Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD357
2008-01-24 06:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
START UP OF NEW USAID OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 000357
SIPDIS
AID/ANE FOR: NMADHAV, FFULLER
AID/OTI FOR: JSHERMAN, SLENNON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PK
SUBJECT: START UP OF NEW USAID OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES
PROGRAM IN PAKISTANQS FATA
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 000357
SIPDIS
AID/ANE FOR: NMADHAV, FFULLER
AID/OTI FOR: JSHERMAN, SLENNON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PK
SUBJECT: START UP OF NEW USAID OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES
PROGRAM IN PAKISTANQS FATA
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. SUMMARY: The relationship between the Government of Pakistan
(GOP) and traditional tribal structures in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is under increased pressure
because of the spread of fundamentalist extremism, foreign
terrorist involvement, PakistanQs military activities in FATA,
and an active military campaign in Afghanistan. The weak writ of
the government leaves FATAQs communities more vulnerable to
extremist groups. With support from the GOP, and the approval of
the U.S. Embassy and USAID/Pakistan, USAIDQs Office of Transition
Initiatives (USAID/OTI) will begin a program to build confidence
between FATAQs communities and the GOP. The program will support
a consultative approach between the GOP and FATA communities,
deliver quick impact community-focused projects, and strengthen
the GOPQs credibility in FATA. The program will also work to
assist the GOP to better manage public information distributed to
FATAQs communities regarding development assistance. The program
is part of a larger USG and USAID strategy for FATA, and will be
closely coordinated with ongoing and forthcoming USAID/Pakistan
programs.
--------------
Background
--------------
2. BACKGROUND: The GOP is focusing efforts to bring security and
development to FATA, demonstrating a new commitment towards the
region by strengthening the capacity of the FATA Secretariat (FS)
to deliver assistance and to attract investment to the region
through the newly created FATA Development Authority (FDA). To
begin bringing sustained development to the region the FS has
produced the FATA Sustainable Development Plan (SDP). The GOP has
pledged $1 billion to the SDP and is actively soliciting
additional funds from donor governments, including the United
States. USAID/OTIQs program, the FATA Transition Initiative
(FTI),will be an initial step toward supporting the GOPQs
efforts to better integrate FATA into the political and economic
mainstream of Pakistan.
--------------
Purpose
--------------
3. PURPOSE: The FTI is designed to build confidence and trust
between the GOP and tribal communities through the identification
and implementation of small community improvement projects and
other programs in FATA based on consultations with the GOP, U.S.
Embassy, USAID, and other USG stakeholders as appropriate. The
centerpiece of the FTI will be establishing and operating a
flexible quick-response mechanism capable of mobilizing relevant
GOP representatives and communities in decision-making
consultative processes.
4. The FTI will support the overall U.S. Department of
State/USAID foreign assistance strategic framework goals for
FATA. The FTI program objectives are 1) to enhance and extend
the writ of the GOP by creating conditions that build confidence
and trust between FATAQs tribal communities and the GOP through
the improvement of the economic and social environment in the
ISLAMABAD 00000357 002 OF 002
region; and 2) to increase public access to information about GOP
social, economic and political activities and policies in FATA.
The FTI is one of the preliminary steps in this process. The FTI
will take place over a relatively short time frame, and its
activities will have relatively short term horizons Q usually
measured in months rather than years. Since the needs in FATA
will undoubtedly continue beyond the term of the FTI, it will
contribute to longer term transition objectives of the GOP as
supported by USAID/Pakistan and other donors.
5. The FTI will focus on grants under contract, developed through
consultative processes, at the community level. The sectoral
focus of individual grants will depend on the outcome of
consultative processes and will likely include, but not be
limited to, replacing and repairing small scale infrastructure.
Small livelihood and business activities, and employment
generation projects may be considered if it is clear they have
the full support of, and will benefit the entire community. The
program may also undertake media and communication outreach
activities to broadcast informational messaging on GOP
development interventions.
--------------
Status
--------------
6. STATUS: It is anticipated that OTIQs transition programming
will be needed for three years. The FTI will initially work in
the four Agencies of Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, and Kurram, where
the operating environment is sufficiently stable to allow
community engagement. The program began in mid November 2007 and
started implementing activities in January 2008.
7. Point of contact for the OTI program is Justin Sherman
USAID/DCHA/OTI ANE Team Leader who can be reached by email at
jsherman@usaid.gov. Telephone number is 202-712-1924. USAID/OTI
would like to thank the USAID/Pakistan Mission in advance for
their assistance in providing support to the start-up of the FTI.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
AID/ANE FOR: NMADHAV, FFULLER
AID/OTI FOR: JSHERMAN, SLENNON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PK
SUBJECT: START UP OF NEW USAID OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES
PROGRAM IN PAKISTANQS FATA
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. SUMMARY: The relationship between the Government of Pakistan
(GOP) and traditional tribal structures in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is under increased pressure
because of the spread of fundamentalist extremism, foreign
terrorist involvement, PakistanQs military activities in FATA,
and an active military campaign in Afghanistan. The weak writ of
the government leaves FATAQs communities more vulnerable to
extremist groups. With support from the GOP, and the approval of
the U.S. Embassy and USAID/Pakistan, USAIDQs Office of Transition
Initiatives (USAID/OTI) will begin a program to build confidence
between FATAQs communities and the GOP. The program will support
a consultative approach between the GOP and FATA communities,
deliver quick impact community-focused projects, and strengthen
the GOPQs credibility in FATA. The program will also work to
assist the GOP to better manage public information distributed to
FATAQs communities regarding development assistance. The program
is part of a larger USG and USAID strategy for FATA, and will be
closely coordinated with ongoing and forthcoming USAID/Pakistan
programs.
--------------
Background
--------------
2. BACKGROUND: The GOP is focusing efforts to bring security and
development to FATA, demonstrating a new commitment towards the
region by strengthening the capacity of the FATA Secretariat (FS)
to deliver assistance and to attract investment to the region
through the newly created FATA Development Authority (FDA). To
begin bringing sustained development to the region the FS has
produced the FATA Sustainable Development Plan (SDP). The GOP has
pledged $1 billion to the SDP and is actively soliciting
additional funds from donor governments, including the United
States. USAID/OTIQs program, the FATA Transition Initiative
(FTI),will be an initial step toward supporting the GOPQs
efforts to better integrate FATA into the political and economic
mainstream of Pakistan.
--------------
Purpose
--------------
3. PURPOSE: The FTI is designed to build confidence and trust
between the GOP and tribal communities through the identification
and implementation of small community improvement projects and
other programs in FATA based on consultations with the GOP, U.S.
Embassy, USAID, and other USG stakeholders as appropriate. The
centerpiece of the FTI will be establishing and operating a
flexible quick-response mechanism capable of mobilizing relevant
GOP representatives and communities in decision-making
consultative processes.
4. The FTI will support the overall U.S. Department of
State/USAID foreign assistance strategic framework goals for
FATA. The FTI program objectives are 1) to enhance and extend
the writ of the GOP by creating conditions that build confidence
and trust between FATAQs tribal communities and the GOP through
the improvement of the economic and social environment in the
ISLAMABAD 00000357 002 OF 002
region; and 2) to increase public access to information about GOP
social, economic and political activities and policies in FATA.
The FTI is one of the preliminary steps in this process. The FTI
will take place over a relatively short time frame, and its
activities will have relatively short term horizons Q usually
measured in months rather than years. Since the needs in FATA
will undoubtedly continue beyond the term of the FTI, it will
contribute to longer term transition objectives of the GOP as
supported by USAID/Pakistan and other donors.
5. The FTI will focus on grants under contract, developed through
consultative processes, at the community level. The sectoral
focus of individual grants will depend on the outcome of
consultative processes and will likely include, but not be
limited to, replacing and repairing small scale infrastructure.
Small livelihood and business activities, and employment
generation projects may be considered if it is clear they have
the full support of, and will benefit the entire community. The
program may also undertake media and communication outreach
activities to broadcast informational messaging on GOP
development interventions.
--------------
Status
--------------
6. STATUS: It is anticipated that OTIQs transition programming
will be needed for three years. The FTI will initially work in
the four Agencies of Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, and Kurram, where
the operating environment is sufficiently stable to allow
community engagement. The program began in mid November 2007 and
started implementing activities in January 2008.
7. Point of contact for the OTI program is Justin Sherman
USAID/DCHA/OTI ANE Team Leader who can be reached by email at
jsherman@usaid.gov. Telephone number is 202-712-1924. USAID/OTI
would like to thank the USAID/Pakistan Mission in advance for
their assistance in providing support to the start-up of the FTI.
PATTERSON