PANJSHIR: THE PROVINCE THAT WORKS - PART I

UNCLAS KABUL 000526

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 SNAR AF

SUBJECT: PANJSHIR: THE PROVINCE THAT WORKS - PART I

SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) Panjshir province is a unique success story within
Afghanistan. Having achieved unparalleled security, poppy-free
status, and solid governance largely free from corruption, Panjshir
has set the stage for further development, including roads and
mining. The Panjshiris have accomplished all of this with no
Coalition forces other than the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team
(PRT),no Afghan National Army (ANA),few NGOs, and limited
resources from Kabul. This cable addresses security and
counter-narcotics in Panjshir, while Part II will address governance
and development.

SECURITY
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2. (SBU) In the second half of 2008, there were no significant
security incidents in Panjshir. The reasons for this unparalleled
security, accomplished with no ANA or Coalition maneuver forces,
include strong provincial leadership, rugged geography,
mono-ethnicity (Tajik),and Panjshir's Mujahedeen culture. This
security starts at the only easily-accessible vehicular entrance to
the province -- the "Lion's Gate." Afghan National Police (ANP)
carefully scrutinize vehicles passing through the gate, with random
vehicle searches common. Even nomadic Kuchis passing through the
gate are required to individually register when entering and
departing Panjshir. At the heart of Panjshir's success is what the
PRT calls the "neighborhood watch" -- an informal network of
Mujahedeen, mullahs and ordinary villagers throughout the valley.
They effectively function as the eyes and ears of the provincial ANP
and National Directorate for Security (NDS). The governor actively
utilizes this network, transmitting word of security threats through
Panjshir's 669 mosques, which then alert villagers to be especially
vigilant.


3. (SBU) Concerned over instability in several of the seven
provinces that border Panjshir, Governor Bahlol would like to see an
increase in the number of ANP in the province from the current
authorization of 630 to at least 750. Sufficient fuel for the ANP's
vehicles remains an on-going problem, with ANP commanders regularly
approaching the PRT for fuel. While the governor is very much at
home exercising leadership over the ANP and NDS in the valley, he
has told the PRT he would not like any additional ANA in Panjshir
beyond the few soldiers guarding MOD weapons stockpiles and a small
ANA recruiting post presently in the province. Unlike the ANP, most
of whom are Panjshiri and act under the direction of the governor,
ANA forces would be drawn from all over Afghanistan and would be
operationally under the control of the central government.


4. (SBU) Panjshir actively cooperates with UNAMA in the Disbandment
of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) process, with the Anaba district
declared Afghanistan's first "Peaceful District" under Phase IV of
DIAG. The governor has, however, complained that UNAMA is taking
too long in providing the $300,000 in DIAG award money promised to
Anaba, and said that other districts will not turn in additional
weapons until UNAMA makes good on the money already promised. While
Governor Bahlol has on several occasions told the PRT that UNAMA has
disarmed the Panjshiri Mujahedeen, this claim is effectively
impossible to verify given the countless potential hiding places for
weapons throughout the valley. Furthermore, the governor has also
clearly stated that Mujahedeen will defend the province against any
potential Taliban attack, suggesting they still posses the means to
do so.

COUNTER-NARCOTICS
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5. (SBU) In recognition of its poppy-free status, Panjshir received
$1.4 million in funding in 2008 under the Good Performance
Initiative (GPI). Panjshir elected to use the funds for the
purchase of farm tractors, threshers and trailers, along with
approximately 95,000 fruit trees, and seven green houses.
Panjshir's poppy-free status was briefly in question in fall 2008
when a PRT visit to a remote village exposed approximately two acres
of poppies under cultivation. The PRT reported the find to the
governor, who immediately dispatched the provincial ANP commander
along with approximately 40 ANP to the village to destroy the plants
and arrest their cultivators. A subsequent visit to the village
confirmed that the poppies had in fact been eradicated.

DELL