010530Z AUG 07 CDR''s meeting with USAID in Kabul

01 AUG 07: 42S WD 19500 25000 CDR met with USAID and ARD in Kabul. First we met with Patrick Brady; CJTF 82 USAID Rep. We first met with Patrick on the grounds of the HQ ISAF and discussed our upcoming operations and where and how USAID could assist with its partners. Patrick asked that we be able to provide a security timeline, or a schedule on when we thought the security would all USAID and others to move about the Tagab District. He also discussed gathering information from NGOs Currently or previously operating in Tagab as to where we could best focus our efforts. He strongly urged the use of the NSP (National Solidarity Program), a purely IRoA organization that can get in where CF might not be able to. He assured us that his role is to coordinate efforts with the PRT, USAID and their partners. Patrick recommended a focused strategy on a few key villages, versus a widespread approach to developing projects. He said that ARD would be able to provide intel on the key leaders and villages that would most likely support our efforts. He also recommended that rather than looking at building new schools, clinics, etc, that provide maximum impact before winter. We examined the possibility of repairing what already exists. He will remain our advocate to the CG and help the CG understand this is a long term relationship building process. After lunch we met with USAID and ARD representatives: Ashley Abbott (USAID Field Program Officer); Sandra Shuster (ARD Deputy Chief of Party); Ron Glass (USAID acting Director PRT Office); Jeff Goodson (USAID). ARD opened with the announcement that, strictly by coincidence, they had prepared a team to begin to enter the Tagab District to begin assessing key leaders and villages. They were told not to come by LNs because of CF operations in the valley. ARD was unaware of the planned operation. ARD then told us that two NGOs have operated or are operating in limited capacity in Tagab; UN habitat, and CARE. USAID then asked what we thought the landscape would be post kinetic operations. We projected limited destruction and better relations with the populace. Ashley then spoke about developing a terrain block and examining their livelihood structures to know what type of projects are needed. She emphasized the need for long term relationship building and that success should be measured by comparing what we know now of the area versus what we knew before the operation began. She also emphasized that if the population was the center of gravity in this conflict, we mist do the right things and not simply build just to build. USAID then spoke on how they are shifting from a national level strategy to working on a tactical level. Their support in this operation would be a litmus test of that new strategy. Ashley represents what they called the USAID SWAT team, a highly experienced USAID employee who goes in immediately following kinetic OPS to ensure maximum impact of projects. Coordination between interested parties will be key as the threat levels increase and decrease.