PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: GOVERNOR MANGAL TAKES

UNCLAS KABUL 001275

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-101 POLAD

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF
SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: GOVERNOR MANGAL TAKES
CHARGE


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Governor Mangal's first two months in Helmand
have been productive, building solid support for his administration.
His public outreach efforts are excellent, and he continues to meet
regularly with residents of Lashkar Gah and the tribal and civil
leadership of Helmand. Mangal has an impressive understanding of
government operations and is pushing his provincial ministry
directors to improve their planning and implementation capacity and
to take charge of reconstruction and development efforts. He has an
effective working relationship with the British-led Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT),and Afghan security forces have responded
well to his leadership. During a May 24 dinner, which included
senior Afghan government officials, visiting British Secretary of
State for Defense Des Browne registered HMG's strong support for the
Helmand governor. Mangal's experience and determination to improve
Helmand's provincial government sends a strong signal to area
residents that the Afghan government can be effective.


2. (SBU) Upon his arrival in Helmand, Governor Mangal immediately
focused on improving the performance of the provincial government.
He has pushed provincial ministry directors to improve their
operations and is personally reviewing the capacity of each
director. Mangal chaired his first Helmand Provincial Development
Committee on May 20 and was not pleased with the directors' reports.
He told the directors to coordinate all government, NGO and
international development activities within their areas of
responsibility. The fight against corruption is a primary goal of
his administration; he called for their support in eliminating it.
Mangal told PRT officers that some local officials enjoy political
or family connections and their removal from office will be
difficult; however, with sufficient proof of non-performance,
changes can be made in Helmand's provincial government.



3. (SBU) Public outreach is a key part of Mangal's efforts to bring
the government closer to the people. He makes a point of traveling
around Lashkar Gah and makes regular visits to the city bazaars to
speak with the merchants and shoppers. In conjunction with the
Ministry of Information and Culture, he organized a Public Poetry
Festival in Lashkar Gah on May 15. The event took place at the
women's park with several thousand people in attendance. Mangal
delivered the opening address and called upon the audience to help
promote a better image of Helmand, and to work with him to attract
business, visitors and investments to the province. Residents were
pleased by this effort and Mangal's support among the populace is
growing.


4. (SBU) Mangal has established an effective relationship with the
PRT, which has provided him with expanded internet service,
computers and office furniture to improve his office's capacity.
Mangal told the PRT additional investment in government
infrastructure is required in Lashkar Gah and the District Centers
to reestablish the government across Helmand. His relationship with
the security leadership is good, and he participates in weekly
security briefings from Afghan and UK security forces. He
occasionally maintains longer office hours to meet additional guests
and build better ties across the province.


5. (SBU) Mangal's first two months in Helmand have been impressive.
The provincial government is coming to life and he is pushing
ministry directors to produce results. Residents of Lashkar Gah
readily express support for Mangal and his efforts and have high
hopes he can continue to improve the functions of Helmand's
government.

WOOD