VZCZCXRO1193
RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #3712/01 3220753
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180753Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3268
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
235269
2009-11-18
09KABUL3712
Embassy Kabul
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
09KABUL3185|09KABUL3419
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003712
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/A, AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KJUS EAID AF
SUBJECT: WAY FORWARD ON AFGHAN JUDICIAL SECURITY INITIATIVE
REF: A) Kabul 3185; B) Kabul 3419
1. (SBU) Summary: The Afghan Judicial Security Unit (JSU) is closer
to becoming operational within Kabul. The U.S. Marshals Service
(USMS) has completed a security assessment of the Supreme Court and
determined the number of JSU officers needed to secure the
Counter-Narcotics Justice Center (CNJC) and the Afghan Supreme
Court. Training is ongoing for unit members assigned to protect the
CNJC. The USMS is developing planning documents and identifying
immediate resource needs as well as possible funding sources to
enable the JSU grow to accomplish the larger judicial security
mission described below. As previously reported Ref A, strong USG
support and significant funding is needed to fully implement this
important Anti-Corruption/Rule of Law initiative. Post will outline
specific requests for funding and material support in a future cable
once Post completes a JSU mission and resource requirement analysis.
As a judge assigned to the CNJC commented to a DOJ mentor: good
judicial decisions are directly linked to good security. End
Summary.
2. (U) With the completion of a preliminary security needs
assessment for the Afghan Supreme Court and development of a list of
needed security upgrades and equipment, the U.S. Marshals Service
(USMS) and Department of Justice (DOJ), with support from INL, is
moving forward with standing up the Afghan Judicial Security Unit
(JSU). INL provided furniture, fixtures, and equipment valued at
approximately $125,000 for the JSU housing compound, located next to
the CNJC. Approximately 80% of the furniture was delivered and
assembled during the last week of October. The remaining furniture
is expected by mid-November. INL agreed to provide approximately
$2.1 million annually for O funding for the housing compound for
the next two years with a target start date of November 24. The
French government provided initial protective services training to
the current 54 members of the JSU, and will continue to do so as the
JSU grows over time until the unit is fully manned and trained.
Current Afghan JSU officers, with guidance from the USMS, are
providing firearms training for all CNJC judges. Ministry of
Interior Deputy Minister for Security Mangal and Deputy Minister for
Counternarcotics Daoud support moving the JSU from Counternarcotics
to the Special Operations Police Detachment supervised by DM
Mangal.
3. (U) The USMS performed a preliminary assessment and estimated the
minimum number of JSU officers needed to secure key judicial
institutions in Kabul, namely the CNJC, the Supreme Court, and the
Major Crimes Task Force compound (the total number will range from
245 to 760, depending on whether the judges are housed in compounds,
or whether the JSU is directed to provide 24/7 personal protection).
As a limited number of regional courts are identified to try
anti-corruption and low-level insurgent cases, the USMS, together
with Afghan JSU officers, will conduct additional assessments to
determine the security needs of judges working there. These
assessments will, in part, form the basis to request phased growth
of the JSU. Action officer level discussions with CSTC-A indicate
that any JSU growth must fit within the ANP growth plan currently
under evaluation by the International Community (i.e. grow the ANP
to a 160,000 person force by 2013).
4. (SBU) Post has identified the following actions necessary to
advance and sustain the JSU initiative: (1) Obtain MOI and Supreme
Court approval of the proposed multi-phased roll-out of the JSU
expansion, and manage Afghan expectations of the size of the JSU
force; (2) obtain approval from and U.S. and other donors for
funding for additional housing for the enlarged JSU force; and (3)
identify a location and U.S. or other funding for a Judicial
Security Unit training facility.
5. (U) Post is also supporting MOI in its efforts to prepare
documentation that: (1) immediately reassigns the 100 police
officers designated by DM Mangal in August to the JSU forming a
single unit under his command; (2) officially defines the JSU
mission and authorizes JSU officers to wear appropriate civilian
attire, i.e., plain clothes; and (3) changes the Tashkil (Afghan
unit manning and equipment document) to place the JSU under the
direct supervision of the Deputy Minister for Security and to
provide the JSU with nationwide investigative authority, which is
necessary for threat and fugitive investigations.
6. (U) Finally, Post has identified the following immediate resource
needs: armored vehicles (for which INL has set aside $1.5 million),
magnetometers, communications equipment, uniforms, including winter
gear and plain clothes, and security upgrades for the CNJC,
including a paved road. In addition to utilizing INL funding, the
Embassy is exploring the possibility of obtaining funding for this
equipment from other sources, including CSTC-A and international
partners such as the UK.
7. (SBU) Comment: Post will continue to engage with Afghan and
KABUL 00003712 002 OF 002
international partners to define the scope of the JSU, and to
identify both immediate and long term sustainment needs and funding
sources for both. Once mission analysis and resource requirements
are finalized, Post will outline specific unfulfilled requests for
funding and material support via cable. The JSU is designed to
build an effective security unit that will protect facilities,
judges and at-risk prosecutors and witnesses. It is a vital
component of our Anti-Corruption and Rule-of-Law efforts. End
comment.
Eikenberry