. (U) The PRT delivered the letter to the settlement
on November 25 as well as explained to the elders of
the village the next steps they should take to improve
their living conditions. The PRT also translated the
letter and gave a copy to the UNHCR. With this letter
from the Nangarhar governor, the PRT, UNHCR, and other
aid organizations can provide assistance for a more
permanent development and for shelter. It should also
help to reduce the threats against the community, as
described in Reftel B. In spite of the profuse thanks
for the efforts of the PRT, the Commander emphasized
that it is the Afghan government and not the PRT that
has made this possible. The role of Deputy Minister
of Refugees and Repatriation Abdul Qadeer Ahadi,
alerted to the Tangi situation by embassy RefCoord on
October 31, was not mentioned but clearly played a
role in moving the resolution forward so quickly.
4. (U) In a tragic turn of events, on December 1, one
young person from the settlement was killed and
another gravely injured by a landmine. The two had
been digging on land near the settlement when they
accidentally detonated a mine. Their family brought
the injured to the PRT. One boy, estimated to be
about 15 years old, was dead by the time he arrived.
A medevac helicopter was called for the second boy,
but the PRT medic determined that he needed immediate
attention if he was to survive, so he was taken to the
Jalalabad Hospital. He did survive, but lost an eye
and has multiple wounds.
5. (SBU) It is well known that there are mines in the
areas around the settlement, and there are mine
clearing operations underway in several spots. These
two young people are related to a girl injured in a
similar incident last year. It is unclear whether
they had been sent to look for items to salvage and
sell or were digging for some other reason.
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A,
NATO/ISAF/AUS/NZ
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
RELEASABLE TO NATO/ISAF
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR KIMMITT
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT Jalalabad: NEWS FROM TANGI RESETTLEMENT
Reftel A) Kabul 4368 B) Kabul 5361
1. (U) SUMMARY: There was both good and bad news in
the Tangi Returnee settlement this week. It began
with the delivery of the signed letter of intent to
grant the land to the Returnees. The excitement was
dampened at the end of the week when two young members
of the community were gravely injured by a landmine.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) On November 21, Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha
Sherzai finally signed the long awaited letter of
intent to give the land in Tangi to the Kunari
returnees living there. Reftel A describes this
industrious group of former refugees and their efforts
to develop this barren land and to organize a thriving
community over the past year. They are a model of
what a motivated group can accomplish. The signing of
the long promised letter gives the returnees the right
to establish a more permanent settlement, as opposed
to the current temporary camp. The signing had been
repeatedly delayed for a variety of reasons outlined
in Reftel B.
3. (U) The PRT delivered the letter to the settlement
on November 25 as well as explained to the elders of
the village the next steps they should take to improve
their living conditions. The PRT also translated the
letter and gave a copy to the UNHCR. With this letter
from the Nangarhar governor, the PRT, UNHCR, and other
aid organizations can provide assistance for a more
permanent development and for shelter. It should also
help to reduce the threats against the community, as
described in Reftel B. In spite of the profuse thanks
for the efforts of the PRT, the Commander emphasized
that it is the Afghan government and not the PRT that
has made this possible. The role of Deputy Minister
of Refugees and Repatriation Abdul Qadeer Ahadi,
alerted to the Tangi situation by embassy RefCoord on
October 31, was not mentioned but clearly played a
role in moving the resolution forward so quickly.
4. (U) In a tragic turn of events, on December 1, one
young person from the settlement was killed and
another gravely injured by a landmine. The two had
been digging on land near the settlement when they
accidentally detonated a mine. Their family brought
the injured to the PRT. One boy, estimated to be
about 15 years old, was dead by the time he arrived.
A medevac helicopter was called for the second boy,
but the PRT medic determined that he needed immediate
attention if he was to survive, so he was taken to the
Jalalabad Hospital. He did survive, but lost an eye
and has multiple wounds.
5. (SBU) It is well known that there are mines in the
areas around the settlement, and there are mine
clearing operations underway in several spots. These
two young people are related to a girl injured in a
similar incident last year. It is unclear whether
they had been sent to look for items to salvage and
sell or were digging for some other reason.