Cablegate: Prt Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province: Musa Qala Conducts

VZCZCXYZ1888
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #0518 0621232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021232Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3088
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS KABUL 000518

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DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO SCA/A, S/CRS, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CG CSTC-A, CG CJTF-82 POLAD

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH, HELMAND PROVINCE: MUSA QALA CONDUCTS
OFFICIAL SCHOOL OPENING

1. (SBU) District Governor Mullah Salam officially opened the Musa
Qala Central School on February 28. Several hundred students and
dozens of citizens watched Salam open the school and deliver an
excellent speech that focused on the importance of education. Salam
urged the students to take care of their school and asked the
citizens to respect and protect their teachers. He thanked the
international community for its support but said more must be done
in Musa Qala, and the people of Kajaki should now enjoy the same
benefits. Salam welcomed the provincial government representatives
and praised the work of the Musa Qala Shura in preparation for the
event and the opening of the school.

2. (SBU) Representatives from the Ministries of Education and Rural
Rehabilitation and Development and the Helmand provincial council
echoed Salam's words and promised continuing support for the people
of Musa Qala. Residents told PRTOff they appreciated the new school
and were pleased it was repaired so quickly. They said their
children liked the equipment provided by USAID's Local Governance
and Community Development Program and looked forward to more books
and study material. Other residents said they now hoped more
schools could be opened in neighboring villages because some of the
children were traveling a long way to attend classes in the city.
Several teachers said the school was very popular, and they expected
the enrollment to soon exceed 600 students.

3. (SBU) Salam told PRTOff that he insisted on a formal opening to
show local residents that things are progressing. He clearly
understands the need for these types of public events and prefers
this style to maintain his support. The PRT welcomed the school's
formal opening to maintain reconstruction momentum and is working to
start construction on the Central Mosque and other projects in Musa
Qala.

WOOD

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