KARZAI ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT ANP RANK REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 005420 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CRS, S/CT, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMETT CENTCOM FOR CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2016 TAGS: PGOV SNAR PREL PTER AF SUBJECT: KARZAI ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT ANP RANK REFORM Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Neumann, for reasons 1.4 b, d. ¶1. (C) In a November 3 meeting with senior GOA security officials and the international community, President Karzai asked detailed questions about the progress of Afghan National Police (ANP) rank reform. Noting that Tier II assignments have been completed (though some require review),he said that Tier III is particularly important because it will comprise the selection of District Police Chiefs, who work very closely with the people. Emphasizing the need to assign officers who have the right education and credentials, he asked whether all parties are satisfied with the Selection Board process. Both Ministry of Interior leadership and German Police Ambassador Frick assured him that they had full confidence in the Board. ¶2. (C) Among other discussion points, the issue of ethnic balance and recruiting was raised. Interior Minister Zarar Moqbil noted that most ANP recruits, particularly for the police academy, come from a few provinces near Kabul. Karzai described this as an "extremely serious" situation that needed to be remedied. CSTC-A Commander MG Durbin noted steps are being taken to improve recruiting efforts, but that more effort from MOI is needed in this regard. ¶3. (C) Although Karzai asked for an update on the auxiliary police ANAP (status of ANAP will be reported septel),his focus was on the national police structure. He discussed the status of the Probation Board cases (nine names, out of a total of 14, have been recommended for dismissal but only three have been dismissed so far),saying that he recognized that this is an important step in professionalizing the police force. He did not, however, make any commitment to following through with the pending cases. (Note: In an aside to Ambassador Neumann after the meeting, Karzai said that Kabul Police Chief Amanullah Guzar was "willing to be sent elsewhere.") ¶4. (C) Karzai asked when he would be given the names of the Tier III candidates. The MOI representative said that the first group of names, the Colonel- level candidates, should be on his desk "within ten days," and that the entire Tier III down to the level of Majors should be completed by the end of November. (Note: The names of 355 Colonels were sent to the Department for Leahy vetting on October 22; we are expecting a response by November 16. The names of 400 Lieutenant Colonels will be sent shortly, and we would hope for a rapid reply. The date of transmission of the 400 names of Majors will depend on post staffing levels. Given this workload, the timeline offered to President Karzai appears unrealistic. CSTC-A and the German Police Program Office, who participate with MOI on the Selection Board, are aware of post and Department constraints and have conveyed that information to the GOA.) ¶5. (SBU) Representation at the meeting included the Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, National Security Advisor, GOA Selection Board officials, Police Regional Commanders, UNAMA, EU, Germany, US, UK, The Netherlands, ISAF, and CSTC-A. NEUMANN