PRT LASHKAR GAH: ENSURING STABILITY IN BABAJI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001315

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CRS, SA/PB, S/CT,
EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC MARR AF
SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH: ENSURING STABILITY IN BABAJI


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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) On March 22, Afghan National Security Forces, with
ISAF support, initiated an operation that cleared a Taliban
enclave close to the provincial center of Lashkar Gah (the
"Babaji region"). Following the operation, local Afghans
expressed what the Helmand Task Force and PRT generally take
as genuine support for the Government of Afghanistan (GOA)
and ISAF. This is backed by reports of a proclamation of
support from a local shura. The Afghan National Army (ANA)
was well received by the local populace, while the Afghan
National Police (ANP) force was accused of various forms of
predation. Locals did not report a humanitarian crisis after
the operation; rather, they offered a familiar wish list of
reconstruction projects (road, school and clinic
construction). Bringing lasting stability to the Babaji
region would create a contiguous development zone consisting
largely of the two districts of Lashkar Gah and Nahri Sarraj.
Establishing a legitimate and sustainable security
environment, however, will prove a challenge, given the
limitations of the ANP. It is imperative that the GOA, with
PRT assistance, swiftly introduce reconstruction projects
into the area and also show a more positive GOA face than
that of the local ANP. To that end, the PRT is working with
the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development to
quickly deliver select projects, including road
reconstruction. END SUMMARY

Winning Consent After "Babaji" Operation
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2. (SBU) On March 22, Afghan National Security Forces
(ANSF),with assistance from ISAF, launched an operation in
an area some ten kilometers from the provincial seat of
Lashkar Gah, described as the "Babaji region" after one of
the villages in the area. This operation, according to ISAF,
was designed to put pressure on Taliban extremists, foreign
fighters, and their narco-trafficking criminal associates who
have operated within the general population in communities
north of Lashkar Gah. Having forced Taliban elements out of
the area, the Government of Afghanistan (GOA),ISAF and the
PRT have undertaken to stabilize the area and secure the
support of the populace.

Locals Claim and Proclaim Support for the GOA
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3. (SBU) Not surprisingly, in the aftermath of an operation
displacing Taliban elements, elders from the Babaji region
have proclaimed their support for the GOA in recent meetings
with Helmand Task Force (HTF) and PRT representatives. HTF
recon teams that visited the area following the operation
also report that local Afghans in the area expressed support
for the GOA and ISAF, which they deemed generally genuine,
despite their general propensity to agree with whatever
forces are in control. More unusual is the report from local
Afghan sources of similar sentiments proclaimed in an
Afghan-only shura on March 31, when an estimated 500 tribal
and religious elders from the area met to discuss the recent
operation and its implications. They apparently took note of
the fact that locals (in particular women and children) and
their property have suffered significantly whenever the GOA
and the Taliban clash. Those assembled decided and declared
that anyone whose son or brother had joined the Taliban
should convince him to renounce and return to live a normal
life. Failure to renounce would lead to the local Taliban
being forcibly expelled from the village, and any house
associated with anti-GOA or pro-Taliban activity in the
region would be burned.

It's Not Humanitarian Assistance They Need Most...
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KABUL 00001315 002 OF 002




4. (SBU) Despite the elders' references in the March 29
meeting to losses to persons and property from GOA-Taliban
fighting, in meetings with the PRT and provincial officials
and in HTF recon trips, locals failed to note any
humanitarian concerns or battle damage stemming from the
operation. Rather, they have pointed to a familiar list of
reconstruction projects, e.g., road reconstruction, canal
cleaning, and school and clinic construction.
... But a Government That Will Not Mistreat or Ignore Them
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5. (SBU) In meetings with HTF and PRT representatives, local
elders have complained about the activities of the Afghan
National Police (ANP) following the operation. They have
reported illegal searches, looting, and other instances of
intimidation and abuse. Many locals in the area have heaped
praise on the Afghan National Army (ANA) and scorn on the
ANP. Local concerns undoubtedly have been heightened by the
departure of the more-trusted ANA from the area. The
provincial Police Chief has acknowledged these allegations
and promised to investigate. Another potential problem is
the provincial director of the Ministry of Rural
Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD),who elders say is
unwilling to assist them, as they claim he is pro-Taliban
(the director has held the position for roughly the last ten
years).

COMMENT
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6. (SBU) A stable and secure "Babaji region" will result in
the linkage of two key areas of the Helmand "Aghan
Development Zone," i.e., the districts of Lashkar Gah and
Nahri Sarraj into one contiguous area. The positive
reception and perception of the GOA and ISAF can only be
maintained and reinforced if the GOA can provide effective
and legitimate security, which has proven difficult given
apparent ANP misdeeds. The HTF and PRT have increasingly
raised the possibility of mentoring for ANP in the area,
along the lines of that provided to the ANA. There are no
quick fixes for the ANP, however, so it is imperative that
tangible reconstruction and development projects be
implemented soon. In addition, given that the ANP is often
the only face of the GOA presented in districts, it is
likewise important that other provincial institutions play a
role in ensuring stability in the area. The PRT is looking
to establish regular contacts in the area to manage local
expectations and also at ways to initiate select
reconstruction projects swiftly, such as road reconstruction.
The PRT has noted some positive responses from MRRD in
pursuing reconstruction projects, which could introduce
another positive GOA actor into locals' lives.

WOOD