PRT/LASHKAR GAH - POPPY ERADICATION:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000963

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
RELEASABLE TO NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF

STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CR, SA/PAB, S/CT,
EUR/RPM, INL
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL PGOV PTER AF
SUBJECT: PRT/LASHKAR GAH - POPPY ERADICATION:
GOVERNOR CONCERNED OVER SECURITY, LOGISTICS, AND
STABILITY

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Helmand Governor Daud told
visiting Combined Forces Command/Afghanistan Deputy
Commanding General (DCG) Major General Wilson on
March 4th that he is concerned over eradication
security and the apparent lack of provisions for the
Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National
Police (ANP). On the political front, the Governor
is worried that the Taliban may use the eradication
campaign to sow more hostility towards the
provincial government. General Wilson advised the
Governor to take a "sure and safe" approach to
eradication to avoid upsetting the balance of
security in the province. END SUMMARY.

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SECURITY
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2. (SBU) As he has done on numerous occasions,
Governor Daud expressed concern over the security
situation. Specifically, the logistics for the ANA
and the ANP do not appear to be in place, thus
limiting their utility. He noted especially the
lack of ammunition for the police. The Governor
said that as many of the local police used their own
weapons and these were not registered ANP weapons,
the MOI was not supplying ammunition. The Interior
Minister had agreed to do so, but Daud stated that
bureaucracy was preventing the actual supply. The
ANP sent from Kabul had arrived by bus and lacked
transport, fuel, and food. Other ANA located around
the Sangin area are tied down because of recurring
attacks. In addition to the logistics problems,
Provincial officials, with CFC-A assistance, only
began setting up the Joint Command Center on March

5.


3. (SBU) The Governor also expressed concern about
the 500 "auxiliary" ANP that he intends to use for
the eradication campaign. He concluded that he must
keep 200 in Lashkar Gah as a quick reaction force.
While the Governor claimed that they are
"registered," he also noted that they are untrained.
The Governor is also concerned about the financial
picture, noting that he has not been given
additional funds to support this force. General
Wilson agreed with the Governor that the situation
is not satisfactory
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STABILITY
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4. (SBU) On the political front, Governor Daud
expressed concern that the Taliban will take
advantage of the eradication campaign to convince
people to oppose the government. The Governor said
that many farmers whose fields are eradicated will
be angry. They have expectations that help, in the
form of alternative livelihoods, will follow
eradication. If that does not materialize, there
will likely be increased support for the Taliban,
which could be a destabilizing factor. The Governor
said that, with the security factors and the limited
government capacity, the eradication campaign "will

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be very difficult." On the positive side, the
Governor stated that, if the eradication campaign is
successful, it will be a sign of the Government of
Afghanistan's ability to extend its influence and
lead to a more stable Helmand.

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MEASURED APPROACH
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5. (SBU) Governor Daud said that, regarding
eradication, he is under pressure from many
directions, including the MOI, the Ministry of
Counternarcotics, and the US and UK embassies. He
is determined to move ahead, noting that there must
be a "strong effort," to show the people that there
is governance and rule of law in Helmand province.


6. (SBU) General Wilson advised the Governor to
take a steady and safe approach. The DCG noted
that, if he assessed that security might seriously
deteriorate, it might be advisable to adjust the
eradication plan. He urged the Governor not to
place too much public emphasis on a particular
target; nor should the Governor feel pressurized to
reach a particular target as he should be the one to
judge how fast and far to push.

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COMMENT
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7. (SBU) While the US-led Afghan Eradication Force
is in place and ready to go, it appears that pulling
the logistics together for the security forces is a
major challenge. The Governor is walking a
difficult line on the eradication campaign.
Security is fragile - in Sangin, for example, where
the district chief was murdered on March 3, there is
virtually no government control. Whether the
eradication campaign will add or detract from
provincial governance remains an open question.

NEUMANN