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. -------------- COUNTERNARCOTICS -------------- ¶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. �A; ¶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. -------------- CIVILIAN CASUALTIES -------------- ¶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. -------------- KABUL 00002137 002 OF 002 SECURITY OVERVIEW -------------- ¶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