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