Cablegate: Voter Registration Security Plan Emerges

VZCZCXRO1536
PP RUEHPW
DE RUEHBUL #1813 2010736
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190736Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4737
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

UNCLAS KABUL 001813

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL MARR AF
SUBJECT: VOTER REGISTRATION SECURITY PLAN EMERGES

REF: KABUL 1701

1. (SBU) The Independent Electoral Commission's security
advisor, a seconded Canadian military officer, presented his
voter registration security plan (emailed to SCA/A) to the
elections security working group on July 17. It includes a
threat assessment, spells out the roles of the Ministry of
Interior (MOI), Ministry of Defense (MOD), National
Directorate for Security (NDS), and ISAF, and addresses
inter-agency coordination and communications. The plan
recommends a "voter registration security center" be located
at the National Police Coordination Center.

2. (SBU) Under the plan, the Ministry of Interior is the
lead agency for voter registration security. IROA agencies
and ISAF representatives agree MOD will back up MOI, NDS will
provide intelligence support, and ISAF will offer security
and logistics support "in extremis." MOI representatives
have repeatedly said the ANSF will re-deploy forces from
other areas to support registration as needed. The MOI will
present its elaboration of the voter registration security
plan to the Security Operations Group (SOG) on July 19, and
stage a "command post exercise" (without troop movements) in
September. The MOD will brief the SOG August 2 on the Afghan
National Army's supporting role.

3. (SBU) Relations between the MOI and MOD on elections
security and other issues are not always cordial. MOD
representatives sometimes bristle at perceived MOI
high-handedness in ordering the disposition of MOD assets.
The MOD's August 2 SOG presentation will give us an
indication of the two ministries' willingness to cooperate on
securing the autumn voter registration.
WOOD

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