DEPUTY SECRETARY LEW REVIEWS CIVILIAN INCREASE IN HELMAND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003056 DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA USFOR-A FOR POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS SNAR PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY LEW REVIEWS CIVILIAN INCREASE IN HELMAND ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a September 9 visit to PRT Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province, Deputy Secretary of State Lew, USAID Administrator Fulgham and Ambassador Eikenberry reviewed current PRT operations and examined the impact of additional U.S. officers and their life support requirements. Supporting U.S. officers' freedom of movement was a key concern and they examined different options. Governor Mangal briefed on a successful past year and highlighted the reduction in poppy cultivation and improved security infrastructure. The Governor welcomed continued U.S. support, adding that additional U.S. civilians were needed to work in areas recently cleared of enemy forces. END SUMMARY. Support at the PRT and District Levels -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Deputy Secretary Lew visited PRT Lashkar Gah on September 9, receiving an update on its current operations. UK and U.S. PRT leadership briefed on the ongoing work of their stabilization officers, who were first based at the district level in January 2008 and now there are officers in seven district centers. Joint teams of UK and U.S. officers are working well together in Nawa, Garmsir and Kanashin, working with local officials improving security and governance, and directly supported by the UK-led PRT based in Lashkar Gah. Officers work with the UK and U.S. development agencies to support reconstruction efforts, obtaining funding from the PRT or the U.S. military. Registration Materials Required -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Secretary Lew asked how the PRT arranges transport for officers at the PRT and district levels and the impact this has on regular freedom of movement. PRT leadership reported that movement of UK, Danish, Estonian and U.S. staff based at the PRT is provided in part by a UK civilian contractor, Armor Group International, as well as by a USAID implementing partner's personal security contract with Global Services. This service also provided security for stabilization officers in Garmsir, Gereshk and Nad Ali, when visiting the PRT, and will be important to enhanced operations at the district level. The PRT briefers emphasized the important role the security group plays in ensuring mobility of U.S. civilians helping build governance capacity in Helmand. Officers based at the PRT conduct the bulk of their meeting in government facilities and attend Afghan functions as the support permits. They emphasized that the security support allows broad freedom of movement in the larger district centers and, as security expands, can adjust the area of operation as needed. (Note: The Global Services private security contract has since ended, following the completion of the USAID implementing partner's contract. The loss of this contract, in addition to the dramatic increase in U.S. staff at the PRT and District Support Teams (DSTs),has reduced mobility of U.S. civilians in Helmand by more than three-quarters from prior to the civilian increase.) Mangal Highlight Success -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Governor Mangal welcomed Secretary Lew, delivering a detailed list of his administration's achievements over the past year. Helmand poppy reduction was a historic achievement for all those involved, he said, showing provincial residents that their government can deliver support and help farmers adjust their crops to legal agriculture. He thanked USAID for their excellent support in completing the Bost Airfield, noting that the return of civilian air service to Helmand was badly needed. Helmand residents welcomed the completion of this project and the subsequent commercial air services now using the Airfield. Mangal also noted that the completion of the Provincial Police Headquarters was a great benefit to the Afghan Security forces and helped coordinate security efforts across the Province. Additional Support Required -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Secretary Lew asked Mangal if additional U.S. civilians could help support stabilization efforts across Helmand. Mangal replied that U.S. officers at the PRT had been involved in every stabilization effort and the State PRT officer had played a key role in the Kanashin operation. Stabilization officers support the local officials and help bring together district councils that help plan the redevelopment of the badly damaged areas. He reported that District Councils in Nad Ali, Garmsir and Gereshk, are functioning and ready to implement larger programs if they can receive more support from Kabul. Mangal concluded that with PRT support his administration had improved governance from the provincial to the district level but more help was needed from all ministries in Kabul. He emphasized that increased assistance and technical expertise would help him expand governance and that an increased KABUL 00003056 002 OF 002 presence of Afghan National Security Forces would help broaden the secure areas around Helmand and Southern Afghanistan. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Secretary Lew's visit highlighted the successful growth in U.S. officer presence in Helmand but also demonstrated that security and logistical concerns must be addressed if the civilian increase is to have an impact. Freedom of movement for new staff is critical to implementing U.S. policy on the ground and extra security resources are needed at the provincial and district levels. Eikenberry