Takhar, Afghanistan: Secure and Stable, but Development

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 004171 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-82 POLAD SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF SUBJECT: Takhar, Afghanistan: Secure and Stable, but Development Lacking ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Takhar province has remained relatively secure and stable throughout 2007. While there have been rocket and IED attacks directed against Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF),the disruption of an insurgent cell in September 2007 has resulted in a significant decrease in insurgent activity. Taloqan remains without electricity, highlighting the greater development challenges it faces when compared with the neighboring province of Kunduz. The German government plans to remedy the lack of a permanent International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) presence in Taloqan through the expansion of its safe house into a Provincial Advisory Team (PAT). End Summary. Security - Lack of an Insurgent Priority? -------------- ¶2. (SBU) While Kunduz and Takhar provinces have similar populations (approximately 800,000),the greater geographical dispersion, distance from the national and other provincial capitals and lack of infrastructure contribute to the small-town feel of the provincial capital of Taloqan. Without Afghan governmental regional offices (with the exception of the 8th Border Police Brigade),a permanent ISAF presence or a large NGO community, Taloqan has not been a high priority insurgent target. The large, roughly equal Tajik and Uzbek populations (40 percent-40 percent),and lack of a sizable Pashtun presence, contribute to a lack of ethnic strife. ¶3. (SBU) Over the past year insurgents have targeted the Afghan National Police (ANP) headquarters and the Kunduz' PRT safe house in Taloqan with rockets and IEDs. A premature IED detonation in September 2007 led to the successful disruption of the cell that had been conducting attacks and distributing propaganda. Since then the number of attacks has dropped significantly. The Kunduz - Taloqan road, Takhar and Badakshan's connection with the rest of Afghanistan, remains an area of concern, especially in the Kunduz-bordering district of Bangi. There have been IED attacks against coalition forces in this area, most recently in November ¶2007. For northeast Afghanistan to reap the benefits of the USG's $104 million investment in the Keshem - Feyzabad road (expected completion date November 2009),the road must continue to be passable and secure. Furthermore, in the upcoming year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to construct 10 Afghan National Police checkpoints, which should help improve security in outlying areas of the province. ¶4. (SBU) The German government decided in November 2007 to expand its safe house and create a permanent presence in Taloqan. Taloqan's distance (75 km) from Kunduz limited the PRT's ability to engage the Afghan government and contribute to security and reconstruction in the provincial capital and the surrounding area. The Taloqan facility will be a dependent office of PRT Kunduz and will house 40 military and civilian personnel, including representatives from the German Foreign Ministry and the development agency. This year brought two new U.S. Army police mentoring teams for the province that reside in Kunduz. The Afghan Ministry of Interior intends to merge the 8th Border Police Brigade with that in Mazar-i-Sharif into a northern Brigade, thereby reducing the ANSF presence in the province. No Electricity, Few Internationals, Little Development -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Unlike its neighbor, Taloqan does not have access to power. Eventually, donors plan to connect Taloqan to the national grid; however, interim considerations are the renovation and expansion of the Khanabad hydroelectric plant in Kunduz province or the construction of mini-hydroelectric facilities closer to Taloqan. ¶6. (U) The NGO, German Agro Action, relocated its facilities from Kunduz to Taloqan, joining a small number of NGOs and IOs operating in the city. The German-funded and -administered Provincial Development Fund (PDF) has successfully funded small development projects and promoted good governance through its approval process. It is only through the PDF that the Provincial Council has any budgetary approval role in development. ¶7. (U) Driven by international donors or money from outside of the KABUL 00004171 002 OF 002 province, Taloqan lacks the indigenous growth and private sector activity that one sees in Kunduz. Takhar often piggybacks on Kunduz development initiatives, for instance Takhar businesses participated in the Afghan-Tajik trade fair that was held in Kunduz in October ¶2007. The German PT should increase the reach of German development euros, Afghan and international awareness, and associated funding, for the province's challenges. Governance -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Governor Latif Ibrahimi transferred from Faryab to Takhar in summer 2007. Despite his experience as governor, or perhaps his familiarity with its institutional shortcomings, he is slightly aloof, except when it comes to issues close to his heart (e.g. the governor's residence). He maintains cordial relations with other political institutions, such as the Provincial Council; however, has not yet proven to be an activist governor. The Chief of Police position has been vacant since October 2007, with Deputy Mahmoodi currently acting. The Provincial Council has taken an interest in the German PDF as a vehicle to bring development projects to their constituencies. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: Takhar is neither a primary target for insurgents nor the focus of development activities. Information about the province is meager when compared with Kunduz, not only due to the lack of political and economic activity, but also the lack of permanent ISAF presence. The German PAT should increase both our engagement with, and knowledge of, Takhar province. End Comment. WOOD