Cablegate: Prt/Lashkar Gah - Auxiliary Police Graduate

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OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #5731/01 3410909
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O 070909Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4579
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 3359
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
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RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
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RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 3387

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 005731

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR KIMMITT
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PREL PGOV AF
SUBJECT: PRT/LASHKAR GAH - AUXILIARY POLICE GRADUATE

REF: KABUL 5284

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In what should be considered a positive
start, the first class of Afghan National Auxiliary Police
(ANAP) graduated in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, on
November 16. DynCorp trainers reported that the training
went smoothly and that the 100 trainees were enthusiastic and
performed well. Drawn from eight districts, the ANAP were
then deployed to three districts, with many of the graduates
being assigned to man checkpoints. The second class
graduated on November 30. Training expanded to neighboring
Nahri Sarraj district on November 25, where 57 recruits have
nearly completed the course. After some confusion, recruits
from Musa Qala district joined the class in Lashkar Gah that
commenced on December 2. The only significant problem
encountered has been getting the ANAP paid, a problem
officials report has been resolved. END SUMMARY.

One hundred graduates deployed to three districts
--------------------------------------------- ----

2. (SBU) Following the inaugural course in Qalat in October
(REFTEL), the first class of Afghan National Auxiliary Police
(ANAP) graduated in Lashkar Gah (LKG), Helmand Province, on
November 16. Starting on November 4, one hundred recruits
(of a starting class of 102, the other two fell ill and were
scheduled to resume training in the next class) received a
basic introduction to police work from a MOI syllabus,
including conflict techniques, weapons familiarization,
checkpoint operation and field sanitation. Graduates also
received equipment (uniform, weapon and ammunition). The
training was conducted by DynCorp and Ministry of Interior
(MOI) trainers, with assistance from PRT military personnel.
DynCorp trainers described the recruits as enthusiastic about
training, and said they performed well; the trainers also
reported only a few logistical problems (e.g., no food for
one day of training).

3. (SBU) The trainees, drawn from eight districts, were
mostly raw, though some obviously had familiarity with
weapons. The recruiting process stemmed from an agreement
between Chief of Police General Nabijan, the MOI and tribal
leaders, with Nabijan and the MOI seeking assurances from the
tribal leaders that the recruits will observe the police
chain of command and the rule of law, otherwise they would be
expelled.

4. (SBU) Though the idea is to recruit locally and send back
ANAP loyal to their communities and therefore less likely to
engage in extortion (the reputation of the Afghan National
Police (ANP) in Helmand is one of corruption), Nabijan will
be able to distribute ANAP across Helmand, within limits set
for each district. The graduates of the first class will not
all be deployed to their own districts, with most going to
Garmser district (south of LKG), some to the LKG reserve and
smaller numbers to Nawa-I-Barakzayi (central district) and
LKG district center. Many of the graduates are being used to
man checkpoints.

5. (SBU) At the end of their year contract ANAP course
graduates can apply for a year,s extension or apply to the
regular ANP. During their year in the ANAP they will receive
one week of refresher training every three months, a
modification of the initial course.

Musa Qala recruits arrive for training
--------------------------------------

6. (SBU) Training continues in LKG, with two classes already
graduated (221 total) and the third underway. This third
class has approximately 160 recruits, and includes 20 from
Musa Qala district, where local leaders struck a deal with
the provincial governor government about providing for their
own security. Local leaders from the district accompanied
the recruits for the first day, and later expressed an
interest in sending additional recruits to future classes.

KABUL 00005731 002 OF 002

Training expands to second district
-----------------------------------

7. (SBU) Training expanded to Nahri Sarraj, the district
immediately to the north of LKG, on November 25 with
approximately 60 participating. Due to security concerns in
the district, the training in Nahri Sarraj is being conducted
by UK military and two DynCorp trainers. (NOTE: The only
recruitment center is in Lashkar Gah. The ANP is looking
into sending ANP up to Nahri Sarraj to recruit there. END
NOTE.)

Recurring problem: Salary nonpayment
-------------------------------------

8. (SBU) Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan,s
(CSTC-A) Police Reform Directorate (PRD) finance team has
included Helmand in its notably successful phased effort to
establish a direct pay system nationwide that would ensure
reliable payment of monthly salaries to individual policemen.
Payment under this system initially envisions using a
Ministry of Finance (MOF) agent, followed later by direct
payments through a Lashkar Gah bank. Electronic funds
transfers into individual bank accounts are the ultimate
goal. In the November 23 ANP staff meeting in Lashkar Gah,
director for training and education said that the ANAP had
not yet been paid, and blamed the MOF for the delay. ANP
officials promise that in the next pay period those ANAP
should receive both regular and back pay.

9. (SBU) In the months ahead, the hiring of security guards
related to infrastructure projects in northern Helmand could
present an attractive and lucrative alternative to the ANAP.
Nabijan is aware of this, and will work with tribal leaders
to prevent defections and hold ANAP to their year-long
contracts.

10. (SBU) COMMENT: The initial training course should be
judged a success. The only significant problem arising,
nonpayment of salary, has been a chronic problem in Helmand.
A resolution seems at hand, hopefully an enduring one. END
COMMENT.
NEUMANN

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