EMBASSY KABUL RESPONSE TO ROK PLANS FOR MORE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002775 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/A N(ANGAHA),EAP/K, EUR RPM CENTCOM FOR CG CJTF-101, POLAD, CSTC-A, SOUTHCOM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: MARR PREL SMIL MASS PTERKS AF KS SUBJECT: EMBASSY KABUL RESPONSE TO ROK PLANS FOR MORE ASSISTANCE TO AFGHANISTAN REF: SEOUL 01434 Classified By: Ambassador William Wood, Reason 1.5(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In response to reftel, regarding ROKG's interest in expansion of its vocational training program in Afghanistan, post would be very interested in sharing information on our experiences in implementing a successful vocational training program in Konar province. The Konar program consisted of three month courses in basic trade skills, including carpentry, electricity, plumbing, painting and masonry. We believe the Konar program could serve as a model for other programs throughout Afghanistan. We stand ready to consult with the ROKG and the IRoA to identify appropriate vocational training for Afghanistan. ¶2. (C) With regard to police training, post does not support sending Afghan National Police (ANP) to Seoul for training as suggested in reftel. Sending police trainers to Afghanistan and providing equipment would be more conducive to effective long-term mentoring as well as demonstrating confidence in the Afghan institutions currently under development. Weapons, ammunition, and equipment donations are best coordinated via the International Security Cooperation Directorate, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A). ANP equipment requirements include: WEAPONS: -NSV 12.7 MACHINE GUN -RPK MACHINE GUN -PKM MACHINE GUN -40 MM GRENADE LAUNCHER -GP 25-30 GRENADE LAUNCHER -9MM PISTOLS AMMUNITION: -7.62X39MM BALL -7.62X39MM TRACER -7.62X54MM BALL -7.62X54MM TRACER -40MM HE FRAGMENTATION GRENADES OG-7 EQUIPMENT: -EXPANDABLE BATON/BATON HOLDER -HANDCUFFS/HANDCUFF HOLDER -BOOTS-SUMMER -BOOTS-WINTER -NIGHT VISION GOGGLES VEHICLES: -BUS-24 PAX -DETAINEE TRANSPORTATION VAN -FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT -FIRE C2 VEHICLE -FIRE TRUCK, PUMPER RESCUE 500GL -FIRE TRUCK VEHICLE, MINI PUMPER -FIRE TRUCK WATER PUMPER -FIRE TRUCK AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING -POLICE MOTORCYCLES OTHER ITEMS: -LAUNDRY ROOM EQUIPMENT-WASHERS -LAUNDRY ROOM EQUIPMENT-DRYERS -CONNEXES, LARGE METAL STORAGE CONTAINERS -PHYSICAL FITNESS EQUIPMENT -GYMNASIUMS -OBSTACLE COURSES -BLANKETS ¶3. (C) Initial coordinating efforts are underway to potentially host an ROK working-level delegation to Kabul in order to study various ways of assisting Afghan reconstruction, to include the provision of military and police equipment and the possibility of sending ROK police instructors to Afghanistan. WOOD