Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISLAMABAD1246
2009-06-06 05:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
JUNE 5 DISPLACED PERSONS AND MILITARY SITUATION
how-toVZCZCXRO2250 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #1246/01 1570500 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 060500Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3115 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0443 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0576 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 5044 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 1788 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 7390 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 6333 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 4016 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 9566
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ISLAMABAD 001246
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM EAID PTER PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: JUNE 5 DISPLACED PERSONS AND MILITARY SITUATION
REPORT
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ISLAMABAD 001246
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM EAID PTER PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: JUNE 5 DISPLACED PERSONS AND MILITARY SITUATION
REPORT
1. (U) SUMMARY: SRAP Holbrooke's meetings with GOP
officials and with Nawaz Sharif received wide coverage in
Pakistan's media on June 5. Pakistan's Senate convened after
a month's hiatus to debate the military operation in Swat.
At a June 4 Army Corps Commanders' meeting, Chief of Staff of
the Army General Kayani said that the military had
"decisively turned the tide" against the taliban in Swat and
adjoining districts. Militant leader Sufi Muhammad and four
others were reportedly arrested by security forces but the
military has so far denied that they are in custody. On June
5, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) convened a general coordination meeting at which
Martin Mogwanja, newly appointed UN Humanitarian Coordinator
(HC),highlighted the importance of humanitarian
coordination. OCHA reported that the Multi-Cluster Rapid
Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) is scheduled to begin on June 9.
UNICEF staff report that several displacement camps are
located in areas that may be prone to flooding and increased
incidence of waterborne diseases with the onset of the
monsoon season in July. UN Habitat has suspended operations
in Mardan District for a period of 48 hours, following an IED
explosion on June 4. END SUMMARY
--------------
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
2. (U) President Obama's speech in Cairo and the visit of
SRAP Holbrooke dominated the news on June 5. Ambassador
Holbrooke's meetings with Prime Minister Gilani and Foreign
Minister Qureshi received heavy media coverage. The meeting
between SRAP Holbrooke and Nawaz Sharif, leader of the
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, also received press attention.
Nawaz was quoted as appealing for additional international
help to the people displaced by the military operation in
Swat and adjacent areas and complaining about drone attacks.
Nawaz reportedly made the same points in a subsequent meeting
with European ambassadors. Holbrooke's comments urging the
international community to do more and statement of the U.S.
commitment of an additional two hundred million dollars were
also widely reported. Foreign Minister Qureshi continued his
series of briefings to GCC chiefs of mission in Islamabad,
discussing military operations in Swat and IDP needs on June
4 with the ambassadors of UAE, Qatar, Oman and the charge
d'affaires of Saudi Arabia.
3. (U) On June 5, the Senate convened again after being out
of session in May. It opened with debate on a motion
regarding the military action in Swat. ANP Senator Zahid
Khan opened with a statement supporting the operation,
blaming the militants for breaking the agreement with the
GOP. Other senators also expressed support, with one saying
that the militants had established a state within a state, an
unacceptable situation. Opponents criticized the failure to
consult with civilian political forces before the operation,
blamed the U.S. for using the conflict for its own ends, and
claimed that India had a role in fomenting violence in
Malakand.
--------------
MILITARY/SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
4. (U) Chief of Staff of the Army (COAS) General Ashfaq
Kayani said on June 4 that the military had "decisively
turned the tide" against the taliban in Swat and adjoining
districts. He said major population centers and roads in the
valley have been cleared of organized resistance. Kayani was
speaking at a Corps Commanders' meeting at Army General
Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The COAS told the meeting that
the military would stay in Swat to provide security. He said
the Army would continue operations on a "limited scale" to
clear remaining hideouts and that high value targets are
being aggressively hunted. Kayani also spoke about the
"heroic resilience" of the internally displaced persons and
urged the government to launch a robust administrative effort
ISLAMABAD 00001246 002 OF 003
on the heels of the successful military operation to make it
possible for the displaced people to return to their homes as
soon as possible.
5. (U) The media ran reports on June 5 of the arrests of
Sufi Muhammad, leader of the Tehreek
Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi. The reports indicated that Sufi
Muhammad's spokesman, Maulana Ameer Izzat, and three others
were also apprehended. The arrests were said to have taken
place by security forces at the organization's headquarters
at Amandara in Malakand. But military spokesman MG Athar
Abbas, while acknowledging a raid on a madrassa in Amandara,
denied that Muhammad and the others had been arrested. Sufi
Muhammad was released from custody in April 2008 after
renouncing militancy. Earlier this year, he represented the
militants in Swat in demanding that the GOP sign the
Nizam-e-Adl Regulations, which President Zardari did on April
13. Local Embassy contacts say the arrests did take place
but the issue remains clouded. Post will continue to follow.
6. (U) In Mardan on June 4, seven security personnel were
killed in an attack by militants. The dead included a
Frontier Corps captain and a deputy superintendent of police.
For its part, the GOP military spokesman claimed that it had
killed 10 militants in Swat and Buner. There were also
reports that Abdul Wadood, a Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
commander, had been killed in a firefight with government
troops. A lesser ranking militant commander was arrested.
--------------
Humanitarian Coordination
--------------
7. (U) On June 5, the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) convened a general coordination
meeting at which Martin Mogwanja, newly appointed UN
Humanitarian Coordinator (HC),highlighted the importance of
humanitarian coordination to ensure that humanitarian
assistance is delivered efficiently, effectively and safely
to international standards. The HC intends to increase
information to donors, ensure regular cluster meetings,
facilitate donor visits to affected areas, encourage
increased media coverage of the IDP crisis, and urge specific
donor giving. The HC indicated no immediate plans to request
new Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) funding.
8. (U) According to the UK Department for International
Development (DFID) humanitarian representative June 5, the UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office has instructed UK Embassies
to demarche European governments to provide or expand support
for ongoing humanitarian efforts in Pakistan.
9. (U) On June 5, OCHA reported that the Multi-Cluster
Rapid Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) is scheduled to begin on
June 9, following training of assessment enumerators from
June 7 to June 8. The assessment, expected to last for
approximately three days, will evaluate 650 displaced
families residing in schools, host communities, and
spontaneous camps. OCHA expects to release the assessment
results on June 16. Save the Children will also shortly
release results of an assessment survey of hosted IDPs. Save
noted in a meeting with Ambassador Holbrooke that of a
sampling of 340 households in Mardan and Swabi, 35 percent of
hosted internally displaced families were hosted by family,
35 percent by friends and 30 percent by strangers. Of those
hosted by strangers only four percent paid any rent. UN
Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is also undertaking a
survey of hosted IDPs and will focus on gender issues.
10. (U) As of June 5, OCHA reported that as per the UN
financial tracking system, the UN Humanitarian Response Plan
(HRP) is 25 percent funded, an increase from 17 percent
during the previous week. Currently, the UN has received
approximately USD 136 million of the USD 543 million
requested in the HRP. However, OCHA noted that humanitarian
organizations have received an additional USD 80 million
ISLAMABAD 00001246 003 OF 003
outside of the UN's HRP for internally displaced persons
projects.
--------------
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene
--------------
11. (U) The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has ordered 25,000
hygiene kits through local suppliers in Karachi, scheduled to
arrive in seven to ten days. UNICEF is also working to
procure an additional 100,000 kits to meet NGO requests.
12. (U) UNICEF staff report that several displacement camps
are located in bowl-shaped areas, increasing the likelihood
of flooding and increased incidence of waterborne diseases
with the onset of the monsoon season in July. To date,
UNICEF has no focused planning efforts on anticipated
problems arising from monsoon season, although UNICEF reports
staff are aware of the potential problems and continue to
perform regular water-system maintenance in displacement
camps. ICRC has already begun drainage projects to protect
Shah Mansoor Camp against possible flooding.
13. (U) As of June 3, poor road infrastructure and
insecurity have impeded humanitarian access to Palai
displacement camp, Northwest Frontier Province, according to
the GOP. Approximately 185 families currently residing in
the camp lack adequate sanitation facilities and access to
clean drinking water. The GOP cautioned that with increased
expected rainfall by the end of June, the potential for
waterborne disease outbreaks will increase.
--------------
Logistics and Relief Commodities
--------------
14. (U) The DART notes that household non-food item kits
(NFI) distributed by UN agencies and humanitarian partners
cost approximately USD 120 each, but estimates and kit
composition vary between agencies. USAID's Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance-supported FNI kits, distributed through
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),serve a family
of six, and contain fleece blankets, quilts, sleeping mats,
10-liter water containers, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, and
soap.
--------------
Early Recovery
--------------
15. (U) On May 30, a GOP assessment team travelled to Loe
Sam Corridor, Bajaur District, to assess damage to water
supply and electricity infrastructure caused by August 2008
fighting. In Tang Khatta town, the team identified an acute
water shortage resulting from a damaged power supply and
water storage tank. The team also reported damaged water and
electric infrastructure in Rashaki and Loe Sam towns.
Throughout the assessed areas, the team noted limited to no
civilian population returns to date.
--------------
Security
--------------
16. (U) On June 5, the UN Habitat director in Pakistan
informed the DART team leader that UN Habitat has suspended
operations in Mardan District for a period of 48 hours,
following an IED explosion on June 4.
PATTERSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM EAID PTER PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: JUNE 5 DISPLACED PERSONS AND MILITARY SITUATION
REPORT
1. (U) SUMMARY: SRAP Holbrooke's meetings with GOP
officials and with Nawaz Sharif received wide coverage in
Pakistan's media on June 5. Pakistan's Senate convened after
a month's hiatus to debate the military operation in Swat.
At a June 4 Army Corps Commanders' meeting, Chief of Staff of
the Army General Kayani said that the military had
"decisively turned the tide" against the taliban in Swat and
adjoining districts. Militant leader Sufi Muhammad and four
others were reportedly arrested by security forces but the
military has so far denied that they are in custody. On June
5, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) convened a general coordination meeting at which
Martin Mogwanja, newly appointed UN Humanitarian Coordinator
(HC),highlighted the importance of humanitarian
coordination. OCHA reported that the Multi-Cluster Rapid
Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) is scheduled to begin on June 9.
UNICEF staff report that several displacement camps are
located in areas that may be prone to flooding and increased
incidence of waterborne diseases with the onset of the
monsoon season in July. UN Habitat has suspended operations
in Mardan District for a period of 48 hours, following an IED
explosion on June 4. END SUMMARY
--------------
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
2. (U) President Obama's speech in Cairo and the visit of
SRAP Holbrooke dominated the news on June 5. Ambassador
Holbrooke's meetings with Prime Minister Gilani and Foreign
Minister Qureshi received heavy media coverage. The meeting
between SRAP Holbrooke and Nawaz Sharif, leader of the
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, also received press attention.
Nawaz was quoted as appealing for additional international
help to the people displaced by the military operation in
Swat and adjacent areas and complaining about drone attacks.
Nawaz reportedly made the same points in a subsequent meeting
with European ambassadors. Holbrooke's comments urging the
international community to do more and statement of the U.S.
commitment of an additional two hundred million dollars were
also widely reported. Foreign Minister Qureshi continued his
series of briefings to GCC chiefs of mission in Islamabad,
discussing military operations in Swat and IDP needs on June
4 with the ambassadors of UAE, Qatar, Oman and the charge
d'affaires of Saudi Arabia.
3. (U) On June 5, the Senate convened again after being out
of session in May. It opened with debate on a motion
regarding the military action in Swat. ANP Senator Zahid
Khan opened with a statement supporting the operation,
blaming the militants for breaking the agreement with the
GOP. Other senators also expressed support, with one saying
that the militants had established a state within a state, an
unacceptable situation. Opponents criticized the failure to
consult with civilian political forces before the operation,
blamed the U.S. for using the conflict for its own ends, and
claimed that India had a role in fomenting violence in
Malakand.
--------------
MILITARY/SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
4. (U) Chief of Staff of the Army (COAS) General Ashfaq
Kayani said on June 4 that the military had "decisively
turned the tide" against the taliban in Swat and adjoining
districts. He said major population centers and roads in the
valley have been cleared of organized resistance. Kayani was
speaking at a Corps Commanders' meeting at Army General
Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The COAS told the meeting that
the military would stay in Swat to provide security. He said
the Army would continue operations on a "limited scale" to
clear remaining hideouts and that high value targets are
being aggressively hunted. Kayani also spoke about the
"heroic resilience" of the internally displaced persons and
urged the government to launch a robust administrative effort
ISLAMABAD 00001246 002 OF 003
on the heels of the successful military operation to make it
possible for the displaced people to return to their homes as
soon as possible.
5. (U) The media ran reports on June 5 of the arrests of
Sufi Muhammad, leader of the Tehreek
Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi. The reports indicated that Sufi
Muhammad's spokesman, Maulana Ameer Izzat, and three others
were also apprehended. The arrests were said to have taken
place by security forces at the organization's headquarters
at Amandara in Malakand. But military spokesman MG Athar
Abbas, while acknowledging a raid on a madrassa in Amandara,
denied that Muhammad and the others had been arrested. Sufi
Muhammad was released from custody in April 2008 after
renouncing militancy. Earlier this year, he represented the
militants in Swat in demanding that the GOP sign the
Nizam-e-Adl Regulations, which President Zardari did on April
13. Local Embassy contacts say the arrests did take place
but the issue remains clouded. Post will continue to follow.
6. (U) In Mardan on June 4, seven security personnel were
killed in an attack by militants. The dead included a
Frontier Corps captain and a deputy superintendent of police.
For its part, the GOP military spokesman claimed that it had
killed 10 militants in Swat and Buner. There were also
reports that Abdul Wadood, a Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
commander, had been killed in a firefight with government
troops. A lesser ranking militant commander was arrested.
--------------
Humanitarian Coordination
--------------
7. (U) On June 5, the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) convened a general coordination
meeting at which Martin Mogwanja, newly appointed UN
Humanitarian Coordinator (HC),highlighted the importance of
humanitarian coordination to ensure that humanitarian
assistance is delivered efficiently, effectively and safely
to international standards. The HC intends to increase
information to donors, ensure regular cluster meetings,
facilitate donor visits to affected areas, encourage
increased media coverage of the IDP crisis, and urge specific
donor giving. The HC indicated no immediate plans to request
new Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) funding.
8. (U) According to the UK Department for International
Development (DFID) humanitarian representative June 5, the UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office has instructed UK Embassies
to demarche European governments to provide or expand support
for ongoing humanitarian efforts in Pakistan.
9. (U) On June 5, OCHA reported that the Multi-Cluster
Rapid Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) is scheduled to begin on
June 9, following training of assessment enumerators from
June 7 to June 8. The assessment, expected to last for
approximately three days, will evaluate 650 displaced
families residing in schools, host communities, and
spontaneous camps. OCHA expects to release the assessment
results on June 16. Save the Children will also shortly
release results of an assessment survey of hosted IDPs. Save
noted in a meeting with Ambassador Holbrooke that of a
sampling of 340 households in Mardan and Swabi, 35 percent of
hosted internally displaced families were hosted by family,
35 percent by friends and 30 percent by strangers. Of those
hosted by strangers only four percent paid any rent. UN
Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is also undertaking a
survey of hosted IDPs and will focus on gender issues.
10. (U) As of June 5, OCHA reported that as per the UN
financial tracking system, the UN Humanitarian Response Plan
(HRP) is 25 percent funded, an increase from 17 percent
during the previous week. Currently, the UN has received
approximately USD 136 million of the USD 543 million
requested in the HRP. However, OCHA noted that humanitarian
organizations have received an additional USD 80 million
ISLAMABAD 00001246 003 OF 003
outside of the UN's HRP for internally displaced persons
projects.
--------------
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene
--------------
11. (U) The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has ordered 25,000
hygiene kits through local suppliers in Karachi, scheduled to
arrive in seven to ten days. UNICEF is also working to
procure an additional 100,000 kits to meet NGO requests.
12. (U) UNICEF staff report that several displacement camps
are located in bowl-shaped areas, increasing the likelihood
of flooding and increased incidence of waterborne diseases
with the onset of the monsoon season in July. To date,
UNICEF has no focused planning efforts on anticipated
problems arising from monsoon season, although UNICEF reports
staff are aware of the potential problems and continue to
perform regular water-system maintenance in displacement
camps. ICRC has already begun drainage projects to protect
Shah Mansoor Camp against possible flooding.
13. (U) As of June 3, poor road infrastructure and
insecurity have impeded humanitarian access to Palai
displacement camp, Northwest Frontier Province, according to
the GOP. Approximately 185 families currently residing in
the camp lack adequate sanitation facilities and access to
clean drinking water. The GOP cautioned that with increased
expected rainfall by the end of June, the potential for
waterborne disease outbreaks will increase.
--------------
Logistics and Relief Commodities
--------------
14. (U) The DART notes that household non-food item kits
(NFI) distributed by UN agencies and humanitarian partners
cost approximately USD 120 each, but estimates and kit
composition vary between agencies. USAID's Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance-supported FNI kits, distributed through
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),serve a family
of six, and contain fleece blankets, quilts, sleeping mats,
10-liter water containers, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, and
soap.
--------------
Early Recovery
--------------
15. (U) On May 30, a GOP assessment team travelled to Loe
Sam Corridor, Bajaur District, to assess damage to water
supply and electricity infrastructure caused by August 2008
fighting. In Tang Khatta town, the team identified an acute
water shortage resulting from a damaged power supply and
water storage tank. The team also reported damaged water and
electric infrastructure in Rashaki and Loe Sam towns.
Throughout the assessed areas, the team noted limited to no
civilian population returns to date.
--------------
Security
--------------
16. (U) On June 5, the UN Habitat director in Pakistan
informed the DART team leader that UN Habitat has suspended
operations in Mardan District for a period of 48 hours,
following an IED explosion on June 4.
PATTERSON