PRT NURISTAN: GOVERNOR JAMALUDDIN OFF TO A SLOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000382

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM AF
SUBJECT: PRT NURISTAN: GOVERNOR JAMALUDDIN OFF TO A SLOW
START

Classified By: PRT Director Valerie C. Fowler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)

Summary
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1. (C) Nearly three months after his appointment as
governor, Jamaluddin Badr has yet to make an impact on key
political, security and development issues in Nuristan.
Jamaluddin,s analysis of the situation does, however,
demonstrate a critical understanding of the province,s most
important issues. The governor agrees that key ineffective
district administrators need to be replaced, that the
provincial line directors and the Provincial Development
Council (PDC) need to be energized, and that deteriorating
security in certain districts must be addressed. Jamaluddin
frequently requests support from the PRT, which accommodates
as appropriate, but his alleged efforts to obtain resources
or decisions from GIRoA have proven unsuccessful. The
Nuristani public is beginning to question the governor,s
honesty and his ability to address the province,s numerous
troubles.

The First Three Months
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2. (C) Governor Jamaluddin Badr spent his first three months
in office getting acquainted with Nuristan,s capital, Parun,
and assessing the provincial and district governments and
police. Like his predecessor, he concludes that the
government and the police are neither functional nor
competent. He is reportedly seeking the dismissal and
replacement of his deputy and four of Nuristan,s seven
district administrators. (Note: Jamaluddin's predecessor
sought to have many of the same officials replaced.)
Jamaluddin considers the provincial police chief to be honest
but notes that he wields limited power and resides
predominantly in Kabul. The governor meets with PRT officials
alone, stressing that he does not trust anyone in his
government and adding that he has few allies in Kabul.

Security Concerns
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3. (C) Jamaluddin expresses a strong interest in security
for his home district of Bargi Matal but has not yet
addressed the province,s most security-challenged districts
of Waygal and Kamdesh. Security in these areas continues to
deteriorate and the Afghan government exercises little or no
power. The governor has requested a battalion of Afghan army
soldiers for the province but the request has thus far been
refused by the Defense Ministry. Jamaluddin has also
requested additional offensive military operations from
Coalition Forces, and he comments that the U.S. is too soft
and overly concerned with civilian casualties. Despite
pressure from the PRT for the governor to coordinate security
issues with the Kunar governor, no effort has been visibly
made. Jamaluddin is increasingly worried about his personal
safety while in Parun and reportedly rarely travels outside
of his compound. (Note: The central valley road is dangerous
south of Parun to Kunar, however, other officials who do not
have personal security use the road.) Jamaluddin is
concerned that the police are corrupt, possibly colluding
with the enemy, and do not offer him adequate protection.

Development Focus
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4. (SBU) The governor,s current development focus is on key
provincial roads and beautification (and city planning) of
the capital. Jamaluddin claims he has very few resources
from the central government. As a result, he is a frequent
caller to the PRT, requesting funding for a laundry list of
items including staff, personal security guards, satellite
phones, computers, and a massive governor's complex similar
to Nangarhar Governor Sherzai,s Jalalabad compound. The
governor convened a Provincial Development Council (PDC)
meeting in January 2009. While the meeting lacked
organization and focus, the fact that it occurred was notable
(it is only the second PDC since at least early 2008). The
governor has a strong interest in the PRT,s project
contracting, but has been dissuaded by PRT officials from
personally recommending contractors.

Comment
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5. (C) Many politically-minded Nuristanis are beginning to
question the governor,s effectiveness and honesty. He is
increasingly criticized for taking no significant action
during his first three months in office.

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