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8/3/2019 SIGAR Quarterly Report to Congress July 2011
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Special Inspector General for
Afghanistan ReconstructionSIGARJULY 30
2011
QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
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Cover Captions (clockwise from left):
Skilled Afghan workers help complete a micro-
hydropower plant in the village of Daste Riwat, har-
nessing the power of the Panjshir River. The facility
is one of 150 power plants that the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers is building in 7 provinces, using CERP
funds. The last unit is scheduled to be completed
in Parwan province this quarter. (ISAF photo,MSgt Michael OConnor)
An Afghan child receives care from a U.S. medic
during a Village Medical Operations Program clinic
in Uruzgan province on May 28. U.S. Special Opera-
tions Forces collaborated with a coalition Female
Treatment Team, Afghan commandos, and local
physicians to provide medical services and build
partnerships. (U.S. Army photo, SSgt Kaily Brown)
Afghan road workers upgrade the main route
through the Panjshir River Valley on May 21.
Supported by U.S. funds, the project will help the
GIRoA achieve its goal of improving transportation
corridors that link Afghan communities with internaland external markets. (ISAF photo,
MSgt Michael OConnor)
ANA trainees learn squad attack skills during
basic training at the Regional Military Training
Center on May 10 in Kandahar. This quarter, more
than 26,000 ANA personnel graduated from train-
ing programs funded by the Afghanistan Security
Forces Fundan increase of more than 4,400
since last quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo,
TSgt Adrienne Brammer)
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The National Deense Authorization Act or FY 2008 (P.L. 110-181)
established the Special Inspector General or Aghanistan
Reconstruction (SIGAR).
SIGARs oversight mission, as defned by the legislation, is to provide or the indepen-
dent and objective
conduct and supervision o audits and investigations relating to the programs and
operations unded with amounts appropriated or otherwise made available or the
reconstruction o Aghanistan.
leadership and coordination o, and recommendations on, policies designed to pro-
mote economy, efciency, and eectiveness in the administration o the programs
and operations, and to prevent and detect waste, raud, and abuse in such programs
and operations.
means o keeping the Secretary o State and the Secretary o Deense ully and
currently inormed about problems and defciencies relating to the administration o
such programs and operation and the necessity or and progress on corrective action.
Aghanistan reconstruction includes any major contract, grant, agreement, or other
unding mechanism entered into by any department or agency o the U.S. government
that involves the use o amounts appropriated or otherwise made available or the
reconstruction o Aghanistan.
Source:P.L. 110-181, National Deense Authorization Act or FY 2008, 1/28/2008.
Special Inspector General or
Aghanistan ReconstructionSIGAR JULY 302011
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LY 30
011
PAKTIKA
KHOWST
TAKHAR
BADAKHSHAN
BAGHLAN
BAMYAN
FARYAB
WARDAK
KUNAR
KUNDUZ
NURISTAN
NANGARHAR
FARAH
NIMROZHELMAND
KANDAHAR
URUZGAN
ZABUL
GHOR
GHAZNI
BALKH
BADGHIS
KABUL
KAPISA
PAKTIYA
LOGAR
LAGHMAN
JOWZJAN
PARWAN
SAR-E PUL
HERAT
DAYKUNDI
SAMANGAN
PANJSHIR
Provinces where SIGAR has conductedaudit and investigation work
Current SIGAR ofces
SIGAR RESULTS TO DATE
AUDITS 45 reports published by the audit directorate; 14 ongoing audits
136 recommendations, 64 in the frst six months o 2011
Up to $58.5 million identifed in contractor reunds not returned to the U.S. government Forensic audits o $39 billion in reconstruction unds managed by DoD, DoS, and USAID
INVESTIGATIONS 89 ongoing investigations, 52 involving procurement and contract raud
5 convictions, including one o a U.S. military reserve ofcer or soliciting more than $1 million in bribes to
inuence the award o reconstruction contracts
Support or the arrest o 2 Aghan citizens on charges o bribery
32 reerrals or suspension and debarment
637 Hotline complaints received; 269 reerred or investigative action by SIGAR and other agencies
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400 ARMY NAVY DRIVE ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22202
Very respectully,
Herbert Richardson
Acting Special Inspector General or Aghanistan Reconstruction
SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FO R
AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION
July 30, 2011
I am pleased to submit SIGARs quarterly report to the Congress on the U.S. reconstruction eort in Aghanistan in
compliance with the statutory requirements o Section 1229 o P.L. 110-181. This report documents SIGARs activities and
updates the status o reconstruction programs since our April 30, 2011 report.
The Congress has provided nearly $72.7 billion to rebuild Aghanistan since 2002. Earlier this year, SIGAR adjusted its
audit and investigations plans and implemented a much more aggressive strategy to provide comprehensive oversight
o these unds. As a result, this quarter SIGAR can report a number o accomplishments, including potential savings and
several arrests:
identifed up to $58.5 million in contractor reunds not returned to the U.S. government
identifed $1.6 million in expired, unused unds that have now been returned to the U.S. Treasury
supported fve arrests, including a U.S. military reserve ofcer charged with soliciting more than $1 million in
bribes or reconstruction contracts reerred six individuals and contractors or suspension and debarment
During this reporting period, SIGAR issued ive audits and one congressionally mandated report. The audits relect
SIGARs determination to conduct a balanced mix o contract and program audits to detect waste, raud, and abuse, and
to promote economy, eiciency, and eectiveness in the administration o programs and operations. SIGARs review o
the contract between the U.S. Army Corps o Engineers and a company to provide workers compensation insurance
identiied up to $58.5 million in reunds that were not returned to the U.S. government. In another audit, SIGAR ound
that insuicient controls over U.S. unds in Aghanistan are hampering U.S. eorts to develop the Aghan inancial
sector. SIGAR also ound that the Aghan government has not cooperated consistently with the United States, thereby
undermining U.S. eorts to develop the sector. SIGARs audit o the Aghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF)the
principal vehicle through which the United States and other international donors provide direct assistance to the Aghan
governmentidentiied challenges that need to be addressed to eectively oversee these unds.
This quarter, SIGAR investigators opened 29 cases, supported investigations that resulted in the arrest o 3 U.S. citizens
and 2 Aghan citizens, and reerred 6 individuals or companies or suspension and debarment. In one case, a U.S. military
reserve oicer pled guilty to receiving more than $400,000 and attempting to solicit more than $1 million in bribes or
inluencing the award o reconstruction contracts. SIGARs continuing support o Aghan law enorcement agencies led
to the arrest o two Aghan citizensone charged with oering bribes and the other with soliciting bribes. SIGARs work
with Aghan law enorcement oicials is particularly important because o the large number o reconstruction contracts
the United States is awarding to Aghan companies. Finally, SIGAR is expanding its eort to build cases or the suspension
and debarment o contractors who have been involved in raud or who have perormed poorly in executing contracts.
SIGAR remains committed to conducting the oversight necessary to identiy raud, develop cases against individuals
and companies engaged in criminal activity, earn returns or the taxpayer, and oer recommendations to improve the
eectiveness o the U.S. reconstruction eort.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SIGAR accomplishments this quarter included the
ollowing:
identifed up to $58.5 million in contractor reunds
not returned to the U.S. government
identifed $1.6 million in expired, unused unds thathave now been returned to the U.S. Treasury
supported the arrest o a U.S. military reserve of-
cer charged with soliciting more than $1 million in
bribes or reconstruction contracts
assisted Aghan authorities with the arrest o
Aghan citizens charged with soliciting and oering
bribes to win reconstruction contracts
COMPLETED AUDITSThe fve audits SIGAR issued this quarter identifed a
number o contract and program management issuesand made 21 recommendations to recover unds,
increase accountability, improve program management,
and achieve better interagency cooperation:
USAIDs Kabul Community Development Program
Largely Met the Agreements Terms, but Progress
Toward Long-Term Goals Needs To Be Better
Tracked
U.S. Agencies Have Provided Training and Support
to Aghanistans Major Crimes Task Force, but
Funding and Reimbursement Issues Need To Be
Addressed
Limited Interagency Coordination and InsufcientControls over U.S. Funds in Aghanistan Hamper
U.S. Eorts To Develop the Aghan Financial Sector
and Saeguard U.S. Cash
The World Bank and the Aghan Government
Have Established Mechanisms To Monitor and
Account or Funds Contributed to the Aghanistan
Reconstruction Trust Fund, but Some Limitations
and Challenges Should Be Addressed
Weaknesses in the USACE Deense Base Act
Insurance Program Led to as Much as $58.5 Million
in Reunds Not Returned to the U.S. Government
and Other Problems
SPECIAL REPORT TO CONGRESSThis quarter, SIGAR submitted to the Congress a report
on the oversight o contractors and plans or reducing
the reliance o the United States on private security con-
tractors (PSCs) in Aghanistan as required by Section
1219 o the National Deense Authorization Act or
FY 2011. The review ound that rom October 2008
through March 2011, the inspectors general o the
Department o Deense, the Department o State, and
the U.S. Agency or International Development; the U.S.
Government Accountability Ofce; and SIGAR issued65 reports that made 297 recommendations to improve
contracting. SIGAR also ound that although U.S.
implementing agencies continue to rely heavily on PSCs
to provide or site, convoy, and personnel security in
Aghanistan, these agencies are not systematically track-
ing deaths o Aghan civilians caused by PSCs.
NEW AUDITSThis quarter, SIGAR initiated our new audits:
USAIDs Contracts in Support o the Aghanistan
Stabilization Initiative
USAIDs Cooperative Agreement in Support o anAgriculture Program
Reliability o Funding and Contract Data Maintained
by the U.S. Central Command Joint Theater Support
Contracting Command (C-JTSCC) on Prime Vendors
or Major Reconstruction Contracts in Aghanistan
U.S. Army Corps o Engineers Operations and
Maintenance Contracts with ITT Corporation or
Aghan National Security Forces Facilities
SIGAR ACTIVITIES Q3, FY 2011This quarter, SIGAR completed fve audits that assessed reconstruction contracts and programs to
improve governance, development, and security in Aghanistan. SIGAR also submitted a mandated
review o contractor oversight to Congress and announced our new audits. SIGAR opened 29 new
investigations, bringing the number o ongoing cases to 89.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INVESTIGATIONSDuring this reporting period, SIGAR opened 29 cases
and supported investigations that resulted in the arrests
o fve people, including a U.S. military reserve of-
cer who pled guilty to soliciting more than $1 million
in bribes or reconstruction contracts and two U.S.
citizens charged with conspiracy to trafc in heroin.
SIGAR continues to support Aghan law enorcement
ofcials in their investigations o Aghan citizens alleged
to have been involved in raud and corruption relatedto reconstruction contracts. SIGAR views this work as
particularly important because o the large number o
contracts the United States is awarding to Aghan com-
panies. This quarter, SIGARs eorts contributed to the
arrest o two Aghan citizens.
U.S. Military Ofcer Pleads Guilty to BriberyIn June 2011, a U.S. military reserve ofcer pled guilty in
a ederal district court to bribery related to reconstruc-
tion contracts and conspiracy to distribute heroin. The
ofcer admitted to having received more than $400,000
in bribe money and expecting an additional $1 millionrom contractors in Aghanistan or having agreed to
inuence the award o reconstruction contracts valued
at approximately $23 million. This joint investigation,
which included partner agencies in the International
Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF), the Drug
Enorcement Administration, and the Department o
Homeland Security, also led to the arrest o two other
individuals or conspiracy to trafc in narcotics.
SIGAR Supports Investigations Leading to Arrestso Two AghansIn May 2011, a joint operation between members o the
AghanShaafyat (Transparency) Investigative Unit
(ASIU), the ICCTF, and SIGAR resulted in the arrest o
an Aghan citizen or soliciting a $150,000 bribe rom
a contractor who provides support or the U.S. Army
Corps o Engineers (USACE) at the Kabul International
Airport. This was the frst joint investigation between
U.S. law enorcement agencies and the ASIU that has
led to the arrest o an Aghan citizen.
In June 2011, a joint operation between SIGAR,
the ICCTF, the Aghan National Police Criminal
Investigative Division, and Aghan prosecutors culmi-
nated in the arrest o an Aghan contractor who had
oered $400,000 in bribes to a USACE contract special-
ist at Kandahar Air Field.
Suspension and Debarment ProgramThis quarter, SIGAR made 6 reerrals or suspension and
debarment o individuals and contractors, bringing the
total reerrals since 2009 to 32. SIGAR is conducting an
aggressive eort to improve contractor accountability
through its suspension and debarment program. SIGAR
views suspension and debarment as an important
adjunct to its investigative and audit responsibilities,
especially when non-U.S. nationals are concerned.
SIGAR is ocused on (1) identiying contractors alleged
to have been involved in raud or to have perormed
questionably on contracts, (2) making recommenda-
tions or suspension and debarment, and (3) developinga comprehensive training program or investigators and
auditors to acilitate the collection o evidence neces-
sary to support suspension and debarment actions.
SIGAR auditors meet with ofcials rom the Ministry o
Deense and CSTC-A in Kabul on May 19 to discuss the pro-
cess that the ANA uses to account or tens o thousands o
vehicles provided by the U.S. government. (SIGAR photo)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1SIGAR OVERSIGHT 3 Audits
19 Investigations
24 SIGAR Budget
25 SIGAR Sta
SECTION 2AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW29 Security Transition Begins
30 New Civilian and Military Leadership
31 FY 2012 National Deense Authorization Act (NDAA)32 Senate Report on U.S. Foreign Assistance to Aghanistan
34 Secretary o State Testifes Beore the Congress
34 Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearings on Reconstruction
Contracts
35 DoS Provides Certifcations Needed To Obligate
Reconstruction Funds
35 Looking Forward
SECTION 3RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE39 Overview
43 Status o Funds
55 Security
75 Governance
97 Economic and Social Development
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 4OTHER AGENCY OVERSIGHT113 Completed Oversight Activities
118 Ongoing Oversight Activities
131 Investigations
131 Inspections
APPENDICES & ENDNOTES134 Appendix A: Cross-Reerence o Report
to Statutory Requirements
138 Appendix B: U.S. Government Appropriated Funds
140 Appendix C: SIGAR Audits
142 Appendix D: SIGAR Investigations and Hotline
143 Appendix E: Abbreviations and Acronyms
146 Endnotes
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTIONviii
Conducting Oversight
SIGAR auditors visit ANA Headquarters in Kabul this quarter
to continue an audit. SIGAR is ocusing on the ability o
CSTC-A and the ANSF to account or and maintain the tens o
thousands o vehicles that the United States has provided.
(SIGAR photo)
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1SIGAROVERSIGHT
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION2
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
It is essential that we use all available
tools to ensure that U.S. dollars are
protected rom raud and diversion tothe insurgency. We must also ensure
that the Aghan government is a ull
partner in eorts to set a edgling
fnancial sector on sound ooting.
Herbert Richardson,Acting Special Inspector General
for Afghanistan Reconstruction
Source: SIGAR, news release, SIGAR Audit Reveals Risks to U.S. Aid Dollars, Development o Sound Aghan Financial Sector, 7/20/2011.
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 3
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
COMPLETED AUDITS
Audit 11-11: USAIDs Kabul CommunityDevelopment Program (Governance/
Economic Development)
Audit 11-12: Support to the MCTF (Ruleo Law/Corruption)
Audit 11-13: Developing the FinancialSector (Financial Sector)
Audit 11-14: Oversight o the ARTF (DirectAssistance/Multi-Donor Trust Fund)
Audit 11-15: DBA Insurance Program(Security/Contract)
Audit 11-1SP: Analyzing Recommenda-tions on Contracting (Special Report to
Congress under NDAA)
NEW AUDITS USAID Contracts in Support o
Aghanistan Stabilization Initiative
USAID Cooperative Agreement in Sup-port o an Agriculture Program
Reliability o Data on PrimeReconstruction Vendors
USACE O&M Contracts or ANSFFacilities
ONGOING AUDITS USAID Contracts or LGCD Projects Construction at Kabul Military Training
Center
Construction at the Aghan NationalSecurity University
Private Security Support Services (I) Private Security Support Services (II) Accountability o ANSF Vehicles Agriculture Sector Development U.S. Civilian Uplit Costs in Aghanistan USAID Financial Audit Coverage o
Incurred Costs
Implementation o the AghanFirst Initiative
FORENSIC AUDITS DoD Transaction Data Related to
Reconstruction
USAID Transaction Data Related toReconstruction
DoS Transaction Data Related toReconstruction
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
The U.S. Congress established SIGAR to provide independent and objective
oversight o U.S. unds appropriated or otherwise made available or the recon-
struction o Aghanistan. In accordance with its legislative mandate, SIGAR
conducts audits and investigations to provide recommendations on policiesto (1) promote economy, efciency, and eectiveness in the administration o
programs and operations using reconstruction unds, and (2) prevent and detect
waste, raud, and abuse in these programs and operations. SIGARs enabling
legislation also requires it to keep the Secretary o State and the Secretary o
Deense ully inormed about problems relating to the administration o recon-
struction programs and to submit a report on SIGARs oversight work and on the
status o the U.S. reconstruction eort to the U.S. Congress no later than 30 days
ater the end o each fscal quarter.
This section describes SIGARs activities since April 30, 2011. Sections 2 and 3
provide an update on U.S. programs to rebuild Aghanistan. SIGAR highlights this
quarter included the ollowing:
published fve audits and submitted one congressionally mandated report identifed up to $58.5 million in contractor reunds not returned to the U.S.
government
identifed $1.6 million in expired, unused unds that have now been returned
to the U.S. Treasury
announced our new audits
opened 29 investigations and closed 15
supported the arrest o a U.S. military reserve ofcer charged with soliciting
more than $1 million in bribes or reconstruction contracts
assisted Aghan authorities with the arrest o Aghan citizens charged with
soliciting and oering bribes to win reconstruction contracts
reerred six individuals and contractors or suspension and debarment
AUDITSDuring this reporting period, SIGAR issued fve audit reports that examined
reconstruction contracts and programs related to governance, anti-corruption,
development, and security. These audits identifed a number o contract and
program management issues and made 21 recommendations to recover unds,
increase accountability, improve program management, and achieve better inter-
agency cooperation. In addition, SIGAR completed and submitted to Congress a
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION4
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
review o contractor oversight mandated by the National Deense Authorization
Act or Fiscal Year 2011 (NDAA, P.L. 111-383). SIGAR also began work on 4 newaudits, bringing the total number o ongoing audits to 14. In addition, SIGAR is
conducting three orensic reviews o major reconstruction unds.
Completed Audit ReportsThe fve audits SIGAR published this quarter included assessments o a U.S.
Agency or International Development (USAID) cooperative agreement, inter-
agency eorts to strengthen Aghanistans fnancial sector and saeguard U.S.
cash owing through the Aghan economy, the capacity o the Aghan govern-
ment to monitor and account or international donor unds, U.S. assistance to
build the capabilities o Aghanistans Major Crimes Task Force, and the U.S.
Army Corps o Engineers (USACE) Deense Base Act Insurance Program.
Audit 11-11: Governance and Economic DevelopmentUSAIDs Kabul Community Development Program Largely Met the Agreements Terms, but
Progress Toward Long-Term Goals Needs To Be Better Tracked
In March 2009, USAID awarded a one-year, $25 million cooperative agreement
to CARE International, on a non-competitive basis, to establish the Community
Development Program-Kabul (CDP-K). The CDP-K provides cash-or-work
to 50,000 Aghan citizens in the Kabul area. In March 2010, USAID extended
the cooperative agreement or 18 months. Under this second phase, USAID
increased unding to a total o $60 million and expanded program goals to beneft
78,000 Aghans and und long-term projects to improve the living and working
conditions o target communities.
OBJECTIVES
SIGAR conducted this audit because job creation is an important element o the
U.S. reconstruction strategy in Aghanistan and because cash-or-work projects
involve inherent risks o raud, waste, and abuse. This audit had three objectives:
Evaluate the processes and procedures USAID ollowed to award this coop-
erative agreement.
Determine whether the program was being implemented within the cost,
schedule, and outcome terms o the agreement.
Assess the implementation o internal controls over cash disbursements.
FINDINGS
1. USAID ollowed established procedures in deciding to award a cooperative
agreement on a non-competitive basis to CARE International to implement
the CDP-K. USAID also provided additional oversight or the program to miti-
gate the risks o raud, waste, and abuse that are inherent in cash-or-work
projects. In addition, USAID adhered to the requirements to document the
award and expansion o the program.
COMPLETED AUDITS
Audit 11-11: USAIDs Kabul CommunityDevelopment Program Largely Met the
Agreements Terms, but Progress Toward
Long-Term Goals Needs To Be Better
Tracked
Audit 11-12: U.S. Agencies Have Provid-ed Training and Support to Aghanistans
Major Crimes Task Force, but Funding
and Reimbursement Issues Need To Be
Addressed
Audit 11-13: Limited Interagency Coordi-nation and Insufcient Controls over U.S.
Funds in Aghanistan Hamper U.S. Eorts
To Develop the Aghan Financial Sector
and Saeguard U.S. Cash
Audit 11-14: The World Bank and theAghan Government Have Established
Mechanisms To Monitor and Account or
Funds Contributed to the AghanistanReconstruction Trust Fund, but Some
Limitations and Challenges Should Be
Addressed
Audit 11-15: Weaknesses in the USACEDeense Base Act Insurance Program
Led to as Much as $58.5 Million in
Reunds Not Returned to the U.S. Gov-
ernment and Other Problems
Audit 11-1SP: Analysis o Recommenda-tions Concerning Contracting in Aghani-
stan, as Mandated by Section 1219
o the Fiscal Year 2011 NDAA (Special
Report to Congress)
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 5
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
2. CARE International largely complied with the terms under phase one o the
cooperative agreement and appears to be on track to meet the schedule,cost, and outcomes established or phase two. However, CARE International
ailed to complete certain required studies, such as the impact o the pro-
gram on local ood prices, which could have helped to guide program
implementation and measure the programs impact on the benefciaries.
Moreover, USAID ailed to ormally incorporate some program goals into
phase two o the agreement, such as developing projects with long-term
economic impact. Consequently, there has been no reporting on whether the
program is achieving longer-term goals.
3. CARE International has implemented numerous checks and balances to
prevent inappropriate cash disbursements. Nevertheless, A.F. Ferguson, an
independent company hired to monitor and evaluate CAREs internal con-
trols, ound that CARE needs to improve these controls to address limited
irregularities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To ensure that the CDP-Ks broader objectives are achieved and appropriate
oversight o unds is provided, SIGAR recommended that the USAID Mission
Director require that:
1. USAID and CARE International program sta document the specifc nature
and defnition o CDP-Ks expanded project goals or this and any potential
ollow-on awards.
2. CARE International address to what degree these goals were met when it
submits its close-out report to USAID later this year, along with any lessonslearned with regard to why, i applicable, certain long-term goals were not
met.
3. USAID and CARE determine to what degree, i any, CARE International
should reimburse USAID or the costs associated with required studies that
were not completed.
4. USAID and CARE reconcile remaining internal control issues identifed by
A.F. Ferguson as soon as possible.
AGENCY COMMENTS
USAID concurred with all our o SIGARs recommendations. USAID noted that
it would work with CARE International program sta to document the expanded
project goals under phase two o the cooperative agreement and ensure thatrelated lessons learned and recommendations or urther activities are included
in CAREs project close-out report. USAID stated that it will determine to what
degree, i any, CARE should reimburse USAID or the costs associated with
required studies that were not completed. USAID also said it will work closely
with CARE to review CAREs cash disbursement process and promptly rectiy
any remaining internal control issues.
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION6
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
Audit 11-12: Rule o Law/Corruption
U.S. Agencies Have Provided Training and Support to Aghanistans Major Crimes Task Force,but Funding and Reimbursement Issues Need To Be Addressed
In 2009, the Aghan government established the Major Crimes Task Force
(MCTF) as the principal agency responsible or investigating and processing
major cases o corruption, kidnapping, and organized crime cases. Because
corruption and organized crime undermine the legitimacy o the Aghan govern-
ment, pose signifcant obstacles to investment and economic growth, and uel
the insurgency, several U.S. government agencies are involved in providing sup-
port to strengthen the MCTF.
OBJECTIVES
SIGAR conducted this audit as part o its continuing eort to assess U.S. eorts
to build the capacity o Aghan institutions to detect and deter corruption. This
audit had two objectives:
Determine the nature and extent o U.S. assistance or the MCTF.
Evaluate whether U.S. assistance was provided in accordance with appli-
cable laws and regulations.
FINDINGS
1. The U.S. government provided at least $15.3 million to assist the MCTF
through FY 2010. These unds supported the training and mentoring o
MCTF investigators as well as the reurbishment and maintenance o MCTF
acilities. U.S. ofcials expect to provide an additional $24 million to assist
the MCTF in FY 2011. The Department o Deense (DoD) has provided themajority o U.S. assistance unding or the MCTF. DoD manages this assis-
tance through the Combined Security Transition Command - Aghanistan
(CSTC-A). The Department o States (DoS) Bureau o International
Narcotics and Law Enorcement Aairs (INL), the Federal Bureau o
Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enorcement Administration have also
provided assistance to the MCTF.
2. DoD, through interagency agreements, provides unding to the FBI and INL
to support the MCTF. In order to obligate DoD unds, the FBI and INL signed
memoranda o understanding with the Deense Security Cooperation Agency
(DSCA). SIGAR identifed three accountability issues related to U.S. support
or the MCTF. First, the DSCA and the FBI had not de-obligated $1.6 million
in unused unds that expired as o September 2010. During the audit, theagencies returned the $1.6 million to the U.S. Treasury. Second, INL has not
provided the required quarterly fnancial reporting on its use o DoD unds,
including $6.2 million in MCTF unds or operations and maintenance. Third,
CSTC-A and INL do not yet have a system to charge and collect reimburse-
ments rom international partners receiving services at MCTF acilities.
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 7
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
RECOMMENDATIONS
SIGAR made two recommendations to improve accountability and ensure thatthe U.S. government is appropriately reimbursed or some o its costs relating to
support o the MCTF.
To improve accountability over U.S. assistance to the MCTF, SIGAR recom-
mended that the Assistant Secretary o State or International Narcotics and Law
Enorcement Aairs take the ollowing action:
1. Provide an accounting o the $6.2 million already transerred to INL to
cover operations and maintenance costs or the MCTF Camp Falcon acil-
ity, as required by the memorandum o agreement between the Ofce o the
Secretary o Deense and INL.
To ensure that the U.S. government is reimbursed, as appropriate, or some
o the costs o assistance to the MCTF, SIGAR recommended that the AssistantSecretary o State or International Narcotics and Law Enorcement Aairs, in
consultation with the Commanding General o CSTC-A, take the ollowing action:
2. Develop and implement a system to bill, collect, and appropriately use such
unds received rom non-U.S. international personnel receiving services at
the MCTF Camp Falcon acilities.
AGENCY COMMENTS
A drat o this report included a recommendation that the FBI de-obligate its
unused MCTF unds. Because the FBI subsequently did so, SIGAR deleted the
recommendation. In their comments, the U.S. Embassy and INL said that INL
had implemented the frst recommendation by submitting an accounting o the
expenditures covering operations and maintenance costs. However, in reviewingthe documentation, SIGAR determined that INL did not present inormation on
the goods and services provided with the $6.2 million or indicate how the unds
were allocated, as required by the memorandum o agreement. The U.S. Embassy
and INLs comments also supported the second recommendation, indicating
that CSTC-A and INL had taken some actions to address it. In addition, CSTC-A
concurred with this recommendation and indicated that DoS has taken over ull
responsibility or Camp Falcon operations and maintenance.
Audit 11-13: Financial SectorLimited Interagency Coordination and Insufcient Controls over U.S. Funds in Aghanistan
Hamper U.S. Eorts To Develop the Aghan Financial Sector and Saeguard U.S. Cash
Since 2002, Congress has appropriated more than $70 billion to rebuild
Aghanistans security, governance, and economic sectors. Some o these unds
have been converted to cash and ow through the Aghan economy. To ensure
that the Aghan fnancial sector can absorb these unds and to develop the
Aghan governments capacity to sustain a viable market economy, U.S. agencies
have implemented programs to (1) increase the capacity o Aghanistans cen-
tral bankDa Aghanistan Bank (DAB)to regulate fnancial institutions in the
country and (2) strengthen U.S. and Aghan law enorcement monitoring o and
controls over the ow o U.S. aid through the Aghan economy.
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OBJECTIVES
The near collapse o Kabul Bank in September 2010 caused continued uncer-
tainty about the health o Aghanistans remaining banks. Questions about
the export o large amounts o cash through the Kabul International Airport
prompted SIGAR to conduct an audit o the U.S. eort to develop the fnancial
sector and account or U.S. unds owing through the Aghan economy. The
audit had two objectives:
Evaluate U.S. eorts to improve the capacity o the Aghan government to
regulate the fnancial sector, which includes DAB, 17 commercial banks, and
hawalas (inormal fnancial organizations).
Assess the controls that U.S. agencies use to track U.S. unds as they ow
through the Aghan economy.
FINDINGS
Although U.S. assistance has helped the Aghan government improve its ability to
regulate its fnancial sector, two challenges limit the eectiveness o the U.S. eort:
U.S. agencies have not ully coordinated the implementation o their fnancial
sector development programs.
Aghan ministries have not cooperated consistently with the United States,
thereby delaying U.S. programs or preventing them rom succeeding.
Although U.S. agencies have taken steps to strengthen their oversight o U.S.
unds owing through the Aghan economy, the U.S. government still has limited
visibility over where this money goes, leaving these unds vulnerable to raud or
diversion to insurgents.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SIGAR made our recommendations to improve interagency coordination on
fnancial sector development programs and to strengthen oversight over the ow
o U.S. unds through the Aghan economy.
To help leverage available resources and expertise and avoid duplication
o agency eorts on fnancial sector issues, SIGAR recommended that the
U.S. Ambassador to Aghanistan instruct the members o the Financial Sector
Working Group to:
1. Develop an interagency strategy to coordinate eorts to work with Aghan
banks to increase their electronic unds transer (EFT) internal processes,
and transaction accountability capabilities.
To strengthen oversight over the ow o U.S. unds through the Aghan
economy and to support overall U.S. reconstruction goals in Aghanistan, SIGAR
recommended that the Secretary o State and the Secretary o Deense instruct
their contracting and fnancial authorities to:
2. Institute steps to record the serial numbers o cash disbursed to contrac-
tors and provide these data to U.S. law enorcement ofcials (including the
Aghan Threat Finance Cell), as well as FinTRACA or another appropriate
Aghan source.
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3. Develop a plan to ensure that Aghan banks that provide payments to recipi-
ents o U.S. EFT payments record the serial numbers o cash paid to theserecipients by using bulk currency counters and that these data are reported
to U.S. law enorcement ofcials (including the Aghan Threat Finance
Cell), as well as FinTRACA or another appropriate Aghan source.
4. Insert a standard clause into U.S. contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements
with entities operating in Aghanistan requiring that these contractors pay
their subcontractors through either an EFT-capable bank or a licensed hawala,
where possible. Alternatively, i a determination is made that such a clause
would not be easible under existing regulations, submit a ormal proposal to
Congress with legislative language allowing the inclusion o such a clause.
AGENCY COMMENTS
A drat o this report included a recommendation that the U.S. Ambassador to
Aghanistan instruct members o the Embassys Financial Sector Working Group
to include the Department o Homeland Security (DHS) in their planning meetings
and ensure that all U.S. agencies that support the development o the fnancial
sector be included in Financial Sector Working Group discussions. Because DHS
was subsequently added to the group, SIGAR deleted the recommendation. In its
response to the drat report, the U.S. Embassy Kabul generally agreed with the
recommendations, but cited some difculties implementing them. For example, in
response to SIGARs recommendation that U.S. agencies develop an interagency
strategy to coordinate eorts to work with Aghan banks to increase their EFT
internal processes and transaction accountability capabilities, the Embassy noted
that accomplishing this task will require consensus among and action by Aghanministries, the U.S. government, and other donors implementing reconstruction
and development projects in Aghanistan. The Embassy concurred with the last
recommendation, stating that it will add a clause to its contracts requiring imple-
menting partners to make payments only through EFTs or licensed hawalas. DoD
chose not to comment.
Audit 11-14: Direct Assistance/Multi-Donor Trust FundThe World Bank and the Aghan Government Have Established Mechanisms To Monitor and
Account or Funds Contributed to the Aghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, but Some
Limitations and Challenges Should Be Addressed
In 2010, the United States and other donors pledged to provide 50% o their
development assistance through the Aghan national budget within two years.The Aghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which is administered by the
World Bank, is the principal vehicle through which donors are currently providing
direct assistance to the Aghan government. Since 2002, 32 international donors
have contributed nearly $4.3 billion to the ARTF, which supports the Aghan
governments non-security operating costs and development projects. The United
States, the largest single contributor, has provided $972 million to the und.
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OBJECTIVES
SIGAR conducted this audit because the United States has invested nearly
$1 billion in the ARTF over the last nine years. In addition, the current empha-
sis on direct assistance makes it important to understand how the World Bank
monitors and accounts or ARTF unds, and to know whether the Aghan govern-
ment can account or unds it receives through the ARTF. The audit had two
objectives:
Assess the extent to which the World Bank and the Aghan government have
established and implemented mechanisms to independently monitor and
account or donor contributions to the ARTF.
Assess the extent to which the Aghan government has developed the capac-
ity to monitor and account or ARTF unds.
FINDINGS
1. The World Bank and the Aghan government have established three means to
independently monitor and account or ARTF unds; however, these mecha-
nisms have some limitations. The oversight instruments consist o the World
Banks standard procedures or overseeing World Bankunded projects, an
independent monitoring agent to track the Aghan governments non-security-
related operating expenses fnanced by the ARTF under the Recurrent Cost
Window, and mandatory audits by the Aghan Control and Audit Ofce.
Oversight is not as robust as it could be because monitoring o non-security
operating costs is limited to fnancial reviews and audits. Moreover, limited
independent validation o ARTF spending is conducted outside o Kabul, and
the World Bank does not disseminate reports on the results and outcomes oARTF-unded development projects to all ARTF donors.
2. The Aghan ministries have generally increased their ability to manage and
account or government fnances, including ARTF unds. Nevertheless, the
Aghan government aces challenges developing and maintaining the civil
service expertise needed to manage and account or ARTF unds. As a result
o the capacity constraints, the Aghan government continues to rely on
Aghan contractors and international frms, which are paid using a portion o
ARTF unds.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SIGAR made three recommendations to improve oversight o ARTF unds and
ensure that ministries build the capacity to account or unding.To strengthen and enhance oversight o ARTF unds, SIGAR recommended
that the U.S. Ambassador to Aghanistan, in coordination with other ARTF
donors, urge the World Bank to:
1. Include explicit language in the new Recurrent Cost Window monitoring
agents contract and terms o reerence to require the agent to make neces-
sary arrangements to conduct site visits in both Kabul and the provinces, on
a sample basis, to veriy the eligibility o the Aghan governments operating
expenditures.
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2. Enhance reporting to all donors on development project results and out-
comes by regularly including this inormation in its quarterly reports todonors or by systematically distributing supervision mission reports to all
ARTF donors.
To ensure that Aghan ministries urther develop and sustain the sta exper-
tise needed to manage and account or development unding, including ARTF
unds, SIGAR recommended that the U.S. Ambassador to Aghanistan, in coordi-
nation with the World Bank and other donors:
3. Assist the Aghan government with capacity-building eorts, such as
developing plans to completely transition to Aghan civil service sta and
completing pay and grade reorm, which would enhance the Aghan govern-
ments ability to attract and retain qualifed sta.
AGENCY COMMENTS
The U.S. Embassy Kabul noted steps that the World Bank is taking to respond to
the frst two recommendations and described several ongoing eorts to address
the third recommendation to enhance the Aghan governments capacity to man-
age and account or development unding.
In its response, the World Bank discussed steps it is taking to respond to the
three recommendations. For example, the World Bank indicated that it plans to
ensure that explicit language is included in the new Recurrent Cost Window moni-
toring agents contract and terms o reerence to require provincial site visits.
Audit 11-15: Security/Contract Audit
Weaknesses in the USACE Deense Base Act Insurance Program Led to as Much as
$58.5 Million in Reunds Not Returned to the U.S. Government and Other Problems
The U.S. Deense Base Act (DBA) requires ederal government prime contrac-
tors and subcontractors to provide workers compensation insurance or their
employees who work overseas. Congress enacted the DBA to ensure that
individuals working abroad or the U.S. government would have workers com-
pensation insurance, i they are injured or killed on the job. Since 2008, the U.S.
Army Corps o Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Central Command Joint Theater
Supporting Contract Command (C-JTSCC) have contracted with Continental
Insurance Company (CNA) to serve as their only DBA provider. Since then, CNA
has collected about $225 million in premiums.
OBJECTIVES
Because contractors are reimbursed or their DBA costs, the program makes it
easier or smaller contractors to aord the costs associated with ederal con-
tracting. DBA insurance is particularly important in Aghanistan, because o the
hostile working environment and the limited size and resources o many subcon-
tractors, particularly Aghan companies. This audit had three objectives:
Determine the extent to which DBA premium rates were set at appropriate
levels.
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Assess USACEs and the C-JTSCCs internal controls or ensuring that prime
contractors and subcontractors obtain insurance in compliance with the DBA. Evaluate the process or billing and reimbursing contractors or DBA costs.
FINDINGS
1. SIGAR ound that USACE agreed to higher premium rates than stipulated
under the terms o the contract and did not exercise strong oversight o
CNAs perormance under the contract. For example, it did not hold CNA
responsible or ulflling all o the reporting requirements in the contract.
SIGAR determined that such oversight was needed because CNAs data were
not always complete, accurate, or current. For example, CNA reported cases
as losses, even ater it had been inormed that it would be reimbursed by the
Department o Labor or cases under the War Hazards Compensation Act
(WHCA).
2. The internal controls employed by USACE and C-JTSCC ailed to ensure that
prime contractors and subcontractors purchased and maintained the correct
amount o insurance.
3. SIGAR identifed problems with CNAs current process or billing and reim-
bursing contractors or DBA costs. First, CNA commingles unds rom
multiple sources, which violates U.S. unding restrictions, including the
Purpose Statute and, possibly, the Anti-Defciency Act. Second, USACE and
the C-JTSCC contracting ofcers have limited visibility over DBA costs. As a
result, some contractors have purchased less insurance than they agreed to
under the terms o their contracts. In addition, SIGAR determined that CNA
has given $58.5 million in reunds to contractors or DBA insurance since2005, at least some o which is due back to the U.S. government.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SIGAR made eight recommendationsour to the Acting Commanding General
o USACE to strengthen the DBA insurance contract and our to the Acting
Commanding General o USACE and the Commander o the C-JTSCC to
strengthen the DBA insurance program and take steps to recover any reunds
that may be due to the U.S. government. SIGAR recommended that the Acting
Commanding General o USACE:
1. Modiy the current contract with CNA to require that an invoice be provided
or each contract showing the fnal amount paid or DBA insurance or
that contract. This action should address the problem associated with thePurpose Statute violation SIGAR identifed.
2. Determine whether the Purpose Statute violation that SIGAR identifed also
constitutes an Anti-Defciency Act violation and, i so, ollow the report-
ing requirements set orth in the Act and in guidance rom the Ofce o
Management and Budget.
3. Modiy the current contract with CNA to clariy and make explicit the
requirement that incurred losses exclude claims identifed or reimbursement
under the WHCA. Specifcally, the contract should stipulate who identifes
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the claims or reimbursement, when they are to be removed rom the loss
report, how much time CNA has to remove them, and how cases with claim-ants outside the United States should be handled.
4. Modiy the current contract with CNA to require an independent actuary
review o reserve adequacy particular to the claims covered under the con-
tract with USACE and to submit the review to USACE on an annual basis.
To strengthen the DBA insurance program and take steps to recover any
reunds that may be due to the U.S. government, SIGAR recommended that the
Acting Commanding General, USACE, and the Commander, C-JTSCC:
5. Issue guidance to contracting ofcers to strengthen their oversight o DBA
insurance. This guidance should remind contracting ofcers o the impor-
tance o adjusting the DBA CLIN when contract modifcations signifcantly
aect the amount o labor needed to perorm the contract. The guidanceshould also require contracting ofcers to receive the fnal invoice rom the
insurance carrier or each contract beore reimbursing the contractor.
6. Take steps to remind subcontractors o the requirement to and importance
o purchasing DBA insurance. These steps could include issuing a memo on
DBA insurance policies and procedures to prime contractors, to be shared
with all subcontractors.
7. Determine how much o the $58.5 million in reunded money is recoverable
by USACE and the C-JTSCC.
8. Take immediate action to recover the unds that USACE and the C-JTSCC
determined to be recoverable.
AGENCY COMMENTSIn commenting on a drat o the report, USACE and the C-JTSCC concurred with
SIGARs recommendations and noted measures that they will take to implement
them.
Audit 11-1SP: Special Report to CongressAnalysis o Recommendations Concerning Contracting in Aghanistan, as Mandated by
Section 1219 o the Fiscal Year 2011 NDAA
This quarter, SIGAR submitted to Congress a report on the oversight o contrac-
tors and plans or reducing the reliance o the United States on private security
contractors (PSCs) in Aghanistan, as required by Section 1219 o the National
Deense Authorization Act (NDAA) or FY 2011. In accordance with discussions
with congressional sta, SIGAR agreed to (1) analyze the recommendations
made to DoD, DoS, and USAID regarding contracting in Aghanistan rom FY 2008
through March 2011, and (2) assess the current situation regarding the use o
PSCs in Aghanistan, including the extent to which PSCs have been responsible
or Aghan civilian deaths.
From October 2008 through March 2011, the inspectors general o DoD, DoS,
and USAID; the U.S. Government Accountability Ofce (GAO); and SIGAR issued
65 reports with 297 recommendations to improve contracting in Aghanistan.
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SIGARs analysis identifed 14 contracting themes. O the 297 recommendations,
177 (about 60%) ell into fve broad categories: issues related to non-compliance, questioned costs, and the need or urther
audit work
contract oversight
post-award contract actions
quality and quantity o the U.S. government workorce
project schedule and perormance metrics
U.S. implementing agencies continue to rely heavily on PSCs to provide or
site, convoy, and personnel security in Aghanistan. Concerns about PSCs recently
culminated in the Aghan government developing a strategy to transer many
o the security unctions to a newly ormed state-run body, the Aghan Public
Protection Force (APPF). The strategy, which went into eect on March 22, 2011,is designed to allow PSCs to continue providing security services to contrac-
tors implementing reconstruction projects or one year and to the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) or two years as the APPF develops the capac-
ity to assume responsibility or these services.
SIGAR ound that data on Aghan deaths caused by PSCs has not been system-
atically tracked and may not be complete. For example, although USAID tracks
the deaths o implementing partner personnel and their security details, it does
not report on civilian deaths caused by PSCs. Ofcials o U.S. Forces - Aghanistan
(USFOR-A) have not reported any Aghan civilians killed by DoD-contracted
PSCs since August 2009. DoS reported our Aghan civilian deaths as a result o
trafc accidents involving PSCs.
Status o SIGAR RecommendationsIn the frst six months o 2011, SIGAR made 64 recommendations to improve
contract oversight and promote economy, efciency, and eectiveness in the
administration o programs and operations using reconstruction unds. This
nearly doubles the number o recommendations made since SIGAR was estab-
lished in 2008. O the 136 recommendations SIGAR has made, U.S. government
agencies have already implemented 54.
New Audits Announced This QuarterDuring this reporting period SIGAR initiated our new auditsone o a USAID
development contract, one o a USAID cooperative agreement, one to examinethe reliability o unding and contract data maintained by the C-JTSCC, and one
o the USACE contract or the operations and maintenance o Aghan National
Security Forces (ANSF) acilities.
USAIDs Contracts in Support o the AghanistanStabilization InitiativeIn July 2009, USAIDs Ofce o Transition Initiatives awarded two three-year
contracts, with a combined value o more than $300 million to support the U.S.
NEW AUDITS
USAIDs Contracts in Support o theAghanistan Stabilization Initiative
USAIDs Cooperative Agreement inSupport o an Agriculture Program
Reliability o Funding and Contract Data
Maintained by the U.S. Central Com-mand Joint Theater Support Contracting
Command (C-JTSCC) on Prime Vendors
or Major Reconstruction Contracts in
Aghanistan
U.S Army Corps o Engineers Operationsand Maintenance Contracts with ITT
Corporation or Aghan National Security
Forces Facilities
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governments Aghanistan Stabilization Initiative (ASI) in the southern and
eastern regions o Aghanistan. In close cooperation with ISAF, the ASI seeksto improve the economic and social environment in Aghanistan though small
community-enhancement projects.
USAIDs Cooperative Agreement in Support o anAgriculture ProgramIn September 2008, USAID entered into a cooperative agreement with International
Relie and Development to support the Aghanistan Vouchers or Increased
Production in Agriculture (AVIPA) Plus program. USAID extended this program
until June 2011, or a total cost o $450 million. Key components include seed
and ertilizer distribution, cash-or-work projects to stimulate local economies,
small grant programs to provide arming equipment, and training and capacity-
development programs.
Reliability o Funding and Contract Data Maintained by the U.S.Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command(C-JTSCC) on Prime Vendors or Major Reconstruction Contractsin AghanistanThis audit will ollow up on the SIGAR audit, DoD, State, and USAID Obligated
Over $17.7 Billion to About 7,000 Contractors and Other Entities or Aghan
Reconstruction During Fiscal Years 20072009, which identifed the contractors
and implementing partners associated with reconstruction work in Aghanistan.
In comments on the report, the C-JTSCC stated that it was undertaking several
initiatives to improve the quality o contract data that it maintains and reduce thenumber o data errors. Subsequently, SIGAR received additional inormation call-
ing into question the reliability o the C-JTSCCs data. Specifcally, the C-JTSCC
may have reported obligations that diered signifcantly rom total contract
values. In June, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Aairs, Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight cited specifc concerns about
the accuracy and reliability o the C-JTSCC data provided to SIGAR. This audit
will determine the cause o the discrepancies, the measures that the C-JTSCC
has taken to address the discrepancies, and the additional steps, i any, that the
C-JTSCC needs to take to ensure the accuracy and reliability o its contract data.
U.S. Army Corps o Engineers Operations and Maintenance
Contracts with ITT Corporation or Aghan National SecurityForces FacilitiesIn July 2010, USACE awarded two frm-fxed-price contracts, valued at a total o
$800 million, to ITT Systems Corporation to provide operations and maintenance
or ANSF acilities. These contracts cover Aghan army and police acilities in
northern and southern Aghanistan. The contracts consist o one base year plus
our optional years. According to the program manager, these contracts may
cover more than 660 sites. These contracts also require that the contractor train
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Aghan workers in all aspects o operations and maintenance. Currently, the DoD
Ofce o Inspector General is conducting a separate audit on the training aspecto the contracts.
Ongoing Audits: ContractSIGAR has fve ongoing audits o contracts. They address contracts to improve
governance in Aghanistan, build inrastructure or the Aghan National Security
Forces (ANSF), and provide security or the U.S.-unded reconstruction eort.
USAID Contracts or Local Governance and CommunityDevelopment ProjectsSIGAR is examining the perormance, costs, and outcomes o USAIDs contracts
in support o its Local Governance and Community Development projects.
Construction at the Kabul Military Training CenterSIGAR is assessing construction contracts or the Kabul Military Training Center
inrastructure projects. From FY 2007 through FY 2010, the Air Force Center or
Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) obligated approximately $161 million
or fve task orders under three indefnite-delivery/indefnite-quantity contracts at
the Center. Under these contracts, AFCEE awarded a combination o cost-plus-
fxed-ee, frm-fxed-price, and time-and-materials task orders. Work required
under these task orders included planning, construction, and oversight unctions
with dierent completion dates.
Construction at the Aghan National Security UniversitySIGAR is assessing construction contracts or the Aghan National Security
University (ormerly called the Aghan Deense University). AFCEE awarded a
cost-plus-fxed-ee task order under an indefnite-delivery/indefnite-quantity con-
tract or construction at the Aghan National Security University in the Qaragh
area o Kabul. At the time o the award, the task order was valued at approxi-
mately $70 million, and the project was to be completed in June 2010. Since then,
AFCEE has issued fve modifcations to the task order, adding and removing
requirements, increasing the amount obligated to about $83 million, and extend-
ing the completion date through June 2011.
Private Security Support Services (I)SIGAR is examining whether USACE received the services it needed within the
terms o the contract and any modifcations rom its private security contractor.
Private Security Support Services (II)SIGAR is conducting an audit o a private security contractor that provided
services or one o USAIDs largest contractors. This audit is ocused on cost,
schedule, and outcomes o the subcontract, as well as on contract oversight.
ONGOING AUDITS
Contract
USAID Contracts or Local Governanceand Community Development Projects
Construction at the Kabul MilitaryTraining Center
Construction at the Aghan NationalSecurity University
Private Security Support Services (I)
Private Security Support Services (II)
Reconstruction Programs and Operations
Accountability o ANSF Vehicles
U.S. Assistance To DevelopAghanistans Capacity in the Agricul-
ture Sector
Costs and Sustainability o the U.S.Civilian Uplit in Aghanistan
USAIDs Financial Audit Coverageo Costs Incurred Under Contracts,
Cooperative Agreements, and Grants or
Aghanistan Reconstruction
Implementation o the Aghan FirstInitiative or Contracting
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Ongoing Audits: Programs and OperationsSIGAR has fve ongoing audits o programs and operations that are critical to the
U.S. eort to build the ANSF, improve governance, and lay the oundation or
economic growth in Aghanistan.
Accountability o ANSF VehiclesThe United States has provided tens o thousands o vehicles to the ANSF and
plans to provide thousands more through at least 2012. Most o these vehicles
have been purchased through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is
administered by the DSCA. This audit, which is ocused on vehicles, will provide
insight into the overall ability o CSTC-A and the ANSF to account or and ensure
the maintenance o vehicles.
U.S. Assistance To Develop Aghanistans Capacity in theAgriculture SectorThe United States has invested $1.4 billion to develop Aghanistans agriculture
sector. To better ensure the long-term sustainability o U.S.-unded projects, U.S.
agencies have provided more than $100 million or capacity-building activities,
including increasing the capabilities o the Ministry o Agriculture, Irrigation, and
Livestock to better serve armers and promote private-sector development. This
audit has been rescoped to assess capacity-building eorts in the agriculture sector.
Costs and Sustainability o the U.S. Civilian Uplit in AghanistanThe U.S. strategy in Aghanistan relies, in part, on the U.S. governments ability
to deploy and sustain a civilian eort to build governance and support economicdevelopment across the country. DoS has authorized 1,223 civilians as o May 31,
2011. Conducted jointly with the DoS Ofce o Inspector General, this audit is a
ollow-on audit o the costs o implementing the civilian uplit, as well as sustain-
ing and supporting the civilian presence in Aghanistan.
USAIDs Financial Audit Coverage o Costs Incurred UnderContracts, Cooperative Agreements, and Grants orAghanistan ReconstructionAccording to USAIDs Ofce o Inspector General, USAIDs obligations or recon-
struction in Aghanistan totaled approximately $11.7 billion or FY 20022010.
USAID provided most o these unds to contractors and non-proft organiza-
tions through contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. Financial audits
o costs incurred under these fnancial mechanisms provide valuable oversight
o appropriated unds by determining the appropriateness o direct and indirect
costs, as well as identiying weaknesses in internal controls and compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. This audit will assess USAIDs eorts to conduct
required fnancial audits o its awards.
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Implementation o the Aghan First Initiative or ContractingU.S. Forces - Aghanistan (USFOR-A) and the U.S. Embassy Kabul have adopted
an Aghan First approach to contracting to promote economic growth, capacity
development, and related counter-insurgency objectives by encouraging the use
o Aghan frms to meet U.S. requirements or supplies and services. This audit is
assessing the Aghan First Initiative.
Forensic AuditsPublic Law 110-181, as amended, requires that beore SIGAR is terminated, it
must prepare and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a fnal
orensic audit report on programs and operations unded with amounts appro-
priated or otherwise made available or the reconstruction o Aghanistan.
SIGAR is conducting orensic reviews o three major reconstruction undsthe Aghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF), which is managed by DoD;
the Economic Support Fund (ESF), which is managed by USAID; and the
International Narcotics Control and Law Enorcement (INCLE) account, which
is managed by DoSto identiy waste, raud, and abuse o taxpayer dollars.
Forensic Review o DoD Transaction Data Related toAghanistan ReconstructionIn March 2010, SIGAR initiated a review o DoD appropriation, obligation,
and expenditure transaction data related to the ASFF. Congress has appropri-
ated nearly $39.5 billionto the ASFF since the und was created in FY 2005.
Approximately $12.9 billion had been disbursed as o FY 2010.
Obtaining data to perorm testing has been a challenge because once DoDobligates ASFF unds, it transers a signifcant amount o these unds immedi-
ately to an FMS trust-und account to await disbursement.
As o June 28, 2011, the Deense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) had
provided SIGAR with fles covering approximately $5.8 billion in disbursements
processed through the FMS account. These fles allow only a limited orensic
review because they do not include a number o data felds. SIGAR is currently
trying to get inormation on the remaining data sets. Meanwhile, SIGARs oren-
sic team is scrubbing the available data sets to isolate unique vendor IDs and
create a master vendor list that will identiy vendors across all agencies. SIGAR
will use this list to perorm cross-agency orensic testing.
SIGAR has conducted a orensic review o $1.7 billion o direct ASFF-related
disbursements (non-FMS) rom USACE or FY 2005 through 2009. Tests were
perormed to isolate anomalies, such as duplicate payments and vendors on the
excluded party lists. SIGAR is awaiting direct access to the Corps o Engineers
Financial Management System (CEFMS) voucher database in order to review
these exceptions and source documentation.
FORENSIC AUDITS
Forensic Review o DoD TransactionData Related to Aghanistan
Reconstruction
Forensic Review o USAID TransactionData Related to Aghanistan
Reconstruction
Forensic Review o DoS TransactionData Related to Aghanistan
Reconstruction
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 19
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
Forensic Review o USAID Transaction Data Related to
Aghanistan ReconstructionSIGAR has asked USAID or additional source documentation or exceptions
identifed during its initial review o more than 73,000 transactions amounting to
$7.4 billion in disbursements, rom 2002 through July 2010. Much o this docu-
mentation is housed in the feld, which accounts or the delay. SIGAR has also
obtained updated transaction data through March 2011. This data is being recon-
ciled with additional data eeds to veriy its accuracy and completeness. When
that task is complete, the orensic team will perorm another round o testing.
SIGAR is obtaining data updates on a quarterly basis and will perorm continu-
ous monitoring o USAID transactions.
Forensic Review o DoS Transaction Data Related toAghanistan ReconstructionIn June 2010, SIGAR launched its orensic review o transaction data related to
the INCLE account, which has been unded with $2.86 billion through March 31,
2011. On July 19, 2011, SIGAR received initial data sets totaling $2.4 billion in
disbursements rom FY 2002 through June 2011. SIGAR is reviewing and cleans-
ing the data and is initiating orensic analysis on the transactional detail.
INVESTIGATIONSDuring this reporting period, SIGAR opened 29 new cases and supported investi-
gations that resulted in the arrest o fve people, including a U.S. military reserve
ofcer who pled guilty to soliciting more than $1 million in bribes or reconstruc-
tion contracts and two U.S. citizens or conspiracy to possess and distributeheroin. SIGARs continued eort to assist Aghan law enorcement bodies con-
tributed to the arrest o two Aghan citizens. SIGAR also expanded its suspension
and debarment program, which seeks to make all contractorsU.S., Aghan, and
third-country nationalsmore accountable. Through this program, SIGAR aims
to prevent contractors who have been engaged in raud or perormed poorly
rom being awarded subsequent reconstruction contracts. This quarter, SIGAR
made six reerrals or suspension and debarments.
Ongoing CasesThis quarter, SIGAR opened 29 investigations and closed 15, bringing the total
number o ongoing cases to 89. Most o the new cases involve procurementraud and corruption, which are SIGARs top investigative priorities. O the new
cases, 14 are investigations o procurement raud, and 10 are o allegations o
corruption and bribery. The other fve cases concern thet o government prop-
erty, suspension and debarment matters and civil investigations. Figure 1.1 on
the ollowing page provides a breakdown o SIGARs ongoing cases by category.
This quarter, SIGAR closed 15 cases. Four resulted in legal action, either
through suspension and debarment, a pending arrest, or a pending equitable
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION20
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
adjustment with the government. Six cases were ound to be unsubstantiated,
and fve cases were closed or lack o prosecutorial merit.
U.S. Military Reserve Ofcer Pleads Guilty to Bribery;Two Additional ArrestsIn June 2011, a U.S. military reserve ofcer pled guilty in ederal district court to
bribery related to reconstruction contracts and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
The ofcer, whose identity SIGAR is withholding to protect ongoing investiga-
tions, admitted to having received more than $400,000 in bribe money and being
owed an additional $1 million by contractors in Aghanistan or having pledged toinuence the award o reconstruction contracts valued at approximately
$23 million. The joint investigation was initiated by SIGAR and included mem-
bers o the International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF), the Drug
Enorcement Administration (DEA), and the Department o Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enorcement (DHS-ICE). The investigation led to the
DEAs arrest o two other individuals on heroin-related charges and conspiracy to
trafc in narcotics, six days beore the ofcer pled guilty.
Federal authorities arrested the reserve ofcer in April 2011 in Virginia, as
he/she attempted to take possession o a $500,000 cash payment that the ofcer
believed to be part o the outstanding bribe money. In addition to bribery, ed-
eral authorities charged the ofcer with possession o heroin and conspiracy to
distribute it.
This investigation began in April 2010, when SIGAR received inormation that
a U.S. military reserve ofcer had received bribes in exchange or inuencing
the award o reconstruction contracts in 2008 and 2009. SIGAR also learned that
the reserve ofcer, who had already let Aghanistan, believed that he/she was
still owed a large sum o bribe money rom contractors. In collaboration with
other ICCTF members, SIGAR opened a criminal investigation and developed a
plan to engage the ofcer in a discussion about the outstanding bribes. During
2
4
10 20
52
Total: 89
Source: SIGAR Investigations Directorate, 7/1/2011.
1
SIGAR INVESTIGATIONS: ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS, AS OF JUNE 30, 2011
0 30 40 50
Procurement/Contract Fraud
Public Corruption/Bribery
Civil
Miscellaneous
Thet
Assessments
2
28
FIGURE 1.1
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 21
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
the summer and all o 2010, SIGAR established an e-mail relationship with the
reserve ofcer, who wrote that he/she was still due money or steering contracts
to certain contractors.
SIGAR agents, in concert with ICCTF member agencies, orchestrated several
meetings with the reserve ofcer during the latter hal o 2010 and early monthso 2011. During these meetings, which were electronically monitored, the reserve
ofcer explained how he/she had inuenced the contracting process, identifed
specifc contractors and the contracts involved, and provided detailed inorma-
tion on the bribes that he/she had received and the amounts that were still owed.
In addition, the ofcer described how he/she transerred portions o the bribe
money rom Aghanistan to the United States. The reserve ofcer discussed hav-
ing an Aghan warlord help collect the outstanding bribe money that was owed
by Aghan contractors.
During the meetings with undercover ederal agents, the reserve ofcer
expressed a desire to become involved in smuggling heroin rom Southwest Asia
to the United States. At this point, SIGAR invited the DEA to join the investiga-
tion. Subsequently, the reserve ofcer introduced a SIGAR cooperating source to
heroin dealers who were interested in purchasing Southwest Asian heroin. The
DEA had prior knowledge o these individuals.
SIGAR Assists Aghan Authorities with Investigation and ArrestIn June 2011, a joint operation between members o the AghanShaafyat
(Transparency) Investigative Unit (ASIU), the ICCTF, and SIGAR resulted in
the arrest o an Aghan citizen who had demanded a $150,000 bribe rom a
A team o investigators in Kandahar prepares to arrest an Aghan contractor on bribery
charges in June. The arrests ollowed a joint investigation by SIGAR, other members o the
ICCTF, ANP investigators, and Aghan prosecutors. (SIGAR photo)
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION22
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
contractor who provides support to USACE at Kabul International Airport. Thiscase is the frst joint investigation between U.S. law enorcement agencies and
the ASIU resulting in the arrest o an Aghan citizen. The case generated signif-
cant interest at the highest levels o both the U.S. military and Aghan leadership.
The investigation began immediately ater the ICCTF received a complaint
that Mohammad Idress Qasimi, who worked as an interpreter, had demanded a
bribe rom a U.S.-unded contractor. Through their established contacts with the
ASIU, SIGAR agents elicited the support o the Aghan Attorney Generals Ofce
to conduct a joint investigation. Under the direction o Deputy Attorney General
Dr. Rahmatullah Nazari, two ASIU investigating prosecutors helped coordinate
the investigation. SIGAR provided $20,000 to be paid to Qasimi as a down pay-
ment on the bribe. The Aghan authorities arrested Qasimi immediately ater he
accepted the money, and the Aghan National Police (ANP) o Police District 10
took him into custody. SIGAR and ICCTF agents observed the arrest and subse-
quent processing o Qasimi by the ANP. The $20,000 was returned to SIGAR.
Aghan Contractor Oering Bribes ArrestedIn June 2011, a joint operation between SIGAR and members o the ICCTF in
cooperation with the ANP Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and Aghan pros-
ecutors in Kandahar led to the arrest o an Aghan contractor who had on two
SIGAR investigators participate in the arrest in June o an Aghan citizen or allegedly demand-
ing a bribe rom a U.S.-unded reconstruction contractor. This was the frst arrest o an Aghan
based on the collaboration o U.S. law enorcement agencies and the Aghan Shaafyat
Investigative Unit. (SIGAR photo)
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION24
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
that is responsible or the contract. SIGAR plans to integrate inormation rom
other criminal investigative agencies into this program. With signifcant assis-tance rom the U.S. Armys Major Procurement Fraud Unit and Task Force 2010,
SIGAR has made progress in developing a more coordinated approach to suspen-
sion and debarment. As a result o this eort, SIGAR reerred six individuals to
the Department o the Army or proposed debarment during this quarter. As o
June 30, 2011, SIGAR recommendations have resulted in 3 debarments. In addi-
tion, SIGAR has submitted 32 reerrals, including the 6 made during this quarter,
or the debarments o individuals and contractors.
SIGAR Augments Investigative Sta in AghanistanThis quarter SIGAR added two Foreign Service National Investigator positions to
the Investigative Directorate in Kabul. These investigators were vetted throughthe U.S. Embassy Regional Security Ofce and meet stringent security and
background criteria. They bring the linguistic and cultural expertise needed to
substantially bolster SIGARs ability to interact with Aghan government ofcials
and Aghan citizens. Both o the individuals recruited by SIGAR have several
years o experience working with U.S. law enorcement and military components
in Aghanistan.
The two investigators will work directly with SIGAR special agents in the
feld, conducting interviews, gathering evidence, and reviewing documents.
They will travel between the SIGAR duty locations throughout Aghanistan to
assist SIGAR agents in conducting case work, gathering inormation and devel-
oping intelligence, and holding raud awareness programs with the Provincial
Reconstruction Teams.
SIGAR Hotline and Complaints Management SystemThis quarter, the SIGAR Hotline received 71 complaints. O these, SIGAR has
reerred 6 or urther investigation by its own agents, reerred 6 to other agen-
cies, is reviewing 14, is evaluating 16, and has closed 29. SIGAR investigators
have 30 days to evaluate complaints and decide whether they merit urther
review and reerral. The SIGAR Hotline has received 637 complaints since 2009.
SIGAR BUDGETFrom 2008, when SIGAR was established, through FY 2011, the Congress has
appropriated $71.6 million to cover the organizations operating expenses.SIGARs FY 2012 budget request o $44.4 million will enable the organization to
hire the auditors and investigators needed to provide oversight o a U.S. recon-
struction eort that under President Obamas FY 2012 budget request would
expand by an additional $17.3 billion.
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 25
SIGAR OVERSIGHT
SIGAR STAFFSIGARs sta consists o 121 ederal employees. Because o the signifcant
increases in reconstruction unding in FY 2011 and FY 2012, SIGAR plans to build
its sta to a total o 180 ull-time employees in FY 2012.
SIGARs agreements with the U.S. Embassy Kabul and USFOR-A allow it to
station 33 personnel at the Embassy and 12 at military bases in the feld. SIGAR
auditors and investigators are now working at several locations in Aghanistan.
SIGAR also employs two oreign service nationals in its Kabul ofce. In addition,
SIGAR supports its work with sta assigned to short-term temporary duty in
Aghanistan.
Acting Special Inspector General Herbert Richardson swears in new SIGAR auditors and
investigators in June. This quarter, reconstruction unding increased, and SIGAR continued to
build its capacity to detect waste, raud, and abuse in the use o those unds. (SIGAR photo)
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION26
Training the Police
U.S. Army mentors examine a PKM machine gun during
weapons training or the Aghan National Police at the Joint
Regional ANP Center in Kandahar on June 6. U.S. Army
specialists are attached to the regional logistics center to
oversee the progress o police training. (U.S. Air Force photo,
SSGT Stephen D. Schester)
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2AFGHANISTANOVERVIEW
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION28
AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW
We will not police [Aghanistans]
streets or patrol its mountains
indefnitely. That is the responsibility othe Aghan government .What we can
do, and will do, is build a partnership
with the Aghan people that endures
one that ensures that we will be able
to continue targeting terrorists
and supporting a sovereign
Aghan government.
U.S. President Barack Obama
Source: U.S. President Barack Obama, Remarks by the President on the Way Forward in Aghanistan, 6/22/2011.
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REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I JULY 30, 2011 29
AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW
AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW
This quarter, SIGAR noted a number o developments that will aect the recon-
struction program in Aghanistan. Most important, the United States and its
international partners began transitioning responsibility or security to the
Aghan National Security Forces (ANSF). President Barack Obama announcedthat the United States would begin withdrawing troops, and the Aghan govern-
ment took the lead on security in seven areas o the country.
Several other developments also will inuence reconstruction:
A new U.S. Ambassador and U.S. orce commander arrived in Kabul.
The House o Representatives passed its version o the fscal year (FY) 2012
National Deense Appropriations Act, which would provide nearly $14 billion
or Department o Deense (DoD) reconstruction programs.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations issued a report on U.S. oreign
assistance to Aghanistan.
The Congress held several hearings on Aghanistan.
The Department o State (DoS) provided the certifcations necessary to obli-
gateDoSin reconstruction unds.
SECURITY TRANSITION BEGINSOn June 22, 2011, President Obama announced that the United States would
remove 10,000 troops rom Aghanistan by the end o 2011 and 23,000 more by
summer 2012. These troops account or the military surge that started in 2009.
The President said the United States is able to begin this reduction in orces
because o the progress it has made to deeat al-Qaeda, reverse the momentum
o the Taliban, and train Aghan security orces to deend their own country.
At the end o July, the United States began this withdrawal with a ew hundred
troops rom relatively stable areas in and around Kabul. At the same time, the
ANSF assumed primary responsibility or security in seven areas, including theprovinces o Panjshir and Bamyan, and most o the province o Kabul. The ANSF
is taking the lead in providing security or our cities: Herat, Mazar-e Shari,
Mehtar Lam, and Lashkar Gah. U.S. ofcials estimate that about 25% o the
Aghan population lives in the seven areas.1
The President described the drawdown as just the beginning o the transition
process and stressed the importance o maintaining the gains that had been made
through the surge. The President noted that because a political settlement is
necessary to achieve peace in Aghanistan, the United States would support peace
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SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION30
AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW
and reconciliation initiatives that included members o the Taliban who agree to
break with al-Qaeda, abandon violence, and abide by the Aghan constitution.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Aghan
Transition Coordination Commission have established a two-stage planning
process to guide the transition. During the frst stage, ofcials assess the condi-
tions on the ground in areas identifed or transition; in the second stage, they
develop the steps required to complete the transition. The evaluati