Cablegate: Embassy Outreach to Minister Khan of Energy and Water

VZCZCXRO0614
PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #3278 2880936
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150936Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2181
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KABUL 003278

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A
DEPT PASS AID/ASIA SCAA

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: Embassy Outreach to Minister Khan of Energy and Water

1. Meeting with Afghan Water and Energy Minister Mohammed Ismail
Khan October 13, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic
Affairs, Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne, highlighted two new
initiatives. (Discussions of politics reported setpel.) The first
was USAID's recent launch of a four-year, $83 million program to
support the Afghan Government in designing and installing
community-based renewable energy systems, such as micro-hydro, wind,
or solar. The program will provide over 300 communities with
renewable energy systems, particularly in the southern and eastern
regions of the country. The second program is a new USAID $52
million program that will help the Afghan Government increase access
to potable water, sanitation facilities and hygiene behavior. This
program will benefit over 1,000 communities, also in the South and
East.

2. Ambassador Wayne also conveyed the USG's interest to work with
the Minister and his staff to identify and design three to five
signature multipurpose (irrigation/small hydro) dams programs and
noted the need to do survey various locations throughout the
country as possible project sites.

3. In response, Minister Khan specifically requested assistance in a
critical area of the North -- in Jawsjan Province -- which has not
been able to find/develop a proper source of ground water. Noting
approximately 100,000 people or more live in the area, Khan proposed
building a 105 kilometer water transmission line to take in the Amu
Darya River and bring it to the area. The Minister estimated that
the initiative would cost approximately $15 million. The Minister
agreed that Water and Energy Ministry staff and Mission
infrastructure team experts should meet for follow-up discussions on
this request.

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