AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO URUZGAN; OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003786 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO FOR GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC PASS FOR JWOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER ECON EAID AF SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO URUZGAN; OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador visited Uruzgan Province on October 22 and met with the Governor and Provincial Council. Newly-installed Governor Hamdam said he already recognized the importance of development projects as a means to gain the loyalty and support of the local population. He complained that corruption was "hijacking" projects and outlined his efforts to encourage the reconciliation of low-level Taliban. The Provincial Council expressed support for President Karzai, expressed concern about security, asked for more development, and called for better coordination between security forces and the local community. The Ambassador lauded the Governor's outreach to villages, underlined U.S. support for the reconciliation process, and promised the U.S. would be guided by local priorities as it dispensed a major increase of assistance to the province. End Summary. GOVERNOR: DEVELOPMENT IS THE KEY TO LOYALTY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador's visit to Uruzgan Province began with a call on newly-installed Governor Asadullah Hamdam. The Governor said that his first month in office had convinced him that international support in providing services and facilities (he mentioned madrasses and clinics) was the key to earning the support and loyalty of the population. The Governor highlighted the lack of electricity in Uruzgan as a major issue. Hamdam told the Ambassador of his concern that corruption was "hijacking" the government's capacity to provide roads, sanitation, clean water, schools and clinics. District administration is also too often failing to take into account local tribal dynamics. Hamdam said he was seeking tribal and mullah input and assistance in implementing programs. He said he planned to cooperate closely with the PRT and new Police Chief as he put programs in place. With outside help and local cooperation, he was confident he would succeed. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador told Hamdam he had heard much the same message from Uruzgan MPs he had met with in Kabul two days before his visit. Their development priorities were roads and electricity. The Ambassador told the Governor there would be a dramatic increase in U.S. aid to Uruzgan during the coming year, and he assured Hamdam that the U.S. was commited to giving the province a voice in development planning. THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO ADDRESS SECURITY CONCERNS -------------- --- ¶4. (SBU) The Governor underlined the security challenge faced in Uruzgan. ANA, ANP and international forces were scarce, but new ANA troops were arriving in the province the day of the meeting. It was essential that ordinary people be willing to fight to defend their province as well. Many had, but not all. The Governor predicted fighting will slow in early winter, and he wanted to use the time to implement a plan to confront the challenge of the Taliban. Senior Taliban were "totally brainwashed," and some local commanders had direct ties to Quetta, but he was confident that those in the lower ranks, starting with recently recruited teenagers, could be reconciled. Hamdam stressed that the public in Taliban-controlled areas were unhappy but felt as if the Taliban would not allow them to leave. The Taliban were enforcing strict rules: closing schools, a ban on TV, limitations on women, and forcing every home to give a young person to serve in the Taliban. He outlined his major project for the coming weeks: to convene a provincial tribal jirga to urge an end to support for the Taliban and find ways to encourage reconciliation. ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador said he recognized that fighting in Helmand and Kandahar was pushing Taliban presence, crime, and poppy cultivation north into Uruzgan. He lauded Hamdam's willingness to take on the challenges and welcomed the KABUL 00003786 002 OF 002 Governor's initiative in meeting with tribal shuras to find ways to encourage reconciliation. The Ambassador underlined that the U.S. supports the PTS program and is committed to strengthening it. The Taliban has lost key commanders over the past year, and if rank and file fighters want to return to normal life, the U.S. is committed to ensuring there is a way that can happen. MEETING WITH THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In a follow-on meeting with the Provincial Council, the Ambassador heard that, while 95 percent of the people backed President Karzai, there are deep concerns over security. The Ambassador responded that, despite talk of a Taliban "shadow government" in Uruzgan, there was only one government. That is the Governor and Provincial Council. The Council voiced support for the Governor's plans to hold a Jirga for peace in the province. They said people wanted security and peace. They underlined the need for development, mentioning specifically the project to bring electricity from Kajaki Dam. The Ambassador explained problems of expanding transmission lines from Kajaki, and emphasized the U.S. goal to connect the country by electricity. The Taliban should be held accountable for attacks which slowed the project. ¶7. (SBU) When a Council member said international forces had made many mistakes in bombing and should coordinate closely with government authorities, the Ambassador assured the Council the U.S. is coordinating with the ANA and the government on military actions. He reiterated that the Taliban should be held accountable for forcing innocents into the midst of battle. WOOD