EMBASSY URGES THE HIGH OFFICE OF OVERSIGHT (HOO) LEADERS TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003986 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP STAFF, SCA/A, AND INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCOR AF SUBJECT: EMBASSY URGES THE HIGH OFFICE OF OVERSIGHT (HOO) LEADERS TO TAKE DECISIVE STEPS TOWARDS REFORM ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Coordinating Director for Development, Assistance and Economic Affairs, Ambassador Anthony Wayne, met with leaders of the High Office for Oversight of Implementation of the Anticorruption Strategy (HOO) on December 8 to discuss future reform and restructuring of the HOO and its legal foundations. The Ambassador expressed the need for a more independent and empowered anti-corruption authority for Afghanistan. HOO officials receptive, but emphasized the importance of any new changes being presented as Afghan proposals. At a press conference organized the next day in recognition of International Anti-Corruption Day, HOO Director General Mohamed Yseen Usmani called for reform of the HOO, and requested international assistance in establishing an oversight element. End summary. BACKGROUND: CONSENSUS AMONG INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN AFGHANISTAN THAT REFORM OF THE HOO IS NEEDED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) Background: International donors in Kabul have devoted significant time and energy over the past three months to discussing the appropriate form and function for an improved and strengthened anti-corruption authority in Afghanistan, a conversation that gained momentum with the statements of the Secretary of State and U.K. Prime Minister before the Presidential inauguration. While some Kabul delegations, particularly United Nations agencies, are skeptical of the need for wholesale restructuring, there is general agreement among many diplomatic missions, including the U.K. and U.S., that the current HOO does not have sufficient authority, independence, or capacity to effectively lead anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan. There is general consensus that the current HOO law needs significant revision to better define corruption and give greater powers and independence to the HOO, and that an international board should be appointed in some capacity to help oversee and direct the operations of the HOO. ¶3. (SBU) In addition to the empowered international board, the U.K. also advocates for a name change, that will demonstrate their new authority while keeping their small momentum and capacity. Embassy Kabul has actively participated in these discussions and largely concurs with U.K. proposals. Post's recommendations on HOO reform will be transmitted septel. End background. EMBASSY URGES INDEPENDENCE AND INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Coordinating Director for Development, Assistance, and Economic Affairs, Ambassador Anthony Wayne, met on December 8 with Professor Mohammed Yasin Usmani, Director General of the HOO, and Ershad Ahmadi, Deputy Director General. Sepideh Keyvanshad of the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan also participated in the discussion as did USAID anti-corruption advisor. The objective of the meeting was to present the expectations of the USG and other donors for a truly independent anti-corruption agency that includes international participation. The meeting was in anticipation of a press conference the HOO held on December 9 to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, and a December 15-17 national conference on anti-corruption. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Wayne presented the following expectations regarding the future of the HOO or a follow-on institution: 1) a robustly independent anti-corruption body with investigative powers and advisory role on prosecution, along with firm benchmarks/targets that cannot be manipulated; 2) an oversight advisory board for that body that includes international experts and has a strong role in appointments and direction; and 3) a comprehensive legal foundation supporting all anti-corruption efforts by a fully empowered anti-corruption body. He also highlighted that although an anti-corruption office is a key player in the fight against corruption, the U.S. recognizes that the overarching institutional, legal, and procedural architecture must also be strengthened as well as law enforcement institutions. Greatly improved public financial management and auditing, for example, as well as strong law enforcement institutions (reftel) are essential elements of this architecture. "LET AFGHANS TAKE THE LEAD" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) Director General Usmani received these points positively and agreed that the HOO, in its present form, is not effective for meeting the challenges of combating corruption in Afghanistan. He recognized the need for complete reform, including independence and much-strengthened powers. He also affirmed that the recent statements by the Secretary of State, U.K. Prime Minister, and U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan have created the space for proposing transformative changes in Afghanistan's anti-corruption body and efforts. He stated that Afghans are happy about these statements, as they are also with the fact that the U.S. is interested in this very important issue. KABUL 00003986 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) The Director General indicated HOO officials have been considering similar ideas as they have encountered the challenges in their first year of operation. They have identified the need for a truly independent body that can be protected from undue influence; the potentially helpful role of an international advisory board that would also include representatives of civil society and the media; and the need to further define the resource and structural needs of such a body. At the same time, the Director General stated that he needs to study the ideas further and would have to carefully examine the legal requirements for establishing such a body quickly and for creation of an advisory board. He noted, for example, with regard to the possible powers of an advisory board, that the President would need to concur in senior appointments to a reformed organization and an advisory board. ¶8. (SBU) Most importantly, the Director General emphasized that these need to be seen as Afghan initiatives, not ideas imposed by internationals. He agreed that his December 9 speech would endorse the general principles, but that the best time to present a more detailed set of proposals with regard to transforming the HOO into a more effective anti-corruption body would be the upcoming national conference on December 15-17 in Kabul. Usmani said he did not foresee objections from the President to his proposals, though he predicted possible resistance from the Attorney General's office, given that proposed changes to HOO include greater investigatory powers and an advisory role on prosecutions. INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY PRESS EVENT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶9. In the December 9 press conference, organized the next day in recognition of International Anti-Corruption Day, HOO Director General Mohamed Yaseen Usmani called for reform of the HOO, and requested international assistance in establishing an oversight element. His speech endorsed legal and institutional reforms to strengthen the fight against corruption, and requested civil society, the media, and the international community "to establish an advisory board to support the existing institutional framework and ensure transparency and improve the fight against corruption." He said he would present several of these proposals for the overhaul of the HOO to President Karzai prior to the conference, including the idea of an advisory board including substantial international participation. COMMENT: BABY STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶10. Comment: The meeting with HOO officials was an important first step to show the U.S. is committed to a significantly transformed anti-corruption authority in Afghanistan. At the press conference the following day, HOO officials demonstrated their commitment to undertake many of the steps recommended by Ambassador Wayne. On December 15-17, the HOO will host a national conference on fighting corruption to include international participation. These modest steps suggest that the facets of the Afghan government are currently heading in the right direction. However, we caution that transformation of the HOO is just one of many initiatives that the Afghan government will need to undertake, with legal authority and in good faith to make a measurable difference in fighting corruption. End comment. Ricciardone