INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Prt Ghazni - Taliban Night Letters Distributed in Ghazni

Published: Tue 7 Nov 2006 11:20 AM
VZCZCXRO1885
RR RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #5393 3111120
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071120Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3972
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3208
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KABUL 005393
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SA/FO, SA/A, S/CR, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR HARRIMAN, OSD FOR KIMMIT
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
REL TO NATO/ISAF/AUS/NZ
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT GHAZNI - TALIBAN NIGHT LETTERS DISTRIBUTED IN GHAZNI
1. (U) SUMMARY: As seen in other provinces around Afghanistan,
"night letters" issuing death threats to Afghan National Army (ANA)
members, Afghan National Police (ANP), and Afghan women employed by
U.S. PRT's and "any other foreigners", have surfaced around Ghazni
City. Translations of two such letters issued on or about September
9 are included in paras 5 and 6 . END SUMMARY.
2. (U) Two "night letters" were reportedly distributed in Ghazni
City by a motorcycle rider on or about the evening of September 9.
Printed by computer in good Dari grammar, the letters are typical of
the night letters distributed by Taliban agents or sympathizers in
Ghazni province.
3. (U) The letters and other forms of intimidation appear to have
had some intended effect. In a recent meeting, a number of Ghazni
district Chiefs of Police cited threats against officers and their
families as a major reason for the shortage of police recruits and a
low retention rate. The (female) Director of Education in Ghazni
has been threatened a number of times in the past few months.
(Note: This Director of Education is a member of the Hazara ethnic
group, and it is unclear whether threats against her are because she
is a woman, a Hazara, the Director of Education, or any combination
of the above. End note.)
4. (SBU) These recent night letters were passed to the PRT by the
former Governor, Sher Alam. In handing them over, Alam berated the
recently removed Provincial Chief of Police, General Tafseer, whom
he did not regard highly. Governor Alam noted that while a number
of citizens reported seeing the letters being distributed, the
police had not witnessed this action. The Governor criticized the
police for not performing patrols at night.
5. (U) Text of first night letter (direct translation of text by
PRT): Warning to the Servants of ANA and ANP from Brave Mujadeen:
To the servants and traitors who sell their soul to work and help
American and other foreigners and are very happy to be their
servants. To all of the people who stand next to our enemy against
their country and nation and sell their faith and their country,
this you last warning. If you do not stay away from our enemy and
do not stop being servants for American or our enemy, Mujadeen for
Freedom will, with sword of fairness of Islam, cut their head from
their body. Soldiers of ANA and ANP you should and must know very
well you cannot serve if front of the sword of right and freedom.
If you do not quit this shameless job you will be sent to hell. End
text.
6. Text of second night letter: Warning to the Woman Working with
Americans or Any Other Foreigner: To the women without conscience
to sell their soul because of money, happiness and have fun with
American men and working and helping them. If they do not stop
selling themselves and stop working with them in the very near
future they will see what will happen to them. For their punishment
expect death and nothing else. This is the last warning. If they
do not stop working on the bases and offices we do not see any
solution, except death. End text.
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