LAGHMAN'S AGGRESSIVE ERADICATION EFFORT LACKS ANA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001569 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-82 POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EAID MARR AF SUBJECT: LAGHMAN'S AGGRESSIVE ERADICATION EFFORT LACKS ANA SUPPORT Classified By: POLCOUNS Sara Rosenberry for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. Laghman province has eradicated more than 60 times as much poppy this year compared to 2006, but ANP eradication missions are encountering increased resistance. Two ANP officers were killed in a clash on April 18. Governor Mangal has repeatedly requested increased support from the ANA to assist the ANP when they face attacks from more heavily armed opposition, but ANA support has been lacking. The PRT is taking steps to enhance planning and coordination between Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) as the end of the eradication season draws near, but coordination effects are unlikely to take hold this year. End Summary. Eradication Success but Violent Opposition Increasing -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Governor Gulab Mangal and the ANP have pressed hard since January 2007 to eradicate all poppy cultivation in Laghman. On April 17, Governor Mangal reported that ANP eradication missions have destroyed more than 500 hectares (approximately 70 percent) of Laghman's 2006 estimated 710 hectare poppy crop, and he anticipated eliminating most of the remaining crop. (Note: ANP Chief of Police Abdul Kariem Omaryar estimated that the ANP had eradicated 3,600 jeribs (or 720 hectares) as of April 25. UNODC's May 6 report of verified eradication indicated 544 hectares of eradication in Laghman so far this year (vice 9 hectares in 2006). End Note.) Laghman qualified for USD 150,000 from the Good Performers Fund since the province had a verified total of less than 1,000 hectares of poppy cultivation in 2006. Governor Mangal was eager to obtain the additional USD 350,000 in development projects offered by the fund for provinces that eliminate their entire poppy crop this year. ¶3. (C) Governor Mangal speaks out frequently against poppy-growing on the radio and whenever he visits provincial villages or conducts shuras of village elders in Mehtarlam City. His message is that poppy cultivation is illegal, the government will destroy poppy where it is found, and the government will provide development assistance to communities that relinquish growing the plant. Mangal told PRToff that despite his anti-poppy information campaign and development incentives, some will grow poppy regardless of incentives like development assistance. ANP Chief Omaryar added that while some farmers grow poppy to supplement their incomes, many cultivate poppy as their main crop (particularly in the Sangar and Saw valleys in Alingar district) and are willing to accept protection from anti-government elements for their crops. For these reasons, both agreed early in 2007 to attack poppy cultivation aggressively. ¶4. (C) Laghman ANP eradication efforts in remote areas have encountered increased resistance on at least two recent occasions. On April 8, an eradication mission in the Sangar valley area of eastern Alingar district came under rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire attack from unknown assailants. The exchange of fire lasted over two hours but there were no casualties or damage reported. (Note: Governor Mangal was present for the operation to show leadership support but escaped injury during the attack. End Note.) On April 18, two ANP officers, including the executive officer for highway operations, were killed during an attack on a poppy eradication mission near the village of Ambeer in eastern Qarghayi district. The ANP face increasing vulnerability as they operate in remoter areas of KABUL 00001569 002 OF 002 Laghman and Governor Mangal pushes hard to eliminate as much poppy as possible before harvesting comes to an end in late May/early June. Where's the ANA? -------------- ¶5. (C) Governor Mangal has repeatedly requested additional ANA support to counter the threat of attack from longer range RPG and heavy machine guns (such as PKMs and RPKs) directed at eradication operations on valley floors from ridge-line locations. Despite Mangal's appeals for ANA support and encouragement from coalition force mentors, the ANA continues to disappoint. In the April 8 attack, the ANA responded late to Governor Mangal's appeals for assistance and then fought ineffectively to retake higher positions occupied by the attackers. On April 18, the ANA failed to deploy with the ANP and only went out with a PRT Quick Reaction Force (QRF) as part of a show of force after the attack. ANP Chief Omaryar reported that there was little the ANP could do to fight back against the RPG fire coming from the ridge-line that killed his officers. ¶6. (C) The PRT attempted to facilitate coordination on eradication operations at a meeting between the ANP and ANA on April 21. The ANP shared information on locations for operations during the upcoming week, and the ANA agreed to plan and provide forces for these missions. ANP Chief Omaryar informed the group that remaining operations would focus on the Sangar and Saw valleys in Alingar district, a return to Ambeer in eastern Qarghayi district, and the Galoch area in western Qarghayi and provided map coordinates for these operations. On April 25, Omaryar reported to PRToff that the ANA had failed to follow-up on mission planning and did not roll with the ANP during an eradication mission conducted in Ambeer the previous day. Omaryar stated he did not expect cooperation from the ANA, had reported their lack of support to his MOI chain of command, and the ANP would continue to push eradication without ANA protection. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Governor Mangal and ANP Chief Omaryar have been forceful and committed in attacking poppy cultivation and have put their personal safety on the line by going out to eradication sites. Provincial government estimates of poppy eradication hectarage totals are likely overly optimistic, but there is a good chance Laghman could eliminate at least 90 percent of last year's cultivation total. The ANP could have done even more in remaining cultivation areas, but the ANA "big brother" has been missing in action when there was a critical need. There is enough blame to go around; planning officers in both the ANP and the ANA simply need to meet and share information on eradication missions far enough in advance to make it work. It may be too late to foster the necessary teamwork in the remaining time left in this year's eradication campaign. However, the progress achieved in Laghman without ANP/ANA coordination highlights the importance of getting it right before the next campaign. WOOD