INTERIOR MINISTER ZARAR ON KOREAN CHRISTIANS:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003456

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STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CRS, SA/PB, S/CT,
EUR/RPM
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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV CASC AF
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ZARAR ON KOREAN CHRISTIANS:
HOPING FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION

REF: A) STATE 125681 B) KABUL 3455

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Neumann, for reasons 1.4 b, d.


1. (C) DCM, accompanied by polmiloff, met Minister
of Interior Zarar Moqbil today, August 2, to deliver
reftel demarche regarding the planned August 5-7
"peace rally" organized by a South Korean NGO. DCM
noted USG concern for the safety of U.S.citizens and
expressed U.S. support for the GOA in its efforts
safeguarding the security of Afghans and foreigners.
Zarar responded by saying that he has already been
on the phone with the governors of Bamyan and Balkh
provinces, instructing them to discourage
demonstrations in their provinces. He said he
recognized that any demonstration would be "very
dangerous" and hoped none would take place. He also
acknowledged that the events could be manipulated by
"powerful opposition parties" to destabilize the
government.


2. (C) DCM asked whether the MoI had a plan in place
in case demonstrations take place, noting that MoI
might need a very strong capability should things
got out of hand. Zarar replied that the MoI has
developed a plan, but he did not give any details.
When DCM asked whether MoI has been coordinating
with MoD in its planning, Zarar responded sharply,
saying that the army (ANA) was not at all involved -
this issue was being handled only by the police
(ANP) and intelligence service (NDS). As an
afterthought, he added that "of course" they will
bring MoD in if it is determined that the ANA have a
role. DCM concluded by offering the Embassy,s
assistance as required.

Comment
--------------


3. (SBU) As noted Ref B, Afghan authorities are
concerned in large part because of news reports
characterizing the organizers of these events as
having evangelical motivations. However, in
meetings with Embassy staff, Institute for Asian
Culture and Development (IACD) organizers went out
of their way to stress that their activities had no
religious or evangelical purpose. They maintained
that the events contain no religious components and
that the sole purpose of the rally was to celebrate
the NGO,s five years in Afghanistan providing
humanitarian aid and to kick off a new initiative to
encourage Korean investment in Afghanistan. They
alleged that the rumors of religious proselytizing
and evangelism were spread by the government of
Korea as part of an elaborate "conspiracy theory."


4. (C) In any event, the stage is being set for
possible confrontations and it is clear the MoI will
need support in developing an effective contingency
plan. ISAF Deputy Commanding General told DCM
earlier today that ISAF is working with both MoI and
MoD to develop a comprehensive plan, and CFC has
tasked its mentors to assist both ministries.
During a phone conversation with President Karzai on
August 2, Ambassador raised U.S. concerns about the
upcoming manifestations. Karzai said the Afghan
authorities are focused on trying to prevent the

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demonstrations from taking place. Ambassador
strongly urged him to encourage Afghan security
agencies to develop a back-up plan to deal with
possible violent confrontations.
NEUMANN