PRT/QALENOW: SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT ON SECURITY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002343 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CR, S/CT STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CG CG CJTF-82, AND POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/21/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER EAID AF SUBJECT: PRT/QALENOW: SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT ON SECURITY, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SITUATION REF: A. KABUL 950 ¶B. KABUL 02143 Classified By: Pol Counselor Sara Rosenberry for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In Badghis economic and social indicators continue to improve slowly, but growth has been restrained by a deteriorating security environment caused by a recently-removed corrupt and inefficient Governor. Recent insurgent attacks have grown in size and coordination in the Pashtun parts of the Province. The Afghan National Police (ANP) have responded dismally, and there is no permanent Afghan National Army (ANA) presence in Badghis. On June 25 ex-Governor Mohammed Nasim was replaced by Mohammed Ashraf Naseri. The Province is in need of good governance, and Naseri seems to have the qualifications and experience needed to have a positive impact in the Province. END SUMMARY. -------------- Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Qal-e Now and the predominantly Tajik populations in the south of Badghis province remain peaceful, but insurgent activity has increased in the northern Pashtun districts, including Murghab and Ghormach. The June 9 insurgent attack against the Murghab District Center was the most violent and best organized attack to date. The attack targeted local government officials and buildings but spared a nearby clinic and two schools. It involved approximately 60 armed self-proclaimed Taliban, demonstrating a drastic increase in both the size and coordination of the insurgency. Six months ago the PRT estimated that insurgent groups in the Murghab area were limited to a few isolated bands consisting of approximately eight members each. Of the 120 ANP, National Directorate for Security (NDS) and Afghan Highway Patrol (AHP) officers present at the start of the attack, less than 30 were present after the six hour fight. (Note: The AHP was officially disbanded in 2006, but several units continue to operate. End Note). Insurgent groups will continue to gain strength in the Pashtun areas until the government is perceived as honest and able to provide basic services. ¶3. (C) The current Spanish Military contingent has greatly increased the number and duration of presence patrols in Murghab district, but insurgents easily withdraw into the mountains until the Spanish return to the PRT. Efforts to improve the ANP continue, and ANA forces have temporarily been deployed to Murghab, but a permanent deployment of a small ANA force to the area would be the best way to stop the increasing insurgent threat. Unfortunately, there are no ANA troops permanently stationed in Badghis, given the even more pressing need for ANA troops to support the fighting in the South and the East. Demand for ANA troops nationally continues to outstrip their availability. -------------- Political Situation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The June 25 removal of corrupt and unpopular Governor Mohammed Nasim is a positive step. New Governor Mohammed Ashraf Naseri has a Masters Degree in General Management and several years of senior level management experience both within the GOA and the NGO community. He is Pashtun, which will quiet Pashtun complaints of being excluded from local government. His agenda includes focusing on improving access to education and health care, and he wants to help his line ministers develop a comprehensive Provincial Development Plan (PDP). ¶5. (SBU) Progress on developing the provincial development plan has been slow. The local UNAMA office is increasingly taking the lead in promoting good governance, but this effort is not sustainable without a permanent office director. The KABUL 00002343 002 OF 002 Governor-Led Eradication (GLE) Program enhanced the former governor's ability to extort protection money. Poppy was openly cultivated across large parts of the Province. The disbandment of illegally armed groups (DIAG) process has made some modest gains in southwestern Ab Kamari district, and the local coordinator believes he could expand the DIAG process to southeastern Jawand district if he is provided sufficient funding to offer incentives for compliance. -------------- Economic Situation -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The overall economic situation has changed little in the last six months. The PRT is currently building roads from Qal-e Now to the distinct centers of Ab Kamari, Muqur, and the city of Sang Attesh, which is located 33 kilometers north of Qal-e Now on the way to Murghab. The PRT hopes to build roads to the district centers of Qadis and Jawand in ¶2008. The Spanish understand the importance of improving access to the pivotal districts of Murghab and Ghormach, but confusion over the future route of the Ring Road and a request from the GOA not to construct roads along the possible Ring Road routes has resulted in the two districts most vulnerable to insurgency takeover remaining unconnected to the provincial capital. ¶7. (SBU) The Spanish Embassy has offered to financially support the opening of a border crossing point between Badghis and Turkmenistan. The GOA has reportedly responded favorably to the offer and is in negotiations with Turkmenistan on the proposal. A border crossing with Turkmenistan, connected to a newly improved road system, would greatly decrease the Province's isolation and stimulate increased trade and economic activity. -------------- Cultural/Social Situation -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The judicial system remains inefficient and corrupt, with widespread allegations of detainees purchasing their liberty. The only judge in Murghab District, which is a center of both insurgent and narcotics activity, recently informed PRToff that in he has had no cases related to narcotics smuggling or insurgent attacks in the past three years. Local residents prefer to resort to traditional methods of dispute settlement, rendering the formal judicial system largely irrelevant. WOOD