FATA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AS OF MAY 23, 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 002000



SENSITIVE

SIPDIS



E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EAID, MASS, SNAR, PK

SUBJ: FATA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AS OF MAY 23, 2008



REF: ISLAMABAD 1786



1. (U) Following is a summary of U.S. Mission Islamabad's

activities in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)

along its northwest border with Afghanistan as of May 23, 2008.



General activities

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2. (SBU) USAID has contracted a feasibility study for construction

of four roads in the FATA. The study is expected to be completed in

September 2008. There are five proposals for 1210 funding in

development, including training facility proposals for the Northwest

Frontier Province (NWFP) police and the Frontier Constabulary (FC).

A training course for levy managers is underway and a five-week

course training course for levies will begin in June at the National

Police Academy.



Peshawar Update

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3. (SBU) The Principal Officer's recent visit to Dera Ismail Khan

indicated that the town could serve as a branching out point for

outreach into South Waziristan. As a result of her trip,

negotiations to establish an American Corner at Gomal University

have begun. The FATA Transition Initiative (FTI) will begin work in

the Frontier Regions of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, and Lakki

Marwat to build the confidence and credibility needed to implement

projects in North Waziristan and ultimately, South Waziristan.

Additionally, since Dera Ismail Khan is accessible by alternate

routes through the Punjab, it is a more convenient site for USAID

partners CHF and DAI to set up their first office for outreach into

the southern tribal areas.



4. (SBU) FTI teams have installed 12 10-KVA generators and three

50-KVA generators at universities and student hostels to assist

students after a May 11 bombing which severely reduced electricity

to the Peshawar area and affected students' ability to study for

exams. Two more 10-KVA generators are awaiting installation. FTI

examined the possibility of providing assistance to the Engineering

College for one month, although its students are not on the same

examination schedule as other universities in the area. After

students protesting the lack of electricity destroyed school

property, however, the Engineering College closed early for summer

vacations.



5. (SBU) FTI is conducting a media accessibility and credibility

survey in Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency, South Waziristan, Peshawar

Frontier Region (FR),Kohat FR, and Dera Ismail Khan FR.



6. (SBU) After tribal elders allowed access in exchange for water

projects, FTI is sponsoring an intertribal soccer competition in the

Bara area to bring the various tribes together. GOP officials will

serve as Chief Guests and present "Player of the Day" awards.



7. (SBU) Work on a school renovation in Kharkay, Orakzai, continues

slowly due to logistical challenges (rain) and security problems.

Many of the young men and potential laborers of this community have

left for work in Gulf States, leaving the community economically

dormant. A local donkey owner, whose transportation business has

been limited until now, has been hired to transport materials from

the main road to the village school. The community had specifically

requested FTI to hire this man and his donkey because the economic

downturn has left him with almost no source of income. This is an

example of how FTI provides preferential business to local business

people in order to ensure that they receive economic benefits from

projects in their communities.



Security Situation

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8. (SBU) The security situation continues to deteriorate in

previously designated "go" areas. In Mohmand Agency, the overall

security situation is very tense, and Taliban are seen moving about

freely in Mian Mandi and Ekka Ghund market areas. (Note: These

areas are close to the settled areas. End note.) On May 21, 2008,

the "extremist" Taliban (a term utilized by our local staff as

compared to "local Taliban") were seen at Saipan area. They are now

slowly reaching the Shabqadar area (on the border with the settled

areas). Taliban have stopped the girls at Ghiljo tehsil in Upper

Orakzai taking their Intermediate examinations. The Political

Administration brought these 60 girls to Kohat to take these exams,



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but they missed the first two. Khyber Agency is also rife with

security threats which frequently stop staff from traveling into the

Agency, but project activities continue.



9. (SBU) A bomb blast in FR Kohat killed two Frontier Corp soldiers

on May 17, creating a high security alert and a sense of panic in

the FR. Despite security problems, FTI staff still visited the

village of Jawaki for a Community Consensus Jirga. Staff have also

agreed to meet with the Maliks of Zarghoon Khel to discuss the

reconstruction and rehabilitation of Dara Adam Khel College, which

was partially destroyed by a recent bomb attack.



Khyber Idol Singing Competition

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10. (SBU) The final round of the FTI-sponsored "Khyber Idol" singing

competition was held on May 17 at a government high school in

Jamrud. The purpose was to provide a public relations opportunity

for the Government of Pakistan, get citizens involved in Government

initiatives, and demonstrate a change in the political environment

since the MMA government (which restricted singing) was voted out.

The songs were focused on patriotic themes. Radio Khyber reported

that 3,126 people total voted by text or phone call during the

semi-final rounds. Approximately 400 people from Khyber Agency

attended the final round to watch live performances of all nine

finalists. The Agency Education Officer was the Chief Guest at the

event and distributed trophies and certificates from the GOP to the

nine finalists. Former government councilors, the President of the

FATA Teachers Association, and local elders were also present on the

occasion. Audience members were enthusiastic, and many commented

that such events should be held frequently to draw youths to

cultural activities. On May 18, recordings of the nine finalists'

performances were broadcast on Radio Khyber, and 1,428 people voted

during this final round. The winner received 508 votes and will

participate in the production of a music CD.



PATTERSON