Cablegate: Anti-Corruption Conference Calls for Qualified Public

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #4120/01 3560435
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220435Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4283

UNCLAS KABUL 004120

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP STAFF AND SCA/A

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR KJUS EAID AF
SUBJECT: ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE CALLS FOR QUALIFIED PUBLIC
SERVANTS AND STREAMLINED PROCEDURES

1. (U) Summary: President Karzai opened the National
Anti-Corruption Conference December 15-17, 2009, before 250
attendees that included parliamentarians, academicians, media and
diplomatic representatives. He invoked national pride to fight
against the image of being one of the most corrupt countries in the
world. Referring to daily accusations of corruption against
government officials, he said whether the propaganda is right or
wrong, it is the Afghan people's responsibility to stamp out
corruption in Afghanistan. End Summary.

2. (U) President Karzai spoke at the opening session of the National
Anti-Corruption Conference December 15, 2009. To the more than 250
attendees, including parliamentarians, academicians, media and
diplomatic representatives in attendance, Karzai invoked national
pride to fight against the image of being one of the most corrupt
countries in the world. He called for realistic expectations of
what can be accomplished, warning that corruption won't be
eliminated in one day or one year. He said actions rather than
slogans are needed for the fight. Karzai tasked the conference
participants to discuss ideas, to exchange views with each other to
develop realistic, practical measures to produce results in
eliminating corruption.

Simplify bureaucracy to fight corruption
----------------------------------------

3. (U) Pointing to unnecessary bureaucracy as one of the sources of
corruption, Karzai said simplifying government procedures and
regulations would reduce bureaucracy which is a primary source of
corruption. He used the example of the driver's license application
process which requires 25 steps, each its own opportunity for
corruption. Karzai suggested that streamlining procedures to
require driver's license applicants visit only one office rather
than many will not only simplify the process and improve efficiency
but also reduce opportunities for corruption. Karzai cited the
United Kingdom, India, and Singapore as examples of countries where
unnecessary bureaucratic steps and the need for political
connections for licensing or taxes have been eliminated.

Service for the public not personal gain
----------------------------------------

4. (SBU) Addressing public salaries, Karzai suggested that many
Afghan government employees are getting rich in one or two years.
With salaries on average of 100 USD per month, he said there should
be no way they should have the means to travel abroad, buy property,
a house, car or even a bicycle, and yet they do. Observing that
even the President of Afghanistan could not afford to travel abroad
without special government allowances, he disclosed that he had
completed his asset declaration which indicated he had $10,000 -
$15,000 USD in a German bank account. Karzai challenged ministers
and deputies, even parliamentarians to disclose their assets and
financing of their property. Anyone expecting to work in the Afghan
government, he said, should do so to serve the people not to get
rich. He indicated that money can be earned through business, but
government employment should not be the source of personal gain.

Foreign Money Brings Foreign Influence
--------------------------------------

5. (U) Turning to foreign influence as another source of corruption,
Karzai called for an end of foreigners "secretly" paying government
employees and providing them with vehicles without informing the
government. Without citing any actual examples, he did suggest that
these payments weaken the government, leads to corruption and
establishes a parallel government within the government. Declaring
that there is only one source of power and administration, he called
upon Afghanistan's foreign friends to end this problem. (Note: The
United States and the international community fund salaries and
supplements for Afghan government employees through a transparent,
basket fund, but the President's statement do not appear to be
asking that this support end.) Karzai called for a meritocracy to
de-politicize the process of hiring and promoting employees in the
Afghan government. He said that political affiliations should not
matter, and the government's administration and civil service should
be immune from political intervention. Afghan government hiring and
promotion practices need to follow international norms and
standards, because Afghan employees, including the president should
be in the "service of all."

Avoid corrupting the anti-corruption fight
------------------------------------------

6. (U) As he turned to local politics, Karzai cautioned that the
fight against corruption should not turn into corruption itself.
Referring to Kabul Mayor Abdul Ahad Sahebi who was recently
convicted of corruption and sentenced to four years in jail, then
subsequently released pending his appeal, Karzai called him "clean,"
an honest person who may have been unjustly accused. He challenged
the Attorney General's office to investigate whether the Mayor was

convicted upon false charges, but Karzai added, if the mayor was
rightfully convicted, then he "should spend four years in jail."
Karzai admitted that everyone in government has shortcomings, from
the president to low-profile government employees, but the fight
against corruption should not defame respectable individuals.

7. (U) Referring to government agencies charged with oversight and
reform, he said they should be apolitical. He said the people
should have the truth about the alleged fraud in the recent
elections from a thorough investigation, regardless of how long it
will take. The President concluded with the suggestion that the
conference be an annual event to work out problems and "our future"
together.

Rule of Law and Public Outreach
-------------------------------

8. (SBU) The Attorney General and the Acting Supreme Court Chief
Justice Bahuddin Baha reiterated Karzai's remarks. Baha reminded
the audience that the rule of law governs Afghanistan and that the
conference participants had an important role in developing ways to
combat corruption. He advised law enforcement to abide by and
implement court decisions. The Attorney General compared the fight
against corruption to removing a wall between the people and the
government, and that government offices, even his, need to
communicate more with the public. To accomplish this, he
established the AG's media unit to provide the public with
information, helping them understand the legal process and reassure
them of their safety and security.

Audience Reaction and Dissent
-----------------------------

9. (SBU) The audience showed little enthusiasm for the President's
address; lightly applauding the speech only three times during,
including when he switched from Pashto to Dari. Some laughed when
he said he was worth only $10,000 - 15,000.
Following Karzai, one of the Directors from the High Office of
Oversight received resounding applause when he all but directly
contradicted the President regarding Mayor of Kabul. (Comment: If
freely expressing different opinions advances an exchange of ideas
among conference participants, then the opening session moved
anti-corruption efforts one step in the right direction. End
Comment.)

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