PRT JALALABAD: NEW OFFICIALS REINVIGORATE DIAG

UNCLAS KABUL 000483 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMIT CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-76 POLAD RELEASEABLE TO NATO/ISAF, NZ, AUS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS PGOV PREL PTER AF SUBJECT: PRT JALALABAD: NEW OFFICIALS REINVIGORATE DIAG PROCESS ¶1. (U) Summary: New DIAG Regional Director visited the PRT to describe plans for new initiatives to reinvigorate the DIAG process. Two weeks later, DIAG hosted an event in Jalalabad for former Mujahideen. While the meetings were encouraging, getting new momentum for DIAG will require hard work and coordination. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Dr. Abdul Hameed Omar, the new DIAG Director for the Eastern Region, came to the PRT on January 21 to discuss recent changes made in the process to try to regain momentum. He admitted that the pace has slowed down since the burst of enthusiasm when DDR ended and DIAG began. He explained that the new focus will be on specific districts, rather than whole provinces. Any district that can reach a certain level of compliance will be eligible for up to $100,000 of grant money for development projects, which will hopefully encourage neighboring districts to follow suit. The PRT pledged to support the new initiative, and came up with a list of activities on which we could work together. ¶3. (U) Two weeks later, Jalalabad PRT Officials attended a meeting of former Mujahideen commanders sponsored by the Nangarhar Provincial Shura and DIAG officials. Over 200 persons identifying themselves as Mujahideen attended the meeting, organized to promote the DIAG process and encourage former Mujahideen to turn in their weapons. The UN Weapons Recovery Team display outside the meeting of 50 boxes of ammunition that had been recently turned in was nevertheless rather uinspiring. ¶4. (U) Several influential Mujahideen spoke, including the former Afghan Army 11th Division Commander Ustas Mohammad Ali Malanyar (who has been suggested as the possible replacement for recently departed Deputy Governor Dr. Mohammad Alan Ishaq Zai.) Multiple speakers expressed a variety of opinions on the topic, with many nostalgically recalling their success in fighting against the Soviet Union. The PRT Commander praised them for using their creativity to overcome great odds then, and asked that they use it now to fight the enemies of peace and stability. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: New DIAG Regional Director Tahir seemed enthusiastic, yet realistic, about the possibilities for the new initiative. The Mujahideen meeting two weeks later was a lively, high profile way to start. Unfortunately, Tahir missed this first big event, as DIAG sent him to Kabul for a Regional Director's meeting that day, which is not a good omen for future planning and coordination. End comment. NEUMANN