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

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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