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

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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
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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

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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