New Paktika Governor Makes First District Visit

UNCLAS KABUL 000515 DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR WILKES CG CJTF-101 POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM AF SUBJECT: New Paktika Governor Makes First District Visit Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Governor Katawazy, in office since mid-February, used his first trip out to a neighboring district to build relations with the local tribe, solicit their continued support for the government and urge them to encourage reconciliation in their area. The elders in turn took sharp aim at house searches by international forces and sought the governor's help in constraining such actions. That the governor was given such an earful so close to his capital raises the question of what he might hear when he gets an opportunity to travel further afield to the many more insecure parts of his province. A First Foray -------------- ¶2. (U) Newly appointed Paktika Governor Katawazay made his first foray out into the districts to meet with local leaders on March 2. Accompanied by National Directorate of Security (NDS) Provincial Chief Mohammad Yaseen, Governor Katawazay - who reportedly faced strong opposition to his recent appointment - attended the Suleimankhel tribal shura in Yusuf Khel district to discuss the concerns of district tribal elders. The shura took place in the Yusuf Khel District Center compound, and was attended by approximately 250 tribal leaders and residents from the surrounding area. Reconciliation Raised in Priority District -------------- ¶3. (U) Yusuf Khel district is located in northwestern Paktika, just south of the capital district of Sharana, and is the first district Governor Katawazay has visited since his arrival on February 14. This district is a priority area for the PRT, with rehabilitation and improvement of a dam and ancillary irrigation systems, road construction, and other projects planned or underway. ¶4. (U) Governor Katawazay delivered a short speech emphasizing that his top priority for Paktika is security. He encouraged the leaders of the Suleimankhel tribe to maintain their constructive support and improve stability throughout Paktika province. The governor also commented that President Karzai is offering the Taliban the opportunity to reconcile with the GIRoA, and he encouraged the audience to support reconciliation at the village and district levels throughout the province. More Afghan/CF Coordination and Development -------------- ¶5. (U) The tribal leaders in turn offered their full support to help GIRoA. At the same time, the elders requested that Governor Katawazay help reduce the number of non-coordinated compound searches, and recommended all searches be conducted with at least one tribal elder and/or a mullah from the village. Taza Gul, one of the tribal leaders, said the people of Paktika will no longer tolerate the foreign fighters' "oppression" and that they are all ready to stand together with GIRoA to help facilitate the implementation of more development projects. Ismatullah, the education director of Yusuf Khel District, urged the people to support educational projects and help the populace of Paktika become educated and serve their country and province. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) This trip was fairly standard for governor-tribal engagements these days, including the complaints about house searches. The PRT will monitor how well the new governor manages such concerns and any resulting tensions. That he received such an earful in such a relatively secure area so close to the provincial capital suggests the challenges he will face in this regard when he travels further afield out into decidedly insecure areas of Paktika. DELL