FARAH: SECURITY WORSENS, GOVERNANCE IMPROVES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002229 DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR WILKES CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-101 POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ECON AF SUBJECT: FARAH: SECURITY WORSENS, GOVERNANCE IMPROVES ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Roohul AMIN became Farah's governor on May 4, and is working closely with provincial officials, elders and the international community, but is struggling with ongoing insecurity. Amin's efforts to tackle corruption have produced some positive results. His efforts to secure Farah have not been as successful; security is worsening as insurgents turn to indirect attacks against security forces. Despite this poor security environment, development projects in Farah have found new purchase. Recognizing this trend, Governor AMIN has successfully negotiated for additional projects and money. Internationals and Afghans alike see AMIN as a powerful force for good, but fear continued insecurity in Farah could jeopardize his efforts. New Governor is a Big Improvement -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Newly appointed Farah Governor Roohul Amin's extensive experience as Deputy Director of the Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN),an Afghan NGO, has guided his approach to difficult issues facing Farah. Farah residents have received his outreach to the general population and business community well. Since his appointment, AMIN has met with the Provincial Council (PC),ministry line directors, district administrators, elders and the Provincial Reconstruction Team, and has prioritized Farah's needs. ¶3. (SBU) AMIN has worked on tackling corruption in Farah. Originally from Kunduz, AMIN touts his lack of ties in Farah, saying his origin shields him from local manipulation. He hopes to prevent perceptions of bias from developing by continuing the previous governor's custom of not visiting businessmen or officials in their private homes. Amin's efforts have begun to pay dividends; during his three months in office, AMIN increased customs revenue deposits from 2 million Afghanis (USD 40,000) to 10 million Afghanis (USD 200,000). He remains cautious, however, about rooting out corruption and probing Iran's influence among his staff and influential figures in Farah. For example, AMIN has hinted to the PRT that Police Chief Colonel Khalil may be out of favor with the Ministry of Interior due to corruption, but has not taken direct action against Khalil. ¶4. (SBU) AMIN has sought to bolster security in Farah by reaching out to interlocutors throughout the province. He has been willing to meet with anyone who visits his offices, including elders who may be aligned with insurgents and support poppy cultivation. Amin's outreach has gained him allies, but controlling Farah's security remains beyond his reach. AMIN is still unable to travel outside of the capital due to ongoing threats and violence. Security: Increased Indirect Attacks -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Security in Farah is worsening, and there are some districts the PRT can no longer visit. Insurgents reacted against the arrival of the 2/7 Marines, stepping up their attacks against Afghan and Coalition Forces. The Marines and a more robust ANA and ANP have, in turn, inflicted some significant defeats on the insurgency. During fighting between a combined ANA/ANP force and Taliban elements in Bala Baluk district of central Farah, Afghan forces killed several Taliban commanders. Broadly, insurgents have refrained from direct engagement with Afghan forces supported by Marines in Delaram, Bakwa and Gulistan, but have sustained direct engagements with the ANA and ANP in the Khaki Safed, Pusht Rud and Farah districts. Development: New Projects Abound -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The arrival of USAID's implementing partner, ARD, has brought renewed emphasis on development. ARD and USAID have begun an ambitious 100-day "cash for work" program coupled to long-term development projects. The Ministry for Women's Affairs, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD),Department of Agriculture, and NGOs are implementing projects in Farah, Pusht Rud, and Khaki Safed districts. USAID is also implementing a Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) program focused on Lash wa Juwayn, Dilaram, Bakwa, Bala Baluk, and Pur Chaman districts. Governor AMIN enthusiastically supports these new initiatives and has been at the forefront of ensuring community and government KABUL 00002229 002 OF 002 participation. He has also traveled to Kabul to meet with ministries, NGOs and embassies to mobilize additional funds. Farah's Future -------------- ¶7. (SBU) AMIN has become an effective lobbyist for government and international assistance. The Governor's recent trip to Kabul resulted in impressive line ministry pledges focused on improving power and water infrastructure in the city of Farah and then throughout the province. He obtained a USD one million pledge from the Ministry of Power and Water for the construction and installation of sub-stations, transformers, electrical power lines and light poles. AMIN also secured a 500kva generator to back up the system and a pledge of USD 4.5 million to survey Farah city and improve its street network. Finally, at a disaster preparedness conference in Herat, AMIN negotiated for 4780 metric tons of World Food Program wheat, which is already in Farah city warehouses and set for distribution to locals should food become scarce. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Despite Amin's short tenure and struggles with insecurity, international and Afghan officials believe him an influential and positive force worthy of additional support. Amin's effort to root out corrupt and ineffective officials, albeit in a somewhat limited fashion, is a positive sign. The worsening security situation, however, could threaten Amin's efforts to move the province towards social and economic normalization. WOOD