INTERIOR MINISTER ATMAR ON CANDIDATE SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 001144

SIPDIS

BUENOS AIRES FOR AMB WAYNE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2019
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER ATMAR ON CANDIDATE SECURITY

REF: A. KABUL 994

B. KABUL 1116

Classified By: Acting DCM Alan Yu, Reason 1.5 b and d

!. (C) Interior Minister Atmar on May 3 told us he had
recently reached out to the major possible presidential
candidates to discuss their personal SECURITY and offer
options for protection. In conversations with Abdullah,
Ashraf Ghani, Ahadi, and Jalali (Ref A),Atmar offered a
choice among four SECURITY packages: 1) Afghan NATIONAL Civil
Order Police (ANCOP),the country's best-trained and
-equipped force; 2) Afghan NATIONAL Police (ANP) troops of
the candidates' choice; 3) integration of candidates' private
security STAFF into the ANP; 4) special licensing for private
security STAFF of the candidates' choice.


2. (C) Abdullah told Atmar he would consider the four
options. (In a previous conversation, Abdullah told us he
would accept ANCOP protection, option 1.) Ashraf Ghani,
Atmar said, picked option 4, a special license for private
security of his choice. Ahadi, who already employs private
security staff, is also leaning toward option 4. Jalali has
dropped out. Regarding protection for candidates' families,
Ahadi's existing arrangements cover his close family as well,
while family members of Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani live
abroad.


3. (SBU) Atmar asked for USG help in identifying trainers
for a short course in VIP protection for ANCOP troops. He
designated General Mangal to work this issue with us; we will
follow up with Mangal. Atmar expects most minor candidates
will prefer the ANCOP option. As reported Ref B, the police
will not provide dedicated personal SECURITY details to the
bevy of provincial COUNCIL candidates.
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