LEAHY VETTING REQUEST: REPLACEMENT GENERAL ABDUL RAHMAN

UNCLAS KABUL 000117

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/RA (JBRENNIG),SCA/A, DRL, INL/CNPR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SNAR PINR PTER AF
SUBJECT: LEAHY VETTING REQUEST: REPLACEMENT GENERAL ABDUL RAHMAN
SARJANG


1. (U) This is an action request.


2. (U) In order to comply with Leahy vetting requirements, this
cable forwards the name and biodata of ANP Brigadier General Abdul
Rahman Sarjang. BG Sarjang has been proposed by the Ministry of
Interior to fill the position of Chief of Police of Gardez Province.
This is an appointment that needs to be made as quickly as possible
due to the strategic importance of Gardez and the weakness of the
incumbent police chief, Rahofi.


3. (SBU) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
(UNAMA) has vetted Sarjang's background as well as his performance
in his previous position, as Chief of Police in Ghazni. It has
found no derogatory information with regard to human rights abuses.
Early UNAMA reports had indicated that there were some allegations
of abuses such as prolonged detention and drug trafficking. For
this reason Post did not previously submit Sarjang's name with other
general officer replacement vetting requests. Subsequently,
however, UNAMA reviewed its information and conducted field
investigations. Based on interviews with five reliable Afghan
sources, it determined that the original allegations could not be
substantiated. Moreover, Sarjang scored well in several formal MOI
internal review boards, conducted with international community
mentor assistance, that assessed both anti-corruption and
professionalism.


4. (U) Biodata as follows:

Name: Abdul Rahman Sarjang
Father's Name: Haji Ajmir Khan
Grandfather's Name: Janan
Age: 41
POB: Mian Khel district
Current Position: Reserve
Previous Position: Chief of Police, Ghazni
Ethnicity: Pashtoon


5. (U) Request Department response by January 15, 2007.

NEWELL