AFGHAN GOVERNORS REMIND EUROPEANS WHY THEY ARE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000186 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS NATO PREL SUBJECT: AFGHAN GOVERNORS REMIND EUROPEANS WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN REF: ROME 000456 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The governors of Afghanistan's Bamian and Farah Provinces visited Brussels 23-24 April on the final leg of a week long program sponsored jointly by USNATO, and Embassies Kabul, The Hague and Rome. Over the course of two days in Brussels, the governors gave first-hand accounts of progress, hopes and needs in Afghanistan in separate meetings with European Union (EU) and NATO officials, the media and at a think tank event. European publics and officials rarely get an unfiltered view of Afghanistan, and this program gave them that. The exceptional turnout at all events and the keen media interest in the governors point to the hunger there is in Europe for these kinds of voices. The meetings provided clear indication that putting a face on Afghanistan through direct contact between Afghans and Europeans is an effective communication tool in encouraging European assistance in Afghanistan. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Governor Habiba Sarabi of Bamian Province and Governor Roohul Amin of Farah Province visited Brussels on 23-24 April on a USNATO-and Embassy Kabul-sponsored tour of three European Capitals. At an event hosted by the U.S. Mission to the European Union (USEU),they met with more than thirty EU representatives, including EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) ambassadors, Permanent Representatives to the EU, diplomats, and Belgian MFA officials. These high-level participants who deal with Afghanistan related issues on a regular basis were enthusiastic for both the initiative and the information it brought them, especially as the EU was undergoing "soul-searching" and policy reviews on how to help in Afghanistan. They described the opportunity to speak directly with Afghans as "rare." One PSC ambassador complimented the governors for "a most refreshing and encouraging discussion," and said to be able to talk about the successes of construction infrastructure and developing tourism, as the governors did, was a real confidence builder. ¶3. (U) The Carnegie Institute of Europe hosted a discussion attended by more than 60 individuals from European institutions, prominent Brussels think-tanks, NATO international staff, journalists and others. Moderated by Shada Islam of the European Policy Center, the event opened with briefings by the governors on their respective provinces, noting areas of progress and issues of lingering concern. Governor Sarabi highlighted Bamian Province's successes in areas such as health care and reduction of poppy production but recognized the province still suffers from extreme poverty, is geographically isolated and is still in need of greater international aid. Governor Amin noted the improving security situation in Farah Province and the good coordination between the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Army (ANA) but acknowledged the major issue of continued poppy production in Farah and its links to the Taliban. On the upcoming elections, both governors were optimistic that successful, transparent, elections can occur with the help of the international community. In responding to questions, both governors spoke frankly on topics such as shortfalls in coordination of international assistance, women's rights, corruption in the government and law enforcement, and the prospects of reconciliation with moderate Taliban. ¶4. (SBU) In separate meetings with NATO and ISAF Ambassadors and the working level ISAF committee at NATO headquarters, both governors stressed the need for a national budget with balanced distribution of funds based on Provincial Development Plans. They also suggested that Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) need more transparency regarding the funding of projects. They reminded participants that governors have no control over the budget and only act as facilitators. More than one occasion, Governor Sarabi noted the discrepancy of funding to PRTs noting that &problem8 provinces receive all the attention and thus funding. Both governors agreed that there is merit in working with and maintaining stability in the provinces that have fewer security concerns -- especially through international aid commitments toward better livelihoods, service delivery, and infrastructure development. Governor Amin stated in several USNATO 00000186 002 OF 002 meetings that "We should show that where Afghan people are supporting the provincial government, they are getting services,8 as opposed to the destruction and chaos that exists where the Taliban have control. They also noted the importance of working with the local tribal elders to determine needs and priorities when planning reconstruction projects, noting that the public will defend projects it "owns.8 Both governors also underscored the need for ISAF to have bases outside of provincial capitals at the district level noting there are great dividends when troops get out on patrol to meet and interact with local people. Governor Sarabi stressed the importance of ISAF and PRT patrols in adjacent provinces coordinating with each other to secure provincial border areas. ¶5. (SBU) In Brussels, both governors did interviews with several major Belgian and international media outlets. The governors reached tens of millions of people via both print and broadcast media, with a full-page interview in Flemish daily De Staandard and a two-minute story on Belgium,s major French-language station RTL-TV1, as well as interviews with BBC Radio, BBC World TV, and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe among others. These interviews helped to shed light on the new &family law8 with both governors stating that it is unconstitutional and that they are confident that it will be repealed following the presidential review. Much of the media also seized on the story of the first national park that just opened in Governor Sarabi,s Bamian Province. Most importantly, the governors used the media to remind Europeans that the reason they are sending troops and aid to Afghanistan is not only for Afghanistan but for Europe,s safety and security as well. ¶6. (SBU) Brussels was the final stop on a week-long European trip. The governors visited Rome and The Hague before arriving in Brussels. Visits by Afghan leaders to European capitals is rare and both the turn-out at events and the comments made by participants point to the hunger that exists by Europeans to hear directly from candid Afghan voices. Programs like this are a powerful tool in reminding Europeans why they are sending troops and resources to Afghanistan. BYRNES