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)


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Summary
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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.

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Ignorant Provincial Council
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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.)

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HIG Well-Organized, Well-Connected
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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.

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ANP: Drug Abusers
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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.

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Lack of Self-Reliance Challenge
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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

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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.

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Comment
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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