Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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10KABUL542 | 2010-02-13 07:28:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kabul |
VZCZCXRO3594 OO RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBUL #0542/01 0440728 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 130728Z FEB 10 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5557 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000542 |
1. (C/REL NATO) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: With the express purpose of establishing acceptable dispute mechanisms and connecting the Seyadabad District government to the people of the extremely volatile Tangi Valley in Wardak Province, acting District Sub-Governor (DSG) Hajji Niematullah convened a surprisingly productive shura of 77 elders in his native Tangi valley in early January. Seyadabad is one of four Regional Command-East (RC-East) focus pilot districts and among the first tranche of ISAF Joint Command,s (IJC) key terrain districts. As such, the event represents a small, but significant opening similar to other GIRoA-led grassroots reintegration developments taking place elsewhere in the more restive regions eastern Afghanistan. Niematullah reportedly enjoys increasing support among Wardak-based Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Coalition, as well as Governor Mohammad Halin Fidai. Fidai, who strongly endorses agricultural and educational development as a means of hindering the growth of the insurgency, is considering extending Niematullah,s tenure based on his effectiveness in this critical district. End summary and comment. TALIBAN REINTEGRATION IN WARDAK -- SMALL OPENING IN SEYADABAD -------------------------- -------------------------- 2. (C/REL NATO) Although the Coalition Forces (CF) facilitated various details of the shura and provided some additional transportation assets, security, and of course the return of the detainee, the shura was a district government event with most security provided by the ANSF. The central government was not involved in this locally-generated event. Acting Seyadabad Sub-Governor Hajji Niematullah personally greeted each of the participating 77 elders representing residents of the volatile Tangi Valley, a well-known area of Wardak Province marked by particularly virulent insurgent violence that has frustrated GIRoA and Coalition overtures for years. Niematullah drew on the Quran in presenting the case for laying down arms, cooperation with GIRoA, and reintegration into Afghan civil society. He encouraged the Afghans to bring him their disputes, petitions for community-based development projects, and urgent pleas for humanitarian relief ) as a native son of the Tangi Valley from a poor farming family, he proclaimed, he would work to address the people,s needs with the support of the Afghan government and international community. In an effort to demonstrate his good faith intentions, Niematullah released a young insurgent detainee of the local ANSF into the custody of the shura elders, a time-honored act meant to empower such traditional dispute mechanisms. 3. (C/REL NATO) The acting Sub-Governor was nonetheless vigorously challenged during the course of the shura by prominent negative influencers that asserted the people of Tangi reject foreign influence and a corrupt Afghan government. Speakers blamed the Karzai government for the lack of security and accused the Coalition of ignoring Pushtuns as the &true8 Afghans; the Taliban are &brothers, fathers and sons.8 Coalition use of dogs and night raids by CF were cited as examples of disrespect of Afghan citizens in the Tangi Valley. Niematuallah appeared to be defensive during this part of the shura and did not respond to the comments. TANGIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRICT OUTREACH -------------------------- 4. (C/REL NATO) Lively throughout, the shura lasted approximately five hours. Because we believed that the large CF presence may have encouraged some grandstanding among the speakers, who addressed their remarks largely to the CF representatives, a decision was made to withdraw from the vicinity of the shura. This move had a positive effect by forcing the Afghans to speak with each other rather than with us. Niematuallah was able to regain the initiative and the remainder of the shura focused on his agenda of development and reintegration. At times, the Afghan district government representative was surrounded by elders and their tone became conciliatory as he was able to convince them of GIRoA,s intent and his sincerity. 5. (C/REL NATO) Following the shura, Hajji Niematullah reported an unprecedented number of Tangi Valley residents visiting the District Center in Seyadabad to apply for KABUL 00000542 002.2 OF 002 citizens, services ) a transformative and tangible effect of his outreach to an otherwise insurgent-dominated populace. Shura representatives also formally petitioned the Sub-Governor for a new women,s clinic and mosque, road improvements, and even resolution of several minor disputes. Mullahs agreed to register their mosques in order to receive Afghan government support. Governor Fidai himself visited Sayedebad subsequently to endorse and underscore Niematullah,s efforts and to encourage the Sub-Governor to extend them by holding further shuras throughout the Tangi Valley. COMMENT -------------------------- 6. (C/REL) Niematullah is impressive, works closely with the Coalition, and radiates a sense of honesty and integrity. A teacher, he lacks some rhetorical skills in public in this society that prizes the oral tradition, but his straightforward manner carries the day. Seyadabad is one of four RC-East focus pilot districts in partnership with GIRoA, and among the first tranche of IJC,s key terrain districts. As such, the event represents a small, but significant opening not unlike other GIRoA-led grassroots developments taking place elsewhere in the more restive regions of RC-East (reftel). 7. (C/REL) Niematullah, although in an acting capacity as DSG, reportedly enjoys increasing support among Wardak-based ANSF authorities and the Coalition, as well as Governor Mohammad Halin Fidai. Fidai strongly endorses agricultural and educational development as means of hindering the growth of the insurgency, and is reportedly considering extending Niematullah,s tenure based on his effectiveness in this critical district. In a 2008 Newsweek interview, Fidai asserted: &The insurgents (of Wardak) don,t have a place in the people,s hearts.8 Our interagency security and development efforts under the RC-East joint campaign plan remain sharply focused on this pilot district and view this opening as a positive development; Fidai and Sub-Governor Niematullah are potentially strong partners to reintegrate Tangi Valley Taliban. End comment. Eikenberry |