010400Z PRT Nangarhar Qasaba Village visit

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PRT Jalalabad APO AE 09354 1 September 2007 MEMORANDUM THRU Civil Affairs OIC, PRT Jalalabad, APO AE 09354 Commander, PRT Jalalabad, APO AE 09354 SUBJECT: Trip Report for Qasaba Dismounted Patrol 1. SUMMARY. Civil Affairs (CA) and the PRT 1SG conducted a dismounted patrol to meet and greet the elders of the villages adjacent to the PRT (42S XD 36616 10253) 2. BACKGROUND a. General. The Mayor Cell approached CA about wanting to expand the ECP, but did not want to have any negative effects on the local populace that farm the land next to the ECP. CA agreed to talk with the village elders to get a feel of how potential changes would affect the farmers. On 31 August 2007 there was a cache of explosives found in Zangow Bay, approximately one kilometer north of the PRT, which was detonated in place by EOD. CA wanted to communicate with the locals what was going on and to eliminate any rumors that might spread. b. Mission Specifics. (1) CA first met with Gul Zarbag, village elder for Qasaba Village. Gul is a younger looking man which surprised CA that he was the elder of the village. Gul is a detective with the ANP and has some ties with NDS workers (based on pictures he showed CA). Gul explained to CA that the land around the ECP was government land that was used by locals to make a profit and give back to the government. He stated that changes to the ECP would not be a problem, but if any orange trees were going to be trimmed or removed he would like to know. Orange trees comprise a large part of the revenue generated in the fields. The land on the west side of the ECP is tended to by the local villagers while the land on the east side is tended to by ANA Soldiers. (2) CA next discussed the issue of local children playing on and around the loading/unloading HESCO barriers outside of Blue Gate. Gul understood and agreed with the PRTs concern and promised to speak with parents and keep the children from around the HESCO barriers. CA also asked about the explosion that occurred the night before. Gul was well aware of it and knew that it was a controlled explosion. Gul was reluctant to say who told him it was a controlled explosion, but will get with the PRT 1SG at a later date to discuss this matter. Gul remarked that many government officials contacted him after the explosion to see where it came from and if anyone was injured. The 1SG discussed the possibility of a Kids Bazaar at some time in the near future. Gul supported the idea and is willing to help in any way he can. (3) CA next met Haji Mia Hassan from Zarha (Old) Family Village. This village is located east of the PRT and north of the ANA Compound. It has about 28 families and is led by Mallach Haji Zekria Khan. CA did not meet with the elders long, but their main concerns are better roads and electricity. The elders asked for a generator, but were more receptive when CA spoke about Solar Power and Microhydros. 3. Additional Data and Analysis The villages around the PRT are pro-government and pro-Coalition. They have had a great relationship with the past PRT and it is important that this relationship is maintained. Gul Zarbag seemed reluctant to talk about certain topics because of his surroundings. Further meetings will be held to see if he opens up more. 4. Point of Contact for this memorandum is CPT Middleton at DSN 231-7341. Maurice Z. Middleton CPT, CA CAT-B Team Leader