PAG TO DISCUSS COUNTERNARCOTICS IN THE SOUTH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002137

SIPDIS

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 CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2017
TAGS: MARR SNAR PTER MOPS NATO AF
SUBJECT: PAG TO DISCUSS COUNTERNARCOTICS IN THE SOUTH


Classified By: A/DCM Carol Rodley; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (S/REL ISAF) Summary: At a June 28 Policy Action Group
(PAG) meeting chaired by Afghan NSA Rassoul, COMISAF GEN
McNeill urged the GoA and international community to do more
to address the growing narcotics problem in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Wood proposed that the PAG meet in three weeks to
discuss counternarcotics issues in the South. The PAG
agreed. Addressing other agenda items, Dutch DCM Stassen
reported that a Dutch team was going to Chora (Uruzgan
province) to investigate reports of civilian deaths/damage
from the fighting there in June, and would make a report. A
representative from the National Directorate of Security
(NDS) gave a general security assessment of the South and
East, saying that the insurgents are attempting to expand
their activities in areas where there have been fewer
security problems. COMISAF emphasized that the main thing
needed from the international community at this time is
support for the MOI and the ANP. End Summary.

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COUNTERNARCOTICS
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2. (S/REL ISAF) At a June 28 Policy Action Group (PAG)
chaired by Afghan NSA Zalmai Rassoul, COMISAF GEN McNeill
urged the GoA and international community to do more to
address the growing narcotics problem in Afghanistan.
COMISAF argued that everything that we seek to accomplish in
Afghanistan is undermined by illicit poppy production and
trafficking. He said that there is no question of there
being a nexus between the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan
and the insurgency. COMISAF observed that "ISAF is not an
eradication force," and does not want to become one.
However, he said that there are other things that ISAF can do
to combat the drug problem, and COMISAF intends to do those
things next year. He called on the PAG to address
counternarcotics soon. Ambassador Wood observed that much
attention is given to the fact the insurgents profit from the
illegal drug trade. However, not enough attention is given
to the fact that the illegal drug trade undercuts the defense
against the enemy, by undercutting good governance and
fueling corruption.


3. (S/REL ISAF) NSA Rassoul said that he believes that
narcotics are a greater threat to Afghanistan's future than
the Taliban. However, the PAG was established to discuss
security in four provinces in the South, not
counternarcotics. Ambassador Wood remarked that the PAG
should feel free to discuss anything that the members agree
is of high concern -- including counternarcotics, which is a
major concern in the four provinces of the South. COMISAF
and the UK Ambassador supported this line of argumentation.
Ambassador Wood subsequently proposed that the PAG meet in
three weeks to discuss counternarcotics issues in the South.
The PAG agreed.

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CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
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4. (S/REL ISAF) One of the topics placed on the PAG agenda by
the GoA was "civilian casualties" and strategic messaging.
Communications Minister Khuram outlined GoA efforts to
highlight the Taliban's recruitment of children as suicide
bombers and use of civilians as human shields. Acting NATO
Senior Civilian Representative Harmsma asked about the status
of the MOD's proposals for increasing coordination between
the GoA and ISAF/Coalition. COMISAF said that there had been
a meeting June 27 between ISAF, the MOD, MOI, and NDS to
discuss the matter, and that a working group would be
established to review the details. He added that he thought
that the already ongoing creation of Regional Coordination
Centers would be an important contribution. Dutch DCM
Stassen reported that a Dutch team was going to Chora
(Uruzgan province) to investigate reports of civilian
deaths/damage from the fighting there in June, and would make
a report. She added that the team would focus part of its
efforts and report on the Taliban tactics that caused some of
the civilian casualties. Stassen added that a separate
Afghan team also would conduct an investigation and make a
report. Ambassador Wood expressed concern about the recent
inadequate coordination on strategic messaging between the
GoA and international community.

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SECURITY OVERVIEW
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5. (S/REL ISAF) In a general security assessment of the South
and East, a representative from the National Directorate of
Security (NDS) said that the insurgents are attempting to
expand their activities in areas where there have been fewer
security problems. He noted that suicide attacks, IEDs, and
other kinds of terrorist attacks constituted the main Taliban
tactics. However, he concluded that the enemy had failed to
achieve its objectives, due to effective operations by the
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and ISAF/Coalition
Forces. Deputy MOI Minister Khalid said that, since the
Taliban cannot effectively challenge the Afghan National Army
and ISAF/Coalition, they have changed the focus of their
attacks, now increasingly targeting schools and the Afghan
National Police (ANP),because schools and ANP are present
everywhere throughout the country and both represent the
government. COMISAF said he thinks the Taliban are shifting
their tactics to go after "softer" targets. He concluded
that the security situation in the country overall is moving
forward, but much work remains to be done. COMISAF
emphasized that the main thing needed from the international
community at this time is support for the MOI and the ANP.
WOOD