PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: GARMSIR'S IMPROVED

UNCLAS KABUL 001413 DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS, EUR/RPM NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR WILKES CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-101 POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: GARMSIR'S IMPROVED SECURITY SITUATION ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The UK-led PRT in Lashkar Gah deployed a stabilization team to Garmsir on June 1. The team is working with the district leadership to establish reconstruction and development priorities. The District Administrator has established his office and is meeting with city residents and ISAF forces to support development activities. Numerous shop owners returned to the central bazaar; families are returning to their abandoned compounds, and the city is coming back to life after the cessation of fighting. The Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan Border Police (ABP) are working well with ISAF forces and coordinating joint patrols to expand their security footprint. ISAF's recent military success has created an opportunity for GIRoA to extend its control over Garmsir district. Garmsir Stabilization -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The PRT's stabilization team deployed to Garmsir on June 1 and immediately met with district leadership to establish reconstruction and development priorities. The District Administrator, Abdullah Jan, told PRT officers that local residents welcomed ISAF operations and were eager to return to their homes. He said many of the enemy forces who had controlled the area were foreigners and treated local residents badly. The insurgents forced local residents to provide housing and food, and many farmers had been unable to harvest their crops because of the constant fighting. Jan said local residents needed clarification from UK and U.S. forces so they would know which roads were open and cleared of explosives. He agreed to meet regularly with ISAF commanders to review the cleared routes. Need for Additional Governance and Security Personnel -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Jan said he needs staff from Helmand line ministries to build governance capacity. He has contacted Governor Mangal to address this and other governance and security needs. The Chief of Police, Colonel Gulli, is from the Garmsir area, and he and his men have the local knowledge to stop the enemy force from infiltrating back into the city. Jan said the ANP and ABP have a good working relationship and are manning checkpoints and patrolling with ISAF. Jan said he has about 70 ANP and about 95 ABP to support ISAF efforts, but he has asked Mangal for Afghan National Army forces to expand the security area around the city. Reconstruction: Hospital and Bazaar are Priorities -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The stabilization team discussed reconstruction priorities with local residents who most frequently requested repairs to the city hospital and central bazaar. The city hospital is rundown but structurally sound, and with cleaning and renovation could be operational in weeks. The stabilization team's medical staff worked with the local doctor and his staff at the facility to compile a list of needed medical supplies. Residents also requested the reopening of the bazaar as soon as possible so they could buy food and other needed items. Lashkar Gah is 60 kilometers away; many residents said they could not make this trip and were running low on supplies. There are several hundred shop stalls at the central bazaar, most in useable condition, and at least a dozen shop owners had reopened their shops. The PRT stabilization team is working closely with the U.S. Marine Corps civil affairs team to coordinate development activities and develop a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Garmsir. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The deployment of the stabilization team to Garmsir was welcomed by UK and U.S. forces so the reconstruction and development program could move forward. The stabilization team's medical, engineer and governance officers worked with local officials to build an initial plan based on local needs to help support the return of city residents. With sustained transport and security support from ISAF, this stabilization effort can deliver better conditions to the local population very quickly after the conclusion of military operations. Early establishment of a central government presence in the district, as both security provider and dispenser of development aid and services, is key to securing this area from re-infiltration by insurgents. DELL