NURISTAN:INSECURITY IN NEIGHBORING DISTRICT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002851

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2013
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: NURISTAN:INSECURITY IN NEIGHBORING DISTRICT
THREATENS BARGI MATAL,S TIES TO THE PROVINCE

Classified By: PRT Director Valerie Fowler for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Bargi Matal,s district administrator,
Mohammed Ishmael, and local leaders described security in
their district as stable, and identified security in
neighboring Kamdish district as their principal concern. The
chief request from Ishmael and Bargi Matal elders was for the
PRT to construct a road to Pakistan given that travel through
Kamdish into the rest of Afghanistan remains blocked for
security reasons. An October 13 meeting of the provincial
Chief of Police and Provincial Council President with
district elders exposed the district,s deep divisions about
local governance and the way forward. END SUMMARY

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ROADS AND SECURITY LINKED
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2. (C) Security in Kamdish district was identified by
provincial and district leaders as the district,s primary
concern, as insecurity prevents the movement of supplies and
people to and from Bargi Matal on the only vehicle-capable
road leading into the district. Border security,
infrastructure development, medical care, education and
communications are suffering as a result of the road,s
closure.


3. (C) As an alternative to the insecure road leading from
Kunar through Kamdish and into Bargi Matal, the district
administrator and elders requested that the PRT build a road
(where a donkey trail currently exists) that would lead into
Pakistan,s Chitral city in the Northwest Frontier Province.
Ishmael reported that Pakistani authorities have agreed to
construct the Pakistan side of the road up to the border.
PRT Nuristan agreed to consider the request but noted that
there are substantial obstacles to overcome, particularly the
transport of building supplies and quality assurance/control.

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SECURITY IN KAMDISH AND BARGI MATAL
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4. (C) A great deal of debate erupted among meeting
participants about how to address security in Kamdish. Local
elders pointedly criticized the district administrator for
failing to engage his counterpart in Kamdish. Ishmael did
not dismiss this eventual possibility. Some in the group
called for "shura to shura" contacts, however others stressed
that Kamdish elders are not interested in improving security.
Despite ample discussion there was no agreed course of
action while PRT officials were present.


5. (C) District Administrator Ishmael stated that security
in Bargi Matal remains stable. The threat from the Taliban
has subsided since an attack several months ago which led the
district,s citizens to take up arms and successfully defend
the area. Some elders confirmed reports that Anti-Afghan
Forces (AAF) continue to traverse the district, while the
Afghan Border Police (ABP) chief insisted that such movement
has halted. Provincial Chief of Police Kaseem and Provincial
Council President Rashidi suggested that Bargi Matal convene
a "Security Shura" that could work with ANP and ABP to better
monitor security developments. Both leaders praised the
citizens of Bargi Matal for their loyalty to the central
government.

ISHMAEL,S SHURA
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6. (C) Village elders complained loudly about Ishmael,s
advisory "shura," calling it an illegitimate body. The
elders are upset that the local government is not allowing
the villages to elect their own representatives to the
district shura; instead, they assert that the district
administrator is choosing those loyal to him, which goes
against Nuristani culture. Ishmael defended the shura,
insisting that members are elected representatives from
various villages. A heated debate ensued, with the district
administrator eventually calling an end to discussion and
requesting that further talks take place without PRT

officials present.


7. (C) It is clear that the provincial government needs a
stronger presence in Bargi Matal district. Ishmael enjoys
some support but discontent among the village elders over the
shura selection could damage his longer-term effectiveness.
Unless security in Kamdish improves, Bargi Matal district is
likely to become increasingly isolated from Nuristan and
further disconnected from the central government. Bargi
Matal has a reputation for being Nuristan,s most educated
region, with a strong economy fueled by its proximity to
Pakistan. Bringing the district closer to Nuristan would
benefit the province. Without stronger security on the
Kamdish road, Bargi Matal will seek stronger ties with
Pakistan -- ties that could be detrimental to Afghanistan,s
security if citizens allow the area to become a chief transit
point for AAF.
WOOD