Herat: Iran Support for Afghan Rail and Air Service

UNCLAS KABUL 000705 DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM, NEA/IR STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA USFOR-A FOR POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM AF IR SUBJECT: Herat: Iran Support for Afghan Rail and Air Service Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Herat Governor Nuristani discounted recent press reports that suggested the railroad from Khaf City in Iran to Herat City in Afghanistan is 60-90 percent completed. Iran pledged to assist Afghanistan in building the rail line for 60 km from the border towards Herat, and many of the culverts, bridges, and railbeds in this area have been constructed. However, Afghanistan has not taken any steps to meet its pledge to build the final 50 km of railway leading into Herat. Governor Nuristani is seeking funding from the Afghan central budget, but speculated that Iran might pay the Afghan share to complete the rail line. Additionally, a new air service is set to begin March 24 between Herat and Mahhad, Iran. Iran's Share of Rail Line is Progressing -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Governor Nuristani and his Executive Office Implementation Director, Asiluddin Jami, told the State PRT Representative that work had progressed on the 180 km rail line between Herat, Afghanistan and Khaf City in Iran, but discounted the press reports suggesting the rail link is nearing completion. The problem, he said, is the Afghan side of the funding requirements. Iran is funding the segment being built in Iran to the Afghan border, and the first 60 km on the Afghan side of the border. The Governor said that work is continuing on this Afghan segment, with many culverts, bridges, and railbeds constructed. A key worry for the Iran side is security for personnel and the completed infrastructure. The Iranian Consul had been in to see the Governor three times in the past month pressing on security issues. GIRoA Rail Activities are Non-existent -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The GIRoA is responsible for funding the final 50 km of rail line inside Afghanistan, which would bring the railroad to the western approaches of Herat city. Work on this segment is virtually non-existent, the Governor said. To date, the GIRoA has not budgeted any funds for the project nor purchased railroad right of way on the land. The Governor said he dispatched officials from the provincial Public Works Department recently to Kabul to ensure that approximately two million dollars is earmarked for this project in the Afghan budget. He speculated, though, that Iran might foot the bill for this segment as well. New Air Connections between Herat and Mahhad -------------- ¶4. (U) In addition to the new rail line, travel agent Ariana may begin weekly direct lights from Kabul to Herat to Mahhad, Iran as early as Tuesday, March 24, the first Tuesday in the Afghan new year. Return route would likely be Mashhad to Kabul to Herat, with the possibility of another stop in the north, perhaps Mazar-e Sharif. Ariana Airlines reportedly will use a 727 Boeing aircraft, with a passenger capacity varying from 108 to 155. Parastoo Travel Agency, an Iranian tourism agency, will issue tickets once passengers obtain a visa from the Iranian consulate. The Afghan Border Police (ABP) based at Herat Airport will be responsible for security checks, but they have not received any special equipment or guidelines yet. Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Completion of the rail line will significantly augment the commercial, political, and social ties between Iran, western Afghanistan, and Central Asia. According to statements by senior leaders, long-term plans include tying together by rail Herat and Maimana in Faryab province and eventually across northern Afghanistan to connect with Tajikistan. However, that is a much bigger investment traversing more difficult topography and some presently insecure areas. The progression of the rail line is another manifestation of Iran's expansion of its historical ties to the region, but as demonstrated by the Iranian Consul's preoccupation with security on the first segment inside Afghanistan, Iran's activities in Afghanistan are also limited by instability and criminal activities. WOOD