GOVERNOR MANGAL TELLS CHARGE OF HELMAND'S SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000910

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID AF
SUBJECT: GOVERNOR MANGAL TELLS CHARGE OF HELMAND'S SECURITY
AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES

REF: REF KABUL 587

Classified By: ChargQ d'Affaires Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

Summary
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1. (C) ChargQ dQ,Affaires Ricciardone and Helmand Governor
Gulabuddin Mangal discussed Helmand's pivotal place in the
broader Afghan strategy, security and policing, governance,
and development, in an April 8 meeting in Kabul. Governor
Mangal told the Ambassador that he had proposed to
Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) Director
Jelani Popal that the IDLG host a meeting with the United
States, United Kingdom, International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF),and others to discuss security in Helmand,
including coordination between the incoming U.S. forces and
Afghan troops. Mangal emphasized the importance of
increasing security forces in Helmand, particularly improved
policing, which he called weak, corrupt, and drug-ridden.

HelmandQ,s Pivotal Role
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2. (C) In their first meeting, ChargQ dQ,Affaires
Ricciardone and Helmand Governor Gulabuddin Mangal discussed
Helmand's pivotal place in the broader Afghanistan strategy
and the importance of Governor Mangal's strong leadership in
ensuring the success of efforts in Helmand. Ambassador
Ricciardone told Mangal that it was appropriate that his
first meeting with an Afghan Governor since his arrival in
Kabul was with Mangal, given the importance of Helmand
strategically and Mangal's own strong personal reputation.
Mangal agreed with the characterization of the difficult
strategic challenges faced in Helmand, but he emphasized his
readiness to seize the opportunities presented by the influx
of U.S. troops this summer, and welcomed enhanced cooperation
and coordination with the United States.

Security and Policing
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3. (C) Governor Mangal told the ChargQ that strengthening
security was one of his primary goals. While the increase in
troops is welcome, ISAF forces cannot bring security by
themselves, but will require close collaboration with Afghan
National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) Q)
particularly in the more populated areas, starting with
Lashkar Gah. He said that he had proposed to Independent
Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) Director Jelani Popal
that the IDLG host a meeting with the United States, United
Kingdom, International Security Assistance FORCE (ISAF),and
others to discuss security in Helmand, including coordination
between the incoming U.S. forces and Afghan troops. He also
highlighted the shortage of ANA and ANP forces, and the poor
quality of the ANP, which he called weak, corrupt, and
drug-ridden.

Development
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4. (C) Governor Mangal updated the ChargQ on several of
the major AID-funded projects underway in Helmand, including
the Kajaki Dam and the nearly complete civilian AIR strip in
Lashkar Gah. The ChargQ highlighted the importance of
economic development activity as an important element of the
strategy to diminish the attraction of the insurgency for
young men, and welcomed an invitation from the Governor to
attend the opening of the AIR strip upon its completion.
Noting the relationship of economic development to
governance, the Ambassador applauded Governor MangalQ,s focus
on governance as a means of providing quality service to the
people of Helmand.

Comment
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5. (C) Governor Mangal sought the meeting with the ChargQ,
as well as a meeting earlier in the week with the UK
Ambassador, after telling the State Department PRT
representative in Helmand that he would visit Kabul because
his job is in jeopardy as a result of recent allegations
tying him to questionable land deals in Helmand and his poor
relations with President Karzai. Mangal is coming under
pressure for a land-give-away scheme, developed by a
Commission under his authority, which resulted in the recent
removal of HelmandQ,s top Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
officials by the MoA Minister. Mangal insists he did not

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take any land and the PRT does not believe it likely he was
personally involved. However, the accusations and pressure
to more vigorously support President Karzai are taking their
toll; Mangal admitted to the State PRT representative that he
is very tired and he has a nagging illness that has produced
a noticeable weight loss.
RICCIARDONE