LAGHMAN GOVERNOR ON INSURGENTS, POLICE, PROVINCIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002464 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID SNAR KJUS AF SUBJECT: LAGHMAN GOVERNOR ON INSURGENTS, POLICE, PROVINCIAL COUNCIL Classified By: Interagency Provincial Affairs Deputy Coordinator Hoyt Y ee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) - - - - - Summary - - - - - ¶1. (C/NF) According to Laghman Governor Lutfullah Mashal, Laghman's provincial council does not understand its duties or role, and its deputy chairman, he alleged, is a member of the insurgent group Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG). The governor predicted that HIG would "do well in the elections." Mashal called the quality of Afghan National Police (ANP) "very low," and said drug abuse was rife in its ranks. He also complained that the local population suffered from a lack of "self-reliance." End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ignorant Provincial Council - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (C/NF) In a recent series of meetings with the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT),Mashal gave his candid assessment of the security and political situation of the province. The governor characterized the Laghman Provincial Council as a "big problem," saying the members were uneducated and had "no understanding or knowledge of the country's problems." In addition, the governor claimed members were constantly trying to "interfere" with his administration of the province, and that they exceeded their authority by going directly to lower level officials instead of working through proper channels. He said the council members performed poorly last year, and paid no visits to constituents to hear their problems. "Their purpose is to mediate between the government and the people, but they don't do it," Mashal complained. ¶3. (C/NF) Mashal claimed that two (unnamed) council members had recently misinterpreted British General Sir David Richards' remark that the UK would be involved in Afghanistan for 40 years, to the effect that the UK maintained imperial designs on Afghanistan. As a result, they had persuaded local mullahs to adopt a declaration condemning General Richards' statement. (Note: We have since heard from locals that General Richards' statement is getting widespread negative attention throughout the province. End note.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HIG Well-Organized, Well-Connected - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - ¶4. (C/NF) Mashal accused provincial council Deputy Chairman Gulazar Sangarwal of being an HIG member. In support of his allegation, the governor claimed that after a bungled roadside bombing several months ago, one of the bombers was injured, captured by Afghan security forces, and taken to a local hospital. The bomber allegedly received a telephone call soon after arriving at the hospital telling him not to worry; an HIG leader would soon come to rescue him. According to the governor, Sangarwal arrived ten minutes later and attempted to have the patient released immediately from custody. (Note: Sangarwal is an ethnic Pashtun from Alingar District. He is campaigning for reelection, but we have no information as to his prospects. End note.) ¶5. (C/NF) Mashal characterized the HIG in Laghman as "well-organized politically," and claimed that "they will do well in the elections." Mashal said that HIG "shared a common purpose" with the Taliban, and often coordinated with them, but he added that they were distinct groups, and frequently "conflicts" emerged. Most improvised explosive device (IED) and rocket attacks in the province were the work of HIG, Mashal added. - - - - - - - - - ANP: Drug Abusers - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (C/NF) Mashal heaped scorn upon the ANP, calling them "drug addicts," and "ignorant locals." He claimed that 80 percent of its members used hashish or harder drugs. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lack of Self-Reliance Challenge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. (C/NF) Asked about his greatest challenges, Mashal said that "self-reliance (of the local population) needs to grow." In the governor,s view, the government should provide KABUL 00002464 002 OF 002 technical help, but not much more. "The government digs a well, that's what it is supposed to do. But here the people want us to pump the water, put it in a bucket, take it to their homes, pour it into glasses, and hold the glasses to their lips," Mashal said. - - - - - Comment - - - - - ¶8. (C/NF) While the veracity of Mashal's allegations - especially his charges against Sangarwal and the ANP ) is unclear, his general frustrations with the provincial council, the ANP, and with citizens, attitude toward their government appear to be widely shared. PRT Mehtarlam will continue its efforts to assist provincial and local officials with good governance, to connect locals to their government and help them understand their government's functions and limitations, and to raise the quality of the ANP. End Comment. EIKENBERRY