ATIQULLAH LUDIN APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF LOGAR

UNCLAS KABUL 002980 SENSITIVE 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: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AF SUBJECT: ATIQULLAH LUDIN APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF LOGAR PROVINCE ¶1. (U) On October 23 former Mujahedin commander LTG Atiqullah Ludin took up his duties as the new governor of Logar Province just south of Kabul. He replaced Abdullah Wardak, who was killed in an insurgent attack on September ¶13. In his initial address to Logar residents and officials, Ludin stressed that his top priorities will be improving security and bringing more reconstruction to the province. He pledged to consult with local elders on the establishment of a special police unit to prevent attacks, smuggling and kidnappings. ¶2. (U) Ludin, a Pashtun from Logar,s Mohammad Agha district that borders Kabul province, has been largely out of circulation for the last 3-4 years. His principal qualifications to be Governor in increasingly strife-torn Logar appear to be his personal connection to the province and his military service. In the early 1970s Ludin reportedly attended a military course and served in the Afghan army during the rule of Daoud Khan. After the Soviet invasion, he moved to Pakistan. Accounts vary concerning the degree of his possible involvement in fighting the Soviets, but after the fall of the Taliban, Ludin was active in southeastern Afghanistan as commander of the former Afghan 3rd corps (which predated the Afghan National Army). He worked closely with U.S. forces stationed at Gardez in Paktia Province. After some initial hesitation by Commander Ludin, most of his forces entered the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program in 2003. He was unsuccessful in his bid for a seat to the Lower House of Parliament (Wolesi Jirga) in the 2005 elections. ¶3. (SBU) Ludin is directly related to President Karzai,s former Chief of Staff, Jawed Ludin (current Afghan Ambassador to Norway). Jawed Ludin,s sister is reportedly married to the new Governor,s son. UNAMA reports that three candidates were considered for the Logar governor slot and, because of his lack of managerial experience, he would not have been UNAMA,s first choice. Ludin,s selection was submitted to and approved by the Senior Appointments Panel. Unconfirmed reports suggest Ludin might have been involved at one time in antiques smuggling. WOOD