PRT Jalalabad: NEWS FROM TANGI RESETTLEMENT

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.