Cablegate: Prt/Panjshir: Feud Called "Family Affair"

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003260

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E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR AF

SUBJECT: PRT/PANJSHIR: Feud Called "Family Affair"

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Summary
-------

1. (SBU) Panjshir Governor Bahlul and NDS Director
Saleh, both Panjshiris, have feuded recently, throwing
light not only on their personal differences but also
on Panjshiri cohesiveness. When matters threatened to
boil over, Panjshiri heavyweights stepped in to close
ranks. The episode is revealing: Panjshiris are a
close-knit sub-population and insist that internal
conflicts "stay in the family." End Summary.

Background
----------

2. (SBU) A running feud between Panjshiri Governor
Bahlul and NDS Director Saleh, both Panjshiris, flared
up in May and continues to simmer. Both accuse the
other of treachery in connection with a jailbreak on
May 16 in Panjshir involving NDS personnel. Putting
aside the disputed details of the episode, their clash
is revealing about the Panjshiris in several ways.

Foreground
----------

3. (SBU) Their quarrel is personal, and is, at heart,
about differing styles: Bahlul, the rough-hewn former
mujahideen, against Saleh, the young English-speaking
sophisticate. A touchstone in Panjshiri politics is
whether someone served as a commander during the
struggles against the Soviets and Taliban. Bahlul
did; Saleh did not. The split is partly generational,
although Bahlul is only a half-dozen years older, he
appeals to the older, more traditional Panjshiris,
while Saleh works with the younger Panjshiris in
Kabul.

4. (SBU) Their differences are not ideological and do
not extend to questions concerning PRT activities or
provincial development. Bahlul and Saleh both support
the PRT and believe the province is headed in the
right direction. The PRT maintains close ties with
the Governor and sees Saleh occasionally when he
visits his home (near the PRT office). Last year, as
the PRT was poised to establish itself in the valley,
Saleh had a long talk with PRT officers. His main
points - honor Panjshiri pride, recognize Panjshiri
contributions, respect local tradition - would also
gain easy endorsement from the Governor.

5. (SBU) Intervention was necessary. Panjshiri
heavyweights had to induce Bahlul and Saleh to bury
the hatchet. According to our contacts, those
Panjshiris who intervened were Meshrano Jerga member
Fahim Khan, VP Massoud and Wolesi Jerga Speaker
Qanooni. Of the three, Fahim Khan was the most active
in promoting reconciliation. He stepped in to finance
a new mosque in Bazarak, next to the Governor's
temporary office in Panjshir, reportedly at a cost of
135,000 USD. He told Panjshiris the construction was
meant to symbolize renewal, both in personal and
provincial terms.

6. (SBU) Panjshiris closed ranks. Several large
gatherings, in Kabul and in Panjshir, took place to

KABUL 00003260 002.2 OF 002

offer public support to a Bahlul-Saleh reconciliation.
To this end, 200 former mujahideen congregated at the
Kabul Intercontinental in late May; and over 100
locals met in Panjshir in early June. Fahim Khan told
us it was important that the two shook hands in front
of fellow Panjshiris (which they did at the Kabul
Intercontinental).

7. (SBU) The dispute was "a family affair." This
description, from the Governor, suggests the tight-
knit nature of Panjshiri society. When matters
threatened to boil over, the Panjshiris resolved to
settle the issue internally. They wanted to avoid
showing cracks in their group to the outside world.

8. (SBU) Neither Bahlul nor Saleh lost his job
because of the spat, however, as both are deemed too
important. But someone, evidently, had to go. The
"fall guy" turned out to be the local NDS chief in
Panjshir, Habib Rahman, who was replaced by Mohammed
Salem. One of our contacts said that Rahman
"mishandled the dispute and had to be released."

9. (SBU) There are two Panjshiri populations: one is
in the province itself, and the other has relocated to
Kabul. The latter group comprises the political class
(including Fahim Kahn, Massoud, Qanooni and Saleh
himself), as well as many young men seeking jobs in
the capital. The Bahlul-Saleh spat threw into relief
the province-capital split. Bridge-builders -- those
who can operate in both places -- are necessary to
prevent the gap from widening.

Comment
-------

10. (SBU) The Bahlul-Saleh feud is revealing, not
only about their personal differences, but also about
the Panjshiri cohesiveness. Bahlul and Saleh will
never be close. At the moment, they are scarcely on
speaking terms. But the notion of a Panjshiri family
prevailed - and now has a monument: A new mosque, now
under construction, in the center of Bazarak that will
accommodate over 1,000 souls.

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