Paktika Governor Continues Outreach to Districts

UNCLAS KABUL 000642 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: PHUM PGOV AF SUBJECT: Paktika Governor Continues Outreach to Districts REF: Kabul 515 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU): Paktika's new governor, Abdul Qayum Katawazay, continues a strong push to establish his effectiveness and assure the tribes of Paktika that he will serve all the province's tribes equitably. In recent meetings with the leaders of Orgun, Khair Kot, and neighboring districts, the governor and other provincial officials accompanying him responded to the people's concerns about lack of adequate health, education, and agricultural services. Katawazay has confided to PRT his desire to move forward with broad reconciliation initiatives in concert with Paktika's tribal leaders and his need for Embassy assistance in this effort. As anticipated before Katawazay's arrival, some Paktika figures have expressed unhappiness with the new leadership because of his tribe or his background; on the whole, however, Katawazay appears to be off to a good start, with visits to additional districts planned for the coming weeks. Orgun and Sarobi Leaders call for Health, Agriculture, and Education Assistance -------------- ¶2. (U) On March 10, PRT Paktika facilitated Governor Katawazay's travel by air to Orgun, the province's largest town, and accompanied him to an outdoor meeting of some 150 tribal and religious leaders from Orgun and neighboring Sarobi districts. Orgun district administrator Azizullah opened the meeting and complained that Orgun, despite having good security conditions in relation to the rest of the province, does not receive enough development projects. He listed needs for more teachers; more clinics, doctors, and medical equipment; irrigation systems; animal clinics and veterinarians; paving of the road from Orgun through Ziruk district and north to Khost province; and programs for orphans, widows, and youth. Shura members from Orgun and Sarobi districts, the director of the Orgun hospital, and the Orgun prosecutor (one of only two in Paktika) echoed these concerns, while a respected former mujaheddin commander from the Zadran tribe, Zakim Khan, called on the people and the tribes to take more responsibility for solving their problems. (Comment: Despite these complaints of lack of projects, Orgun has in fact benefited from many PRT and maneuver unit projects and the PRT is very focused on development in the district.) ¶3. (U) Governor Katawazay responded directly to the concerns raised, dividing the major problems into security and economic development. Katawazay said ANSF would carry out more patrols and ambushes to counter enemy activity, stressed the need for secular and religious schools to deter youth from joining enemy forces, and called on the people to deny refuge to the Taliban. He also noted the PRT's support for projects in the area, such as the Orgun hospital and paving of the Sharana-Orgun road (a major project that has faced security-related delays). In response to closing remarks by the maulawi (religious leader) of the Orgun mosque, Katawazay took the podium a second time to pledge, as he had previously in Yusuf Khel district (reftel),that CF and ANSF would coordinate on house searches, while detainees should not be released unconditionally but only upon review of their cases. Provincial Council Chairman Nawab Waziri called for national unity to overcome the challenges facing Afghanistan. He recalled the historical role of the tribes of Paktika in providing security and urged tribal and religious leaders to work together to solve their problems and participate in the development of the province. Khair Kot Region Echoes Concerns -------------- ¶4. (U) Many of the same themes emerged in the Governor's meeting in Khair Kot district, which attracted an estimated 800 participants from Khair Kot and neighboring Yaya Khel, Baki Khel, Shakhilabad, and Khushamond districts. Leaders from these districts likewise raised low education levels, insufficient medical facilities, and agricultural problems as their greatest challenges, as well as lack of support from the central government. They expressed great enthusiasm for the appointment of a member of the local Suleimankhel (Pashtun) tribe as governor, calling it an historic moment. The local ANA battalion commander noted that the tribal leaders spoke well about supporting the government and contributing to security, yet improvised explosive devices (IEDs)continued to be placed on the road leading from Sharana to Khair Kot despite the tribes' responsibility to prevent such enemy activity. ¶5. (U) PC Chairman Waziri praised the proud history of the Suleimankhel and repeated his call for unity among the tribes. He noted that a large portion of funds spent on National Solidarity Program projects in Paktika was wasted or mishandled and called on the people to be good stewards of all development projects, including those of the PRT and Coalition Forces. Governor Supports Obama's Reconciliation Message; Asks for Support -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Governor Katawazay reiterated in Khair Kot his messages on security and development, as well as house searches and detainees, noting that he had heard Taliban were pressuring tribal leaders to come to his office to demand release of detainees. He urged the people to send their children to school as the new school year begins this month and assured them that school books in use are consistent with Islam. He emphasized that he intends to serve all the tribes of Paktika fairly. He also expressed support for President Obama's recent remarks regarding talking with reconcilable Taliban. Privately, Katawazay told State PRT Officer that various tribal leaders had approached him regarding reconciliation with Taliban belonging to their tribes, and he asked for the Embassy's support in developing an initiative to move forward in coordination with the Afghan government. A Homecoming and Family Ties -------------- ¶7. (U) On the return trip to Sharana, Governor Katawazay requested a stop in his hometown of Seygana Village, Khair Kot district, to visit his relatives still living there. Hundreds of villagers came out to see the convoy, and many talked to PRT. While in the village, PRT learned from the local school director that the Seygana village girls' school has 500 students -- a rare success for girls' education in Paktika -- and two of the Governor's sisters teach there. Governor Katawazay is related to other important local figures, including the district administrator and mayor of Khair Kot, and his brother is the NDS chief for Orgun district. He has also brought a brother on as a tribal affairs advisor. A Few Sour Notes, but Outlook Positive -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Before Katawazay's official appointment, PRT heard of widespread concerns based on his affiliation with one of the province's tribes and his activities during the time of the Soviet occupation. Since his arrival, one line director (Labor and Social Affairs) has requested to resign, although his resignation has not yet been accepted. Another hinted to PRT that the governor appointed a difficult new deputy director (a tribal leader from Khair Kot district, also named Katawazay) to encourage him to resign as well. The district administrator of one district recently complained about the governor's communist-era activities. (Katawazay graduated from the military college in Kabul in 1986 and is presumed to have worked for the security services during the Soviet occupation; this may be why his office has yet to provide a biography covering that period.) While somewhat distanced by his professional career from the Paktika grassroots (he acknowledged to PRT upon his arrival, for example that he was not accustomed to wearing a turban),Katawazay is working hard to reach out to all the province's major tribes. In addition to his own engagements, he has also put in place a new deputy governor, Jum Mohammad, from the eastern Zadran tribe. Katawazay's approach appears to be working thus far. PRT will continue to assist him in reaching out to the districts, with additional trips planned for the coming weeks. ¶9. (U) PRT Commander has reviewed this cable. WOOD