NURISTAN: DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR DISCUSSES NEW GOVERNOR

UNCLAS KABUL 002634 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 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AF SUBJECT: NURISTAN: DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR DISCUSSES NEW GOVERNOR SELECTION PROCESS REF: A)2628 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. On September 7, Dow Ab District Administrator Qari Daud expressed his frustration to the PRT's Integrated Command Team (PICG) about Kabul's lack of inclusion of Nuristan voices in the provincial gubernatorial selection process. He described the security situation in the district as stable, but stressed that the area remains vulnerable to infiltration by insurgents. Daud pleaded for additional development projects that will demonstrate the government's ability to provide economic benefits to the people, including U.S. assistance in pressuring the UN to take a more active role in Dow Ab. Finally, Daud promised Nuristan will remain poppy-free in the next year--hoping this will lead to more international assistance. -------------- -------------- DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR HOPEFUL IN GOVERNANCE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT -------------- -------------- ¶2. Dow Ab District Administrator Qari Daud told the PICG during a September 7 meeting at PRT Nuristan (Kala Gush) that he does not expect the GIRoA's Independent Directorate for Local Governance (IDLG) to consult Nuristani district administrator's in selecting a replacement for the late governor, Hazrat Din. (Hazrat Din was killed in a car accident on September 5, reftel). "Kabul will select a governor who is good for Kabul, and will not discuss it with the people of Nuristan," he said. Daud agreed with the IDLG, that the position should be filled quickly but his frustration with the gubernatorial selection process was evident during our discussion. He noted that he is a supporter of direct provincial elections, but realizes this is not constitutional. Despite this, he appears prepared to work with Kabul's decisions. ¶3. Doud explained that the current security situation in Dow Ab is stable, but stressed that the district remains vulnerable to infiltration by insurgents. The district administrator's described the one-hundred fifty man strong district police presence as "somewhat effective," but added that many of the police seem to think their job is to "sit and drink tea at the district center," as opposed to appropriately manning the various checkpoints. Daud promised the PICG that Dow Ab will remain poppy-free next year and said that he hoped that we could encourage the UN and other international donors to take a more active development role in the area. The PICG explained that Nuristan was already benefiting from its poppy-free status through the "Good Performers Initiative (GPI)," and noted our understanding that UNAMA intends to create a more permanent presence in Parun, Nuristan - but will do so only after the PRT also relocates to the capital. ¶4. Daud said the people's support for the government may not be sustainable without further development in Dow Ab that effectively demonstrates the GIRoA's ability to deliver economic benefits. He argued for make-work projects, roads, animal husbandry programs, and "any other PRT programs" that can assist district development. The PICG explained that the PRT is committed to increasing assistance (CERP AND USAID) to the district but added that current U.S.-funded road construction in the area is critical to bringing in supplies for additional projects. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. Daud is a weekly visitor to the PRT, always armed with requests for additional development projects in Dow Ab (and for local government supplies - including a recent request for a vehicle). He appears very concerned with demonstrating to the population that he can deliver development; however, it is unclear if his commitment is to extending the legitimacy of the GIRoA and its institutions or to increasing his own personal standing. DELL