PRT JALALABAD - POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NANGARHAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 005879 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMIT CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-76 POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2016 TAGS: MCAP MOPS PGOV PREL PTER AF SUBJECT: PRT JALALABAD - POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NANGARHAR LEADERSHIP Classified By: DCM RICHARD NORLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Provincial Council Chief Fazlhadi Muslimyar informed PRT officials November 26 of a possible change in the Deputy Governor position, currently held by Mohammad Allam Isaqzai, who Muslimyar said is a candidate for Deputy in the Ministry of Interior in Kabul. ¶2. (C) Muslimyar reported that Deputy Governor Isaqzai is one of five candidates being considered to take the position of Deputy Minister of Interior in Kabul. Among the other candidates is Miya Khel who was Deputy Minister of Interior prior to Taliban rule. However, even if Isaqzai does not get the MOI position, Muslimyar reported that it is possible that he will remain as Nangarhar Director of Finance and someone else will take the Deputy Governor position (Note: Isaqzai currently holds both positions.). Muslimyar said that one possibility would be that Director of Canals, Dr. Asef Qazizada, may return to the Deputy Governor position. ¶3. (C) Muslimyar reported that another possibility being discussed as a new Deputy Governor is former Afghan Army 11th Division Commander and Senior Mohmand Tribal leader Malanyar (no first name known). Malanyar also has close ties to the other two major tribes in Nangahar, the Shinwaris and the Khogyanis, which would be a major advantage for Governor Sherzai who is from Kandahar province. Malanyar is a former Mujahideen Commander (as is the governor and all current subgovernors) and he has been a big supporter of the Disbanding of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) process in the past. Malinyar currently lives in the Shinwar District and is respected there as if he were a Malik (local tribal leader),even though he is from a different tribe. ¶4. (C) Comment - Deputy Governor Isaqzai is a former university professor who is known for his intellect and honesty. He is not a strong force against the charismatic Governor Sherzai, but his influence would be missed in the province. That said, his good qualities would be a positive influence at the MOI. PRT would be concerned by the reappointment of Dr. Asef Qazizada to the position as Deputy Governor due to his history of extensive corruption, and suspicions that he supported the past two assassination attempts against Governor Sherzai. End comment. NEUMANN