Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
APECO ASEC AMGT AFIN APER ACABQ AORC AEMR AF AE AR AGMT AU AY ABLD AS AG AJ APCS AX AM AMEX ATRN ADM AMED AFGHANISTAN AZ AL ASUP AND ARM ASEAN AFFAIRS AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR AODE APEC ACBAQ AFSI AFSN AO ABUD AC ADPM ADCO ASIG ARF AUC ASEX AGAO AA AER AVERY AGRICULTURE AIT AADP ASCH AORL AROC ACOA ANET AID AMCHAMS AINF AMG AFU AN ALOW ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG ACS ADANA AECL ACAO AORG AGR
BEXP BR BM BG BL BA BTIO BO BP BC BILAT BK BU BD BRUSSELS BB BF BBSR BIDEN BX BE BH BT BY BMGT BWC BTIU BN
CA CASC CFED CO CH CS CU CE CI CM CMGT CJAN COM CG CIS CVIS CR CKGR CHR CVR COUNTER CIA CLINTON CY CPAS CD CBW COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CDG CW CODEL COUNTRY CLEARANCE COE CN CARICOM CB CONDOLEEZZA CWC CACS CSW CIDA CIC CITT CONS CL CACM CDB CDC CAN CF CJUS CTM CBSA CARSON CT CLMT CBC CEUDA CV COPUOS CTR CROS CAPC CAC CNARC CICTE CBE
DA DR DHS DPRK DEPT DEA DISENGAGEMENT DE DJ DOMESTIC DOD DOE DTRA DS DEFENSE DEAX DAO DCM DO DK
ECON ETRD EIND ENRG EC ELAB EAGR EAID EFIS EFIN EINV EUN EG EPET EAIR EU ELTN EWWT ECIN ERD EI ETTC EUR EN EZ ETC ENVI EMIN ET ENVR ER ECPS EINT EAP ES ENIV ECONOMY EXTERNAL EINN EFTA ECONOMIC EPA EXBS ECA ELN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ENGR ECUN ENGY ECONOMICS ELECTIONS EIAR EINDETRD EREL EUC ECONEFIN EURN EDU ETRDEINVTINTCS ECIP ENERG EFIM EAIDS EK ETRDECONWTOCS EINVETC ECONCS EUNCH ESA ECINECONCS EUREM ESENV EFINECONCS ETRC ENNP EAIG EXIM EEPET EINVECONSENVCSJA EUMEM ETRA ERNG ETRO ETRN EINVEFIN
FI FR FJ FAO FTAA FM FINR FAC FBI FREEDOM FOR FINANCE FTA FARC FOI FMLN FDA FOREIGN FO FISO FAS
GM GG GA GY GT GAERC GOV GE GZ GR GOI GV GH GAZA GANGS GCC GTIP GLOBAL GERARD GTMO GL GF
HR HA HO HU HILLARY HK HI HURI HUMAN HSTC HEBRON HYMPSK HUMOR
ICTY IN IS IR IC IZ IA INTERPOL IAEA IT IMO IO IV ID IRAQI IEA INRB IL IWC ITU ICAO ISRAELI ICRC IIP IMF IBRD ISLAMISTS ITALY ITALIAN ILO IPR IQ IRS IAHRC IZPREL IRAJ IDP ILC ITF ICJ IF ITPHUM INMARSAT ISRAEL IACI IBET ITRA INR IRC IDA ICTR IGAD INRA INRO IEFIN INTELSAT INTERNAL INDO ITPGOV
JA JO JUS JAMES JP JOSEPH JM JOHNNIE JOHN
KWMN KSCA KDEM KTFN KIPR KCRM KPAL KE KPAO KPKO KS KN KISL KFRD KJUS KIRF KFLO KG KTIP KTER KRCM KTIA KGHG KIRC KU KPRP KMCA KMPI KSEO KNNP KZ KNEI KCOR KOMC KCFC KSTC KMDR KFLU KSAF KSEP KSAC KR KGIC KSUM KWBG KCIP KDRG KOLY KAWC KCHG KHDP KRVC KBIO KAWK KGCC KHLS KBCT KPLS KREL KCFE KMFO KV KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KFTFN KVPR KTDB KSPR KIDE KVRP KTEX KBTR KTRD KICC KCOM KO KLIG KDEMAF KMRS KRAD KOCI KSTH KUNR KNSD KGIT KFSC KHIV KPAI KICA KACT KHUM KREC KSEC KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KCMR KPIN KESS KDEV KNAR KNUC KPWR KENV KWWMN KWMNCS KPRV KOM KBTS KCRS KNPP KWNM KRFD KVIR KTBT KAID KRIM KDDG KRGY KHSA KWMM KMOC KSCI KPAK KX KPAONZ KCGC KID KPOA KIFR KFIN KWAC KOMS KCRCM KNUP KMIG KNNPMNUC KERG KTLA KCSY KJUST
LY LE LH LTTE LG LO LI LAB LOG LT LU LABOR LA
MOPS MARR MASS MNUC MX MCAP MO MR MI MD MK MA MP MY MTCRE MOPPS MASC MIL MTS MLS MILI MAR MU MEPN MAPP MTCR MEPI MZ MEETINGS MG MW MAS MT MCC MIK ML MARAD MV MERCOSUR MTRE MPOS MEPP MILITARY MDC MQADHAFI MUCN MRCRE MAPS MEDIA MASSMNUC MC
NZ NZUS NL NU NATO NP NO NIPP NE NH NR NA NPT NI NSF NG NSG NAFTA NC NDP NEW NRR NATIONAL NT NS NASA NAR NV NORAD NSSP NK NPA NGO NSC NATOPREL NW NPG NSFO
OPDC OTRA OIIP OREP OVIP OSCE OEXC OIE OPRC OAS OPIC OTR OMIG OSAC OFFICIALS OECD OSCI OBSP OFDA OPCW ODIP OFDP OES OPAD OCII OHUM OVP ON OIC OCS
PHUM PREL PGOV PINR PTER PARM PREF PM PE PINS PK PHSA PBTS PRGOV PA PORG PP PS PGOF PL PO PARMS PKFK PSOE PEPR PAK POL PPA PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PALESTINIAN PBIO PINF PNG PMIL PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PAO POLITICS PHUMBA PSEPC PTBS PCUL PROP PNAT PNR POLINT PGOVE PROG PHALANAGE PARTY PDEM PECON PROV PHUMPREL PGOC PY PCI PLN PDOV PREO PGIV PHUH PAS PU POGOV PF PINL POV PAHO PRL PG PRAM POLITICAL PARTIES POLICY PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGGV PHUS PSA PHUMPGOV PEL PSI PAIGH POSTS PBT PTERE
QA
RS RU RW RM RO RP REGION RSP RF RICE RCMP RFE RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT RUPREL RELATIONS ROOD REACTION RSO REPORT
SENV SNAR SCUL SR SC SOCI SMIG SI SP SU SO SW SY SA SZ SAN SF SN STEINBERG SG ST SIPDIS SNARIZ SNARN SSA SK SPCVIS SOFA SAARC SL SEVN SARS SIPRS SHUM SANC SWE SHI SYR SNARCS SPCE SYRIA SEN SH SCRS SENVKGHG
TRGY TSPL TPHY TSPA TBIO TI TW THPY TX TU TS TZ TC TH TT TIP TO TERRORISM TRSY TINT TN TURKEY TBID TL TV TNGD TD TF TP TFIN TAGS TK TR
UNSC UK UNGA UN US UNHRC UG UP UNMIK UNHCR UE USTR UNVIE UAE UZ UY UNO UNESCO USEU USOAS UV UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNEP UNIDROIT UNDESCO UNDP UNPUOS UNC UNAUS USUN UNCHC UNCHR UNCND UNICEF UNCSD UNDC USNC USPS USAID
VZ VE VT VM VTPREL VN VTIZ VAT VC VTEG VI
WTRO WHO WBG WB WWARD WHA WS WITH WI WIPO WTO WTRQ WHTI WEU WZ WFP WMD WMO WA
XK XG XA XW XL XM XV XF XC XB XU XR XT XZ XH XE XX XQ XS XD XTAG XI XY
YM YI YE YMCS
ZI ZF ZU ZP ZR ZEALAND ZN ZL ZB ZA ZK ZOELLICK ZO ZANU ZJ

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 09KABUL140, VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND SENATOR GRAHAM

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09KABUL140.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09KABUL140 | 2009-01-20 10:40 | 2010-12-02 21:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kabul

`

    VZCZCXRO0510
    OO RUEHPW
    DE RUEHBUL #0140/01 0201040
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 201040Z JAN 09
    FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6866
    INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 000140

    SIPDIS

    DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
    STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA
    NSC FOR WOOD
    OSD FOR WILKES
    CG CJTF-101 POLAD

    EO 12958 DECL: 01/15/2019
    TAGS PGOV, PREL, PTER, MARR, MASS, AF
    SUBJECT: VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND SENATOR GRAHAM
    DISCUSS SECURITY IN HELMAND
    REF: A. KABUL 65  B. KABUL 71

    Classified By: By Ambassador William Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

    ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Vice President-elect Joseph Biden and Senator Lindsay Graham visited Camp Bastion in Helmand Province January 11 and were briefed by Brigadier General Gordon Messenger, the British Commander of Task Force Helmand, and UK Senior Civilian Advisor Hugh Powell. COMISAF General McKiernan, RC-South Commander Major General Mart De Kruif and British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles also attended. Helmand Governor Mangal also discussed security and U.S. assistance with Biden and Graham. During the UK briefings, Ambassador Wood and U.S. Brigadier General Nicholson met separately with Mangal to hear his concerns and recommendations for next steps. End Summary.

    Task Force Helmand Briefing for Biden and Graham
    --------------------------------------------- ---

    ¶2. (C) The UK leadership briefing was somber. Senior Civilian Advisor Hugh Powell noted the UK had only 4000 troops in Afghanistan’s largest province, equaling one-third the troop density of RC East. British troops were covering the bulk of the population centers, but Powell noted that, given stretched resources, the British were aiming for “good enough.” (This is a phrase that is being used more often by the UK civilian and military leadership.) BG Messenger explained that his forces and the Afghan National Army were largely fixed to their Forward Operating Bases and PBs.

    ¶3. (C) Powell raised the issue of building governance and Biden broke in to press Powell on what “building governance” meant in practical terms. Powell described governance as having a few key people in the right places. Biden asked for more specifics about what was needed. Powell made a strong pitch for a unified command of the police mentors under CSTC-A. Biden asked where these mentors would come from and Powell suggested that non-troop contributing countries could provide them.

    ¶4. (C) Senator Graham asked attendees for a definition of success (in establishing greater security). BG Messenger defined coverage of more area as a key element of success. COMISAF and RC-S MG de Kruif added that Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) control of Afghanistan’s large cities - even in unstable provinces - is now the norm.

    Mangal Presentation to Biden and Graham
    ---------------------------------------

    ¶5. (C) Governor Mangal, accompanied by Afghan National Army (ANA) General Mohaidan and Helmand Police Chief Colonel Shirzad, briefed the visiting officials on his efforts to combat terrorism, corruption and narcotics in Helmand. He welcomed increased support from the U.S., and described significant progress in Helmand, noting eight out 13 districts were now under government control. However, Mangal quickly added there was still much to do to improve security in the province. Even in the eight districts under GIRoA control, the security footprint was far too small; more forces could expand the security zones around the cities to allow communities room to promote commerce and civil engagement. Mangal observed there was still no presence in Baghran and Vashir in northern Helmand or in Kanashin or Dishu in the south.

    ¶6. (C) The Governor made clear his view that U.S. forces are urgently needed. New forces should help secure the open border with Pakistan, while the capabilities of the ANSF could be strengthened to support any mission. He praised the work of the ANA and Afghan National Police (ANP) and said that with additional help they would take on more missions. He noted that the October attack against Lashkar Gah was repulsed by the ANSF, well supported by ISAF forces. Coordination between these security forces was excellent and he expressed full confidence the U.S. forces would work well with Helmand’s ANSF leadership.

    ¶7. (C) Thanking Mangal for his efforts and praising his hard work, Biden then discussed President-Elect Obama’s desire to establish “a new contract” with Afghanistan, a message Biden had already shared with President Karzai (Ref A). Biden
    KABUL 00000140 002 OF 003
    stressed the importance of improved governance by the central government and the need for increased capacity in the ANSF; international forces alone could not bring security and prosperity to Afghanistan. The U.S. was prepared to increase assistance and would sustain existing commitments, but the GIRoA needed to actively tackle corruption and support more effective governors and military leaders - like Mangal and Mohaidan.

    ¶8. (C) Biden continued, saying the U.S. government was committed to long-term support for Afghanistan. He cautioned, however, that if the Afghan government failed to effectively address key problems, such as poor governance, poppy cultivation, and corruption, it would be difficult to retain the strong U.S. public support necessary to continue large-scale assistance to Afghanistan.

    Mangal Calls for Extension of “Garmsir Model”
    ---------------------------------------------

    ¶9. (C) While the Helmand Task Force briefed Biden and Graham, Governor Mangal met with the Ambassador and BG Nicholson. The Ambassador thanked the Governor for his hard work and congratulated him on the large Counter Narcotics Shura he conducted January 4 in Lashkar Gah. Mangal stressed he was fully engaged in improving security, fighting corruption and building the capacity of the Afghan security forces. He was confident incoming U.S. forces would be able to achieve progress in extending security in north and south Helmand.

    ¶10. (C) Raising concerns regarding the UK security strategy, Mangal described his disappointment during a recent visit to Sangin. He noted that the bazaar in central Sangin was still outside the security zone; the situation in Kajaki was much the same. “I do not have anything against them (the British) but they must leave their bases and engage with the people.” He said even in Nad Ali the area of control was still too small.

    ¶11. (C) The Ambassador asked if the problem in Sangin was rooted in the civilian or military approach. Mangal said he thought both elements were at fault because there was “neither development and nor security” for the town. Mangal explained that the approach of the U.S. Marines in Garmsir was the right model for promoting community security in Helmand. The forces had remained in place for enough time to allow the bazaar, schools and clinics to reopen and then they planned a successful handover to ensure the new security zone could be maintained by the UK and the ANSF. Unfortunately, the UK has not built on the U.S. achievement by expanding the security zone around Garmsir still further.

    ¶12. (C) Mangal said he had told the UK team that even if they brought in thousands of additional troops, they would need a new plan and a shift of focus to connect to the people. As in Garmsir, success lay in clearing a large enough area around the town to encompass the bazaar, establishing visible reconstruction and development projects and engaging directly and often with local residents.

    ¶13. (C) The Ambassador thanked the Governor for his detailed and frank assessment, agreeing the situation posed a serious challenge. He said the UK was working well with the U.S. and that he was confident the British shared our vision for the region. Now, we must emphasize to them that the bazaar equals the city and the city equals hope - together this represents Afghanistan delivering security and economic development to its people.

    Mangal: Promoting Successful Communities and Undermining SMA
    --------------------------------------------- ---------------

    ¶14. (C) The Governor appreciated the chance to share key concerns with Ambassador and BG Nicholson. The Governor is a skilled politician and clearly had no intention of embarrassing the UK leadership, but wanted to highlight the Garmsir model as the right formula for Helmand. His focus on Sangin also has a strong political element. If he can successfully move Sangin into a “Garmsir Model,” he knows opposition strongman Sher Muhammad Akhundzada (SMA) will be weakened and some Alizai may move away from his camp. Progress in Sangin would be a preemptive political strike against SMA. This will become more important as poppy eradication kicks off and efforts are launched against narco facilities in the upper Sangin Valley.
    KABUL 00000140 003 OF 003
    WOOD

`