PRESIDENT KARZAI APPOINTS NEW GOVERNORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 KABUL 002505 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN OSD FOR SHIVERS CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017 TAGS: EAID KDEM PGOV PINR AF SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KARZAI APPOINTS NEW GOVERNORS Classified By: Political Counselor Sara Rosenberry for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Governors have recently been sacked and replaced in Badghis, Ghor, Kapisa, and Logar. The status of the governor in Jowzjan remains unresolved, though he is no longer in the province. The governors from Faryab and Takhar were shifted to new provinces. Faryab remains vacant. The Ministry of Interior announced that as many as eight additional changes may be forthcoming. Those removed and their replacements are a mixed bag: some reportedly corrupt, well-connected governors were moved to new provinces, while several well-intentioned technocrats were removed entirely. Explanations for the changes range from speculation that President Karzai wants to make changes before the Senior Appointments Board becomes fully operational, an effort to change the political equation in the north, early political jockeying in advance of to the 2009/10 elections, the cyclical nature of Afghan patronage-based politics, or President Karzai's desire to show progress on sub-national governance in advance of his Camp David visit. END SUMMARY. GOVERNORS SACKED, NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED: BADGHIS, GHOR, LOGAR, KAPISA -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Badghis Governor Mohammad NASIM was removed on June 26, 2007. He was widely considered one of the worst governors in the country, with claims he sponsored illegally armed groups in the south of the province and stole humanitarian relief supplies for flood victims in late 2006. His replacement is Mohammad Ashraf NASERI, a non-aligned, educated Pashtun who has been a good Embassy counter-narcotics contact with extensive government experience. ¶3. (C) Ghor Governor Shah Abdul AHAD was removed on June 25, ¶2007. Considered a well-intentioned technocrat, he had little political clout in Kabul and no independent power base in Ghor. According to the PRT, he was surprised by his dismissal, and the PRT has heard rumors that he may be appointed to another governorship. His replacement is Baz Mohammad AHMADI, a member of Rabbani's Jamiat. According to UNAMA, he is not known for competence, but his status as an ex-commander could be helpful in dealing with the insurgency in southern Ghor. ¶4. (SBU) Logar Governor Mohammad Karim HASHIMI, a Pashtun supporter of Rabani's Jamiat, was removed from office on July 16, 2007. Hashimi told the PRT he that his perceived lack of support for DIAG may have led to his removal, but he was reportedly frequently absent from his post, spending weeks at a time in Kabul or at various vacation homes. His replacement is Abdullah WARDAK, a Pashtun from Wardak province. Wardak is an ex-mujahideen commander and associate of Abdul Sayyaf who served as the Minister of Martyrs and Disabled under the Interim Government from 2001-4, but since has held no official position. ¶5. (C) There is some controversy regarding the removal of Kapisa Governor Abdul Satar MURAD, an educated technocrat well-regarded by most internationals who was sacked on June ¶16. Murad claimed that he was sacked as a result of a candid interview he gave to Newsweek Magazine in which he criticized the Karzai government for failing to fill the leadership void at the local level. He accused the government of playing "dirty politics" by claiming he gave false information to ISAF that led to civilian casualties. Some provincial officials have since claimed he cut a deal with insurgents in the south of the province to ignore their activities in return for their support. The truth is that he is close to Rabbani and actively supports the United Front (UF),which seeks to unseat the President. He was reportedly in the process of organizing a meeting of neighboring governors to KABUL 00002505 002 OF 004 discuss the UF when he was sacked. GOVERNORS MOVED: FROM FARYAB TO TAKHAR, TAKHAR TO KAPISA -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) On July 21, President Karzai moved Takhar Governor Khwaja Khausuddin (AKA Ghulam Ghas) ABUBAKIR to the vacancy left by Murad in Kapisa. Abubakir is an ethnic Tajik former HIG supporter who is now closer to Jamiat. He worked on the Karzai presidential campaign. Abubakir's term as Governor of Takhar was marked by relative inactivity and rumors of involvement in narco-trafficking. ¶7. (C) President Karzai moved Faryab governor Abdul Latif IBRAHIMI to the Abubakir's vacancy in Takhar. Ibrahimi, an ethnic Uzbek member of Rabbani,s Jamiat. As the Faryab governor since May 2004 and previously Kunduz governor from 2001-2004, Ibrahimi was rumored to be involved in the collection of illegal taxes and extortion and narco-trafficking, as well as a land deal under investigation by the Attorney General's office. AWAITING APPOINTMENTS IN JOWZJAN AND FARYAB -------------- ¶8. (C) President Karzai has not yet announced a replacement for former Jowzjan Governor Juma Khan HAMDARD, who left the province following clashes between his body guards and supporters of Uzbek strong-man Abdul Rashid Dostum. He has not yet been formally dismissed, but few think he will return. A Norwegian Embassy political officer close to the PRT in Jowzjan told us that provincial officials believe President Karzai is trying to find a candidate to fill the post who could help further erode Dostum's support in the predominately Uzbek province, without provoking further disturbances by pro-Dostum Junbesh loyalists. ¶9. (C) These changes also leave a vacancy in Faryab, another predominately Uzbek province. UNAMA Senior Advisor Mervyn Patterson told Poloff following a meeting with Minister of Interior Zarar on June 26 that Karzai was considering replacing Ibrahimi with Qazi ENAYAT Enayatullah, a former Faryab governor and Dostum opponent. UNAMA has suggested another candidate, Hashim ZARE, a well-regarded advisor to Karzai on tribal issues who is reportedly close to the royal family. Former Faryab Governor Ibrahimi's secretary Mojeeb, told POL on July 15 that, in addition to Zare, another potential replacement is Qazi Alam RASIKH, another opponent of Dostum. WHO'S NEXT? -------------- ¶10. (C) The Ministry of Interior spokesman announced on June 26 that as many as eight additional changes may be yet to come. UNAMA shared with Poloff other names they understand are on Minister of Interior Zarar's list for possible removal or reassignment: Badakhshan Governor Munshi Abdul al-MAJID, Baghlan Governor Muhammad Alam Ishakzay, Ghazni Governor Merajuddin PATAN, Helmand Governor Asadullah WAFA, Kunar Governor Haji Mohammad DEEDAR Shalizi, Parwan Governor Abdul Jabar TAQWA, and Zabul Governor Dilbar Jan ARMAN. COMMENT: WHY NOW? -------------- ¶11. (C) There is a range of opinions about why the shifts are being made. President Karzai may want to make the appointments before he signs the terms of reference for the Senior Appointments Board, which would add screening requirements to the appointment process and limit his political maneuvering room. Karzai may also be trying to change the political equation in the north by making appointments that challenge or disrupt Dostum's influence. Another possible influence is early political positioning in advance of the 2009/10 elections. UNAMA senior political KABUL 00002505 003 OF 004 advisors believe that the shake-up is merely the next round in the natural cycle of Afghanistan's patronage-based political system. Finally, President Karzai may be keen to show he is committed to taking control of sub-national governance before his visit to Camp David in early August. The announcement that he is moving the Civil Administration (sub-national governance) division out of MOI into a discrete, new division in the Office of the President complements his decisive move on the governors (Septel). END COMMENT. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS FOR NEW GOVERNORS AND CANDIDATES (ALPHABETICAL ORDER): -------------- - ¶12. (C) Khwaja Khausuddin (AKA Ghulam Ghas) ABUBAKIR, the new Kapisa governor and former Takhar Governor, was born in 1950 in Kohistan, now in Kapisa Province. After graduation from high school, he became a teacher at a local school and later principal. Abubakir is reported to have been head of the cultural office in Kapisa-Parwan for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and following the emergence of the Rabbani Government, was also a member of Hezb-e Islami. He took refuge in Pakistan during the Taliban era. He was appointed governor of Takhar Province in June 2005. Abubakir's term as Governor of Takhar has been marked by his inability or disinterest in managing the affairs of the province. Although he regularly talks about collecting weapons and demanding compliance with DIAG (Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups) activities, he has done little to reign in local power brokers. Takhar Province remains largely under the control of former commanders like Mutalib Beg, a former provincial police chief, and Qazi Kabir, the former Takhar Governor and current parliamentarian. Abubakir is married with 15 children. ¶13. (C) Bas Mohammad AHMADI, the new Ghor Governor, was the Commander of Herat Army Corps Number Four, Reshkhur Division, in Kabul prior to DDR. He was reportedly involved in corruption, illegally distributing all the government lands in the Darul Aman area to his followers. Unlike the technocratic previous governor, he is a close affiliate of Rabbani, and a member of Jamiat. UNAMA says he is apparently not noted for competence, but that his status as an ex-commander could be helpful in dealing with the insurgency in southern Ghor. ¶14. (C) Qazi ENAYAT Enayatullah, rumored to be a candidate for Faryab Governor, is an Uzbek, Afghan-Australian dual national from Faryab. He opposes Dostum and was appointed by Karzai to serve as one of the five members of the Senior Appointments Board. According to UNAMA, he has used his position on the Board to support appointments for his allies -- and Dostum opponents -- in the North. He served as governor of Faryab, but was ousted in 2003 in "a coup" he alleges was organized by Dostum. He then served as governor of Badghis until late 2006. He has tried to get Karzai more involved in Faryab, and pushed for DDR and for a stronger ANA and ANP presence in the province. Junbesh Youth leader Najibullah Salimi has warned the Norwegian PRT that his appointment could lead to further protests. ¶15. (C) Abdul Latif IBRAHIMI, the new Takhar governor, was Governor of Faryab from August 2004 to July 2007, and previously Governor of Kunduz-Samangan. An Uzbek born in the early 1960s into one of the most prominent families in Kunduz, Ibrahimi is a graduate of the Takharistan Madrassa in Kunduz City. A senior mujahideen commander in Kunduz during the anti-Soviet jihad, he was one of Dostum's subcommanders with the Northern Alliance and enjoyed a close association with Ahmed Shah Massoud. After the defeat of the Taliban, he was appointed Governor in Kunduz under a Tajik/Uzbek power sharing agreement. He remains an ally of Dostum and a Faryab Jumbesh loyalist. The Norwegian-led PRT in Maimana, Faryab's capital, is critical of Ibrahimi, who they reported is corrupt and embroiled in several scandals including a land deal under investigation by the Attorney General,s office. He is notorious for the collection illegal taxes and KABUL 00002505 004 OF 004 extortion, and one of his two brothers is reportedly a narco-trafficker. ¶16. (C) Mohammad Ashraf NASERI, the new Badghis Governor, is a 50 year old Pastun born in Paktia. He is married with four children. He has a master's degree in management from a university in Pakistan and has lectured in geography at Kabul University. He spent 23 years in Pakistan before returning to Kabul after the collapse of the Communist regime. Prior to his appointment as governor, he was Director General for Policy and Coordination at the Ministry of Counter Narcotics and Chief of Staff to the Minister for Counter-Narcotics. A close Embassy CN contact, he attended the German Marshall Center, traveled to South Korea and Colombia on U.S.- sponsored counter-narcotics study tours, and visited the U.S. on a IV program. He has also been an advisor to the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, a UNHCR program officer, and director of an NGO with ten programs in Badghis. During the jihad, he was a program officer for an international NGO providing medical aid to Afghans in Pakistan. He told us his priorities as governor are education, access to health care jobs creation, providing security for the pistachio harvest in July (Badghis' major cash-crop that is often harvested illegally by outsiders),and implementing the government's agenda in Badghis. ¶17. (C) Qazi Alam RASIKH, rumored to be a candidate for Faryab Governor, is an Uzbek originally from Maimana, Faryab province, and educated in a Madrassa in Faryab. He belongs to General Abdul Malik's Hezb-e Azadi, the Uzbek party rivaling Dostum in Faryab Province. As former governor of Baghlan until 2006, he was considered corrupt, ineffectual, and uneducated. According to the PRT at the time, "the Tajiks just about tolerate him, the Pashtuns deride him, and even the Uzbeks don't support him." Appointed by Karzai, Rasikh had no power base of his own. PolFSNs tell us that Malek and his supporters are hated in Faryab, with the exception of Shrin Tagab district, Malek's birthplace. Maimana is also home to Junbesh Youth Leader Salimi, who would vigorously oppose Rasikh's appointment. ¶18. (C) Abdullah WARDAK, the new Logar Governor, is a Pashtun born in 1952 in Wardak province. After graduating from the Kabul Military Academy, Wardak served in the Afghan Army from 1973 to 1978 before joining the Mujahideen to fight the Communists. He was a member of Abdul Sayyaf's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, now the Islamic Call of Afghanistan, and he remains a close associate of Sayyaf. He was appointed Deputy Defense Minister in 1992 after the Mujahideen victory, but never served in the position. He fought with the Northern Alliance against the Taliban from 1995 to 2001. He served as the Minister of Martyrs and Disabled from 2001 to 2004 during the Interim Government of Afghanistan. He has held no official position in the three years since the Presidential election in 2004. He speaks Dari, Arabic, English, and some Russian. ¶19. (C) Hashim ZARE, rumored to be a candidate for Faryab Governor, is of mixed Pashtun-Uzbek background and is currently an advisor to President Karzai and an opponent of Dostum. He lived in the United States and has a PhD. His candidacy is supported by the PRT, MOI, and the UNAMA office in Faryab, who said he is well educated, well-connected "in a good way", and a stabilizing influence in the province. Zare negotiated the appointment of the competent and largely apolitical Faryab deputy governor Baresh, to whom Governor Ibrahimi has delegated important but politically unrewarding tasks such as the Provincial Development Plan. WOOD