KARZAI DECIDES ON SENIOR POLICE REASSIGNMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 000115 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CRS, S/CT, EUR/RPM, INL/CIVPOL, SCA/RA, DRL, L/PM STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMITT CENTCOM FOR CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017 TAGS: PGOV SNAR PHUM PTER AF SUBJECT: KARZAI DECIDES ON SENIOR POLICE REASSIGNMENTS Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., David Newell, for reasons 1.4 ( B,D). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 11 President Karzai signed an order to replace 11 police chiefs who had been found unqualified by the Police Probation Board as well as other senior police chiefs who have not performed up to professional standards in their current assignments. The signature followed meetings with his senior advisors and international community representatives at which these issues were discussed. The President decided to implement the recommendation of the Probation Board to terminate the employment of all those who had failed their probation review, with the exception of the Police Chief of Parwan Province, who was shifted rather than fired. He approved replacements for all these positions, as well as approving leadership changes in 26 other senior police positions. The changes will be publicly announced the evening of January 11 and effective immediately. Minister of Interior Zarar also reported that the list of 630 field grade officers selected for priority positions mostly in the south and east was ready to be submitted for signature, which is expected early next week. As soon as these field grade lists are signed, MOI will move the selectees into their new positions. These changes are a very positive step forward for police reform in Afghanistan and the professionalization of the Afghan police force. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In two meetings on January 7 and 8 with National Security Advisor Rassoul, Minister of Interior Zarar, Deputy Minister Khalid, National Director of Security Saleh, Chief of Staff Jawed Ludin, and other senior GOA officials, as well as U.S. Charge, UNAMA A/SRSG Alexander, German Special Police Advisor Ambassador Frick, EU Senior Representative Vendrell, CSTC-A Commanding General Durbin and Deputy CG Young, President Karzai discussed the list of senior police chiefs whom the Ministry of Interior had recommended be fired as well as the list of replacements. At the end of the second meeting the President announced his decisions. On January 10 he summoned Ambassadorial-level representatives to the Palace for a final discussion and formal signing of the list. Kabul Chief of Police -------------- ¶3. (C) In both meetings, there was extended discussion regarding the most sensitive positions, including that of Chief of Police of Kabul. (Note: Embassy has strongly supported the Probation Board,s decision to remove the incumbent police chief, Amanullah Guzar, who is incompetent and corrupt and has an extensive local patronage network. End note.) It was decided that Guzar should be appointed Afghan Deputy Trade Commissioner in Dubai. His replacement, Major General Ismatullah Doladzai, is at present Regional Police Commander for Region South. He is a professional, capable, honest police officer who should bring positive change to Kabul. Parwan Chief of Police -------------- ¶4. (C) Karzai initially said he would not remove Abdul Rahman Sayedkhaili from the position of Parwan Police Chief. The international community made clear that Sayedkhaili had failed his probation review and the Ministry of Interior would benefit professionally KABUL 00000115 002 OF 003 from his removal, even if there were security and political reasons why he should stay. While the meetings ended with the provisional decision that Sayedkhaili would be retained in Parwan, a subsequent Afghan-only meeting led to a decision that he would be shifted to Baghlan Province. International community representatives reviewed this and other last minute changes in a working level meeting on January 9 and agreed that while the decision was not optimal, it could be accepted in order to move the rest of the process forward. Other Police Chiefs -------------- ¶5. (SBU) With this single exception, the changes were very positive across the board. In a series of sessions before and after the Presidential meetings, Post polmiloff reviewed the lists in detail with Interior Ministry senior leadership and subject matter experts from the international community and discussed the qualifications of all the new appointees. Most of the incoming individuals are already in senior positions; a few have been taken off the reserve list. While not always of the highest standard, they are a huge improvement on the incumbents. Through this process the most incompetent and corrupt police chiefs in Afghanistan have been removed from office and replaced with professionals. The positions include the police chiefs of the provinces of Badakhshan, Jawzjan, Nanagarhar, Balkh, Paktia, Sar-i Pul, Baghdis, Logar, Ghor, Paktika, Takhar, Baghlan, Kunduz, Ghazni, Zabul, Paktia, and Samangan, as well as leadership positions in the Regional Commands and the Border Police. The full list will be emailed to SCA/A, INL, and INR. Priority Field Grade Officers -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Also in this meeting it was reported to the President that the selection lists for 630 field grade (Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Major) positions in key provinces and assignments have been completed. These lists will be presented to the President for signature early next week. The MOI will then instruct these individuals to take up their new positions immediately. President Karzai expressed his satisfaction that this important step had been completed and emphasized the importance of moving these individuals into their new positions quickly so they can contribute to stabilizing the security situation in these key areas. (Note: the MOI recognizes that neither in-country nor Washington vetting has yet been completed for some of these officers. CSTC-A has reached informal agreement with the Chairman of the Selection Board that the MOI will try to wait until at least in-country vetting is completed before the individuals are transferred to their new positions. However, if security considerations require that the moves be made immediately, MOI also understands that the international community, including the U.S. Government, will demand the removal of any individual who at any time is found to have committed human rights abuses. Post will continue to forward the names to Washington as soon as we have them. End note.) Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Pay and rank reform are the keys to KABUL 00000115 003 OF 003 professionalizing the Afghan police force. Replacing these corrupt, incompetent generals and moving forward quickly with assigning field grade officers will have a tremendous positive impact on the Ministry of Interior and the Afghan National Police. It will also strengthen the counterinsurgency effort by empowering leaders who are competent and professional. Not all the selected officers are of the highest quality, but building capacity takes time. This spring, rank reform will proceed through the lower officer ranks and second-tier positions. Over the longer term, the U.S. police program will work with the MOI to develop transparent criteria and procedures for the review, promotion, and as needed dismissal/retirement of police officers. NEWELL