Cablegate: Cn Meeting with Governor of Badakhshan in Kabul

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 005120

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL/FO AND SA/FO AMB QUINN
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN/KAMEND

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL PGOV PTER KCRM AF
SUBJECT: CN MEETING WITH GOVERNOR OF BADAKHSHAN IN KABUL

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At a December 6, 2005 meeting at the
Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN), Badakhshan Governor
Majeed spoke about rural development assistance and
reduction of opium cultivation with MCN Minister Qaderi and
representatives of the MCN, UK Embassy, and US Embassy.
Several members of the Badakhshan Provincial Council, as
well as newly-elected parliamentarians attended the meeting.
End Summary.

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED
-----------------------------

2. (SBU) The governor and other provincial representatives
agreed that Badakshan was neglected and poverty-stricken
with no social services and infrastructure. The governor
said that no visible or large-scale projects were evident in
Badakhshan; such projects are needed to convince the
populace that the GOA and donor community are addressing
their needs. Consensus was reached on the need for roads,
health care, education, potable water and electricity.

3. (SBU) All parties agreed that the donors and the GOA
need to consult and coordinate activities. The Governor
mentioned one example where he did not support a recent
canal cleaning project but decided not to counter the idea
as he didn't want to be seem as being in conflict with the
donor or international community. The fact that the
population does not usually appreciate the scale of
donations also arose. MCN Minister Qaderi was himself
startled to hear that DFID has committed USD 30 million to
projects in Badakhshan over three years.

PROBLEMS WITH POPPY
-------------------

4. (SBU) Counter Narcotics Task Force (CNTF) Director Doug
Wankel stressed to the governor the dangers of opium
production, highlighting the impact that it has on the local
population, both in terms of addiction and health, as well
as damage to the environment through the use of chemicals in
the heroin labs. Wankel congratulated the Governor on
achieving a 50% reduction in poppy cultivation from the
previous year, but cautioned that he can not afford to be
complacent, particularly when reports exist that growth is
on the rise this year.

5. (SBU) The Governor said that he also believed that
production was increasing and was prepared to conduct
eradication this year and highlighted the importance of
eradication being comprehensive. He added that leaving one
field untouched while eradicating an adjacent field was
problematic. The Governor ended the discussion by pledging
his unconditional support to the fight against poppy: "I am
all against this evil."

CN JIRGA PLANNED
----------------

7. (SBU) A CN jirga (a tribal assembly which takes
decisions by consensus) in Feyzabad, was held on November 20
but without high-level participation. A subsequent jirga is
planned for late December or early January. This jirga
meeting format presents a good opportunity for the UK and
USG to continue their outreach to the Afghan public.

8. (SBU) Comment: As we have seen on earlier occasions,
the Afghan public and its government leaders do not fully
realize or appreciate the scale of donations and development
assistance from the international community. While the GOA
must do a better job of coordinating with the Provincial
Governors on development programs, the USG, along with UK as
the lead nation on CN, must continue to improve its public
outreach so that the local population has a better
appreciation of what the international community is doing
for the Afghan population. End comment.

NEUMANN

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