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P 111325Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4657
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 KABUL 000096 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: NEW AFGHAN CABINET NOMINEES 
 
REF: A. KABUL 47 
     ¶B. KABUL 62 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Annie Pforzheimer reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C)  Summary: The Afghan Lower House (Wolesi Jirga, WJ) 
received President Karzai's list of 16 cabinet nominations on 
January 9; there were no repeated names from the last list 
with a slate primarily comprised of political unknowns.  This 
new list appears to be Karzai's attempt to balance pragmatic 
deals with influential MPs with his promises to nominate new 
faces that have the right educational credentials (if not 
actual relevant experience).  However, many MPs have told us 
they are unimpressed and likely to vote down a significant 
number of these weak "nobodies", claiming that they were 
selected to be Karzai's puppets and still represent deals 
made with traditional powerbrokers.  Notably, former 
commander Ismail Khan, the last of the former warlords with a 
cabinet ministry, was not re-nominated.  Women's groups are 
elated to have obtained three ministerial nominees.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) The following cabinet nominees were announced on 
January 9: 
 
--Foreign Affairs - Zalmay Rassoul 
--Justice - Habibullah Ghuleb 
--Higher Education - Dr. Muhammad Hashim Hesmatullahee 
--Hajj - Dr. Mohammad Yusuf Niazi 
--Public Works - Engineer Bashir Lalee 
--Public Health - Dr. Suraya Dalil (female) 
--Economy - Arghandewal 
--Commerce - Mohammad Hadi Hakimi 
--Rural Development - Jarullah Mansoori 
--Labor, Social Affairs and Martyred - Amena Safi Afzali 
(female) 
--Transportation - Abdul Rahim Orazi 
--Women's Affairs - Palwasha Hassan (female) 
--Refugee Affairs - Eng. Abdul Rahim 
--Tribal and Border Affairs - Arsala Jamal 
--Counternarcotics - Zarar Ahmad Moqbel 
--Urban Development - Engineer Sultan Hussein Hasari 
 
On January 10: 
--Communications - Abdul Qadoos Hamidi 
 
---------------- 
A Third Tranche? 
---------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Second Vice President Khalili, who presented the names 
to the WJ, lobbied the MPs hard to finish the cabinet 
approval process before the January 28 London Conference.  WJ 
Speaker Qanooni also noted at the same plenary session the 
presidential decree calling for extraordinary WJ sessions 
until the cabinet approval process was over, thereby 
formalizing the WJ's indefinite extension and underscoring 
the urgency of the process.  Most MPs think the approval 
process will last from 7 - 10 days for this second tranche of 
nominees.  MP Fawzia Koofi (Tajik, Badakhshan) echoed a 
common theme when she told us January 11 that a third tranche 
of nominees was certain, as most of these nominees were 
considered too weak and unqualified.  She said many 
candidates had connections to traditional powerbrokers, 
claiming that the Energy and Water Ministry will be given to 
an individual loyal to Ismail Khan.  Ishaq Gailani (Paktika, 
Pashtun) also told us MPs were already talking about the 
"third list," claiming this list was the lucky one that would 
provide candidates with the highest likelihood of passing. 
 
¶4. (C) MP Mohammad Dawood Sultanzoy (Ghazni, Pashtun) told us 
January 9 that "he had no idea who most of these people were" 
and that many nominees were "political nobodies" and would 
not earn the NA's vote of confidence.  MP Khalid Pashtun 
(Pashtun, Kandahar) told us about 30-40% of these candidates 
would not obtain the NA's approval, making a third tranche 
likely.  MP Helaludin Helal (Tajik, Baghlan) said only five 
of these candidates would pass, and that Karzai selected 
these weak individuals so he could control them like 
"puppets."  He claimed those with access to significant 
financial resources however, like the reported drug 
mafia-linked counternarcotics minister candidate, could pay 
off MPs to obtain approval votes. 
 
------------------ 
Winners and Losers 
------------------ 
 
¶5.  (C) The political winners of this cabinet nominee list 
included some powerful factions in the Parliament, probably 
reflecting Karzai's interest in getting nominees through. 
 
KABUL 00000096  002 OF 004 
 
 
Some of these groups include: the Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan 
party (HIA), MPs from the five central-north Provinces, 
women, and according to some, former president Professor 
Rabbani's Jamiat party.  HIA obtained two more nominees 
bringing their total to three.  Former presidential candidate 
Dr. Abdullah's most influential supporter Rabbani now has two 
of his affiliates nominated (vice none the last time), 
although Rabbani's son Salahuddin Rabbani says these 
selections fell short of promises and were meant to "divide 
Jamiat."  Tajik leaders Abdullah, Rabbani, and Marshall Fahim 
disagree strongly about Tajik nominees and dealings with 
Karzai.  Abdullah refused to participate in Karzai's 
government, despite an offer to become the Foreign Minister 
made January 6, according to MP and Abdullah-supporter Ishaq 
Gailani.  Contrarily, Rabbani wants stronger Tajiks 
candidates who are closer to him, while Marshal Fahim prefers 
candidates who reflect his close Karzai relationship. 
 
¶6.  (C) MPs from the central North also obtained three slots 
after they joined forces to vote against many of Karzai's 
first tranche of candidates on the grounds that they had no 
geographic representation in the cabinet.  Females make up 
outspoken member of the previous cabinet. 
However, he is likely to perform about as well as the 
incumbent.  He speaks Pashtu, Dari, English, French, Italian 
and Arabic. 
 
--Justice - Habibullah Ghuleb.  Tajik.  He was nominated by 
the infamous Northern Alliance warlord MP Ustad Abdurab 
Rasoul Sayyaf, and his Islamic Call Political Party.  Parwan. 
 PhD in Sharia Law.  He was nominated for the 9th Supreme 
Court Justice slot in 2006, but Parliament rejected his 
nomination.  However, conservatives in Parliament remain one 
of the most powerful voting blocks.  Many MPs claimed his 
performance at his approval hearing January 11 was dismal; 
when asked about his strategy for the Justice Ministry, he 
responded that it was Karzai's responsibility to provide him 
with a strategy, and therefore he had no strategy.  The MPs 
laughed at Ghuleb's answers on several occasions. 
 
--Higher Education - Dr. Muhammad Hashim Hesmatullahee. 
Kazilbash.  Many MPs allege he was nominated by the Iranians; 
in the past he has helped MPs with Iranian visas.  Shia. 
Kabul.  BA in Literature from the Kabul University, MA from 
 
KABUL 00000096  003 OF 004 
 
 
Tehran's Tabatabai University in Journalism.  He has been a 
lecturer at the Journalism Department at the Kabul University 
since 2004, and served as the head of the Union of Afghan 
Journalists.  He speaks Dari, Pashtu and English. 
 
--Hajj and Religious Affairs - Dr. Mohammad Yusuf Niazi. 
Pashtun.  Sayyaf's Islamic Call Party.  Nangarhar.  PhD in 
Islamic Studies.  He worked in the Justice sector during the 
time of the former King Zahir Shah. 
 
--Public Works - Engineer Bashir Lalee.  Hazara. He was 
supported by Khalili and Mohaqqeq.  Bachelors in 
Construction.  Ghazni.  His father was a former Minister of 
Mines under Zahir Shah. 
 
--Public Health - Dr. Suraya Dalil.  Female.  Uzbek.  Former 
warlord General Dostum and the Junbesh Political Party. 
Jowzjan.  She obtained her MA from Harvard in Public Health 
in 2003, and is particularly dedicated to maternal health 
issues.  She used to work with UNICEF, Doctors Without 
Borders, and the International Organization for Migration. 
Former Health Minister Fatimie held a negative assessment of 
Dalil, telling us that she, "has no familiarity with the MoPH 
policies and strategies, and her nomination would cause 
unfavorable and harsh consequences on the health sector." 
 
--Economy - Haji Abdul Hadi Arghandewal.  Pashtun.  He is the 
head of the Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan Party (HIA).  BA in 
Economics.  He is also currently one of Karzai's Tribal 
Advisors.  His exposure to the West -- he lived in the U.S. 
for a few years and still has family in California -- has 
made him a notable moderate on economic and social issues in 
a party whose membership gravitates to conservative Islamic 
beliefs.  He was Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's financial officer for 
much of the 1980s.  He has modernized the party and renounced 
the use of violence, and broke with Hekmatyar in the late 
1990s.  However, many in the party base remains predominantly 
loyal to Hekmatyar, and he no doubt remains in some contact 
with him.  He is perhaps the best face that HIA could put 
forward.  He speaks Dari, Pashtu and English. 
 
--Commerce - Mohammad Hadi Hakimi.  Hazara.  He is associated 
with influential Hazara former warlord Haji Mohammad Mohaqqeq 
and his branch of the Wahdat party.  Ghazni.  He received his 
Law Degree in Canada and his BA in International Commerce in 
Iran.  He refused his nomination, however, on January 11 
citing family issues.  MPs claimed to us that in addition to 
his worries about losing his Canadian citizenship, he did not 
want to become a weak minister with two masters, Karzai and 
Mohaqqeq. 
 
--Rural Development - Jarullah Mansoori.  Tajik.  He is 
associated with influential MP Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani 
and his Jamiat party according to many MPs, but Rabbani's son 
Salahuddin told us January 11 that he is a candidate of 
Marshal Fahim.  Badakhshan.  MA in Political Science.  Former 
Deputy Director in the Afghan Environmental Agency.  He comes 
from a religious family that some local staff consider 
fundamentalist.  The Canadian Embassy is verifying whether or 
not he is a citizen. 
 
--Labor, Social Affairs and Martyred - Amena Safi Afzali. 
Female.  Tajik.  Rumored to be associated with Rabbani's 
Jamiat Party, associated with Fahim Khan and Rabbani.  Herat. 
 BA in Biology from Kabul University.  She was a delegate at 
the constitutional Loya Jirga.  Member of Afghan Independent 
Human Rights Commission.  She taught Biology at Kabul 
University, and fled to Iran during the Russian invasion. 
Her husband, a well-known jihadi fighter, was killed by the 
Russians. 
 
--Transportation - Abdul Rahim Ouras.  Turkman.  Former 
warlord General Dostum and the Junbesh Political Party. 
Faryab.  Phd in Construction.  No one in the Transportation 
Ministry appears to knows him, and neither do their contacts, 
including the Acting Minister of Transport Alami.  Many MPs 
told us he performed poorly during the question and answer 
period of his approval hearing January 11.  Other MPs told us 
he has good work experience, but it will be difficult for him 
to overcome the Dostum stigma and obtain enough MP votes. 
 
--Women's Affairs - Palwasha Hassan.  Female.  Pashtun.  Some 
think she is associated with Pir Gailani.  Kabul.  Bachelor 
of Science from a University in Pakistan.  MA in Post 
Conflict Recovery from the York University in the UK.  She 
established the Afghan Women's Education Center, and 
co-founded the Afghan Women's Network.  The Embassy considers 
her a very good selection -- the United States Institute of 
Peace highly recommends her.  She speaks Pashtu, Dari, Urdu 
and English. 
 
 
KABUL 00000096  004 OF 004 
 
 
--Refugee Affairs - Eng. Abdul Rahim.  Tajik.  He is 
associated with Marshal Fahim and influential MP Professor 
Burhanuddin Rabbani and his Jamiat party, although Rabbani no 
longer supports Rahim's candidacy according to Rabbani's son 
and several Tajik MPs close to Jamiat.  This has caused Rahim 
to reconsider his candidacy, for fear that without Rabbani he 
will not get enough votes.  Badakhshan.  BA in Engineering 
from the Kabul-based Polytechnic University.  He served as a 
representative of Jamiat for 10 years with assignments in 
China, Washington, and Islamabad, under Rabbani.  He has also 
served as Afghanistan's Ambassador to Indonesia.  Most 
criticize this selection, since he has no relevant 
background, but instead has an affiliation with traditional 
Afghan powerbrokers and former commanders.  MP Helal claimed 
that when Rahim was the first Commerce Minister in Karzai's 
government, he was removed due to corruption allegations.  He 
speaks Dari, Pashtu and English. 
 
--Tribal and Border Affairs - Arsala Jamal.  Pashtun. 
Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan.  Khost.  Bachelor of Economics 
from the University of Malaya.  He served as the Khost 
Governor from 2006 - 2008, but resigned and moved back to 
Canada in 2008 after the at least six assassination attempts. 
 Canadian citizen.  He was an active member of Karzai's 
campaign team.  He previously served as Chief Program 
Coordinator for Water and Sanitation at the Ministry of Rural 
Rehabilitation and Development.  He appears to have been a 
competent governor, although there were some uncorroborated 
rumors of corruption.  He speaks Pashtu, Dari and English. 
 
--Counternarcotics - Zarar Ahmad Moqbel.  Tajik.  Associated 
with First Vice President and former warlord Marshal Fahim. 
Parwan.  BA in Education from Parwan University, although 
many express doubt that he completed his degree.  Former 
Minister of Interior.  He was removed from office due to his 
reputation for ineffectiveness and allegations of corruption, 
according to ISAF.  He is perhaps the worst of the 
candidates.  Former Deputy Interior Minister and MP Helaludin 
Helal claimed to us January 11 that Moqbel was supported by 
the drug mafia, to include Karzai's younger half-brother 
Ahmed Wali Karzai and Arif Khan Noorzai.  He joined the jihad 
against the Soviets in 1988, and later served as the Kabul 
police chief; he also worked at Afghanistan's Embassy in 
Tehran.  He speaks Dari, Pashtu and English. 
 
--Urban Development - Engineer Sultan Hussein Hasari. 
Hazara.  Associated with Second Vice President Khalili and 
his branch of the Wahdat party.  Wardak.  Bachelor of Science 
in Architecture from the Iran National University.  He 
resettled in Denmark and started PhD studies in Aalborg.  A 
member of the Association of Academic Architects and the 
Federation of Danish Architects, he has worked on projects in 
Iran and Afghanistan; he has also been a visiting lecturer in 
these countries. 
 
--Communications - Abdul Qadoos Hamidi.  His nomination was 
announced on January 10.  Jowzjan.  Dostum and the Junbesh 
party.  He has a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Kabul 
University in communications and technology.  He was the 
Deputy Minister of Mines, and lectured at the Information 
Institute in Pakistan and Balkh University. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Jihadi Credentials Still Featured 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (C) Afghan society and the WJ still places a significant 
value on what the candidates did during the war years, 
including if they fought and if they were in exile.  What 
biographic information the cabinet nominees and the Karzai 
government has decided to give to the Parliament underscores 
this.  The Health Minister's biographic statement includes 
notes that her husband died "fighting the soviets."  The 
Counternarcotics nominee "joined the jihad against the USSR 
in 1988," and Public Health Minister Soraya Dalil's bio 
states that, "despite civil war, she remained in Afghanistan 
for much of the 1990s" and "soon after the Taleban government 
emerged, she shifted to neighboring Pakistan with her 
family." 
EIKENBERRY