KUNDUZ PROVINCIAL SECURITY: IMPROVING COORDINATION AND

UNCLAS KABUL 000467 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FR CG CJTF-82, POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV AF SUBJECT: KUNDUZ PROVINCIAL SECURITY: IMPROVING COORDINATION AND DEVELOPING CAPACITY ¶1. (SBU) Summary: PRT Kunduz has successfully instituted several coordination mechanisms for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and ISAF in the province. The measures have improved cooperation within the ANSF, as well as between ANSF and ISAF. The successful re-launch of Kunduz's Joint Provincial Coordination Center (JPCC),greater ANSF involvement in operational planning, and the transition of responsibility for coordination to Afghan actors will further improve performance on security issues. Coordination Mechanisms: Police, Provincial and Tri-provincial -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The United States, Germany and the European Union are all engaged in police assistance in Kunduz. PRT Kunduz instituted a weekly police coordination meeting in summer 2007 to de-conflict efforts and ensure that Afghan police receive necessary training, mentoring and equipment. Participants include German military police, German Police Project Office, U.S. Army Police Mentoring Teams (PMT),DynCorp police trainers, EU Police Mission (EUPOL), United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan (UNAMA),U.S. PRTOff, and Afghan National Police (ANP). The German military police currently host the weekly meeting, but the German PRT leadership would like EUPOL to assume responsibility for coordination. ¶3. (SBU) The Governor, Chief of Police, National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Commander of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 2nd Kandak meet with the PRT, U.S. Army PMT and UNAMA every week to discuss Kunduz's security situation. In addition to a weekly REPORT of incidents and activities, the meeting is an opportunity to reach agreement on programs and emphasize the linkages between security, governance and development. NDS hosts the meeting and the Governor chairs it, while the PRT sets the date and ensures attendance. ¶4. (SBU) PRT Kunduz launched a tri-provincial security meeting in summer 2007 for Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces to address cross-border security. Every other month, participants from Takhar and Baghlan travel to Kunduz for the meeting. The meetings have addressed issues such as criminal groups in Bangi district (Takhar province),re-integration of insurgents, and the JPCC. The meeting gives officials in the three provinces access to ANSF elements, such as ANA and Afghan Border Police, and international elements, such as UNAMA, which are not physically located in their provinces. Goals for 2008: Operational JPCC, Joint Operational Planning, Afghan Ownership -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) During the tri-provincial meeting on January 20, 2008, participants from all three provinces endorsed the concept of the JPCC. Kunduz will soon inaugurate a new building built by the provincial police with assistance from the PMT. The remaining challenges are to identify ANSF liaison personnel and, with the assistance of a DynCorp mentor, to develop the Center's operational capabilities. Takhar and Baghlan have also expressed interest in having JPCCs. ¶6. (SBU) Joint operations with ANSF have played a key role in recent PRT operations. The ANA with the German Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams (OMLTs) and the ANP with the German military police have recently operated in Khanabad and Aliabad districts of Kunduz province. In 2008, the PRT will try to expand participation to other international actors and involve ANSF even more in the planning process. ¶7. (SBU) A third priority is transitioning responsibility for the security coordination mechanisms from the PRT to the ANSF. This change will improve the operational capabilities of the ANSF and the governance capabilities of provincial officials. Through these security mechanisms, ANSF and ISAF are better able to address insurgent threats. WOOD