MOHAQEQ, FAHIM CONCERNED OVER MILITIAS. FAHIM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002786 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO, S/CT, SCA/A, NSC FOR AHARRIMAN CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINR SNAR PREL AF SUBJECT: MOHAQEQ, FAHIM CONCERNED OVER MILITIAS. FAHIM STRENGTH OVERRATED Classified By: AMBASSADOR RONALD NEUMANN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Both Hajji Mohammed Mohaqeq and Marshal Fahim were against the idea of implementing militias to improve security across Afghanistan. In recent meetings with the Ambassador, each expressed the desire to create a nationally representative group if additional security is needed. Using tribal militias in their native areas concerned many Afghans, especially those who had complied with the DIAG process. Many were upset that while they had given away their weapons, others were being handed them back. ¶2. (C) It was also made very clear that rumors of Marshal Fahim returning to power are exaggerated. Fahim seemed to be lobbying for any opportunity to work his way back in to power but had not been let back into Karzai?s inner circle. Fahim also still came off as upset for not being selected as Karzai?s Vice President. ¶3. (C) Mohaqeq was sour on perceived Hazara disadvantages in the police officer nominations. He accepted the idea of merit based nominations but not when there were many unqualified nominees of other ethnic groups making it through. NEUMANN