FATA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN UPDATE (12/02/07)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 005140 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID MASS SNAR PK SUBJECT: FATA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN UPDATE (12/02/07) REF: ISLAMABAD 5019 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: We will be advising the Pakistanis on mechanisms to improve civil-military coordination in the FATA. Outcomes in Swat could be a case study for future FATA operations; effective civil affairs follow-up will be needed to consolidate short term security gains by Pak forces and reverse the recent unraveling of government institutions at the district level. Torkham BCC construction continues on track. USAID is planning for a major FATA effort; new staff are arriving to ramp-up the OTI program based in Peshawar. NAS and DEA are moving forward with border enforcement and counter-narcotics training. Codel Bennett and staffers were briefed on our FATA strategies (November 30). END SUMMARY. Encouraging Greater Pak Civil-Military Coordination -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) To enhance prospects for success in support of sustainable FATA development, we are identifying concrete steps - a blueprint - on ways to foster improved coordination among Pakistani civil and military officials. As a first step, Consulate Peshawar will take soundings at the FATA Secretariat and among Pak military officials working in FATA development. The goal is to have a Project Steering Committee mechanism in place to provide general project oversight and promote effective consultation with tribal leaders, NGOs, and Political Agents. Also, ODRP is working to bring a DOD team to Pakistan to develop an approach to improve civil-military coordination. Post-Swat Operations: a Test Case for FATA -------------- ¶3. (SBU) With Pak military sweeps driving insurgents from many of the areas in Swat occupied earlier this year, the government will soon face a need for effective follow-up. The unraveling of Swat governance at the district level in recent years will require a major effort to rebuild civil institutions. Counter-Insurgency experts think that outcomes in Swat will be an instructive case study for future government counter-insurgency lines of operation in the FATA (civil and military). Torkham Border Coordination Center (BCC) -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Construction continues on the BCC, with the base of the perimeter wall complete and one side built to a height of three meters. Well drilling has reached 100 feet, roughly half the required depth. The project foreman and engineers are coordinating with CJTF-82 staff on site. The contractor has agreed to submit design plans for two additional guard towers and a wall that were not part of the original contract. Once CENTCOM approves, foundations for these new features can be poured prior to the onset of winter. USAID FATA Implementation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) USAID continues its preparation for a major FATA program. A contract on Capacity Building will be signed by the end of December. A technical committee has reviewed proposals for Livelihoods programs; short-listed contractors will be asked to submit "best and final" proposals in early January so that agreements can be concluded in February. Two of the five Health project agreements will be amended this month to expand FATA health activities. Under the Ed-Links program, USAID expects its contractor to establish offices and develop work plans before the end of December. USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) -------------- - ¶6. (SBU) Following a productive TDY stint focused on OTI start-up, Galeeb Kachra left Peshawar on November 30. He confirmed that both IOM and Creative Associates (Implementing Partners) are working out of temporary office space in Peshawar while negotiations continue on permanent space and housing. OTI will participate in interviews of partners' key program staff; IOM and Creative expect to interact with the FATA Agency Development Advisor who will be co-located with the Political Agents. The OTI component of the FATA Development Program will be known formally as FATA Development Program-Government to Community (FDP-GC) and will use a modified version of the NWFP logo and the FDP-GC initials. There will be no use of USG or Partner "branding" on OTI projects. NAS Border Enforcement Training -------------- ¶7. (SBU) We welcome Glen Sapp, a new member of the mission team who will work as a border enforcement trainer. He has a strong ISLAMABAD 00005140 002 OF 002 background in law enforcement and worked recently in Jordan at the Iraqi police training facility. DEA Training Projects -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is conducting a precursor chemical safety course for personnel of the Anti Narcotics Force and Frontier Corps, December 15-17 Training will be held at the FIA Academy in Islamabad and will focus on precursor chemical identification and safe handling practices. Participants will receive kits with equipment needed to process precursor chemical seizures safely. Codel Briefings on FATA -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Country Team briefings (Nov 30) provided Codel Bennett (Utah) with background on our FATA strategy and mission objectives on FATA development and security. Codel also included Sen. Corker (TN),Rep. Dreier (CA),Rep. Issa (CA),and Rep. Wilson (SC). Separate briefings for accompanying codel staffers included a FATA update. PATTERSON