PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: MUSA QALA RECONSTRUCTION

UNCLAS KABUL 000835 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS CAMP, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR JWOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-82 POLAD SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: MUSA QALA RECONSTRUCTION AND POLITICAL UPDATE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Musa Qala remains stable but the absence of Mullah Salam and the District Shura has slowed government reconstruction efforts and stalled governance development. Ministries' provincial representatives in Lashkar Gah cannot coordinate development activities and will not send staff to Musa Qala until the local government returns. The USAID generator was installed on March 27, and a local staff has been trained to operate and maintain the equipment. The Afghan National Police (ANP) maintain order in the city and continue to work well with the UK Police Mentoring Teams (PMT). However, freedom of movement outside the city is limited and security remains the greatest concern of city residents. Musa Qala Politics -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Mullah Salam and the Musa Qala District Shura left the city three weeks ago for Kabul, and only returned to Helmand on April 3. Local residents are upset that their local government spent so much time in the capital and not in Musa Qala working on local issues. Additionally, the Musa Qala Shura has not resolved land use issues in the city and this is delaying construction of the police and government building. Residents expressed support for ISAF and government operations but are anxious to see reconstruction and development efforts move forward and create additional jobs in the city. Development Update -------------- ¶3. (SBU) USAID installed and tested the generator on March 27, and USAID engineers have trained a local resident to operate and maintain the equipment. USAID will pay the operator's salary and the PRT will fund the fuel costs for the immediate future. USAID also trained UK personnel on the application process for Small Community Grants. USAID expects to start disbursing Small Community Grants within next 30 days. Furthermore, USAID continues to work with Provincial Agricultural Authorities on the roll-out of a 500-participant contract farming program in Musa Qala, expected to begin in six weeks with the start of corn-planting season. ¶4. (SBU) Raz Mohammad, Deputy Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, told PRT officers that a contract to build a mosque with a capacity of 800 people for central Musa Qala is signed. He said that his ministry has the required funding and that his local director and three engineers will soon arrive to mark the site and coordinate an official ground breaking event. Mohammad said he will try to employ two staff to work with the area leaders and supervise the implementation of various projects. USAID will support these staff by coordinating logistics. Security -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Afghan Police forces continue to work well with the UK Police Mentors, and Police Commander Koka has improved policing in the city. The police arrested two armed Taliban inside the District Center on March 27, and have prevented several attacks on the local political leadership. Shopkeepers have complained, however, that Salam's militia/guards have tried to collect taxes, which they assert is clearly illegal. Commercial supplies continue to reach the city, but freedom of movement outside the city is limited; residents said "real security" extends just 1-2 kms from the city. UK stabilization officers said they were unable to leave the secure area of the city on a regular basis, and PRT officers were unable to visit reconstruction projects, due to the increased risk of suicide bombers. ¶6. (SBU) Over the past three months the PRT and local government have effectively coordinated reconstruction and development efforts. Unfortunately, the prolonged absence of Salam and the Shura delayed project implementation and left a leadership void in the city. Helmand officials will not send staff to work in Musa Qala and residents have no effective government body. The return of the local government to Musa Qala is critical to resolve development and security issues. DELL