Section 1: Introduction
This paper seeks to provide clear guidelines for Provincial Committees on the procedures for the implementation of DIAG Main Phase. These guidelines are based on the operations and development concept papers endorsed by the DIAG Steering Group. The success of the DIAG programme will depend on the leadership and effectiveness of the Government at the Provincial and Central levels.

Lessons Learned from candidates disarmament phase
   -   The DIAG programme is most effective when the Provincial Committees are exercising leadership and functioning well.
   -   The National Security Institutions in the provinces must improve coordination and information sharing.
   -   There must be systematic analysis of information on commanders and illegal armed groups to ensure that information is        continually updated.
   -   The procedures for the collection of weapons must be clarified to ensure the accurate recording, verification, safe storage        and transport of weapons.

Aim and Objective
The overall aim of the DIAG programme is the disarmament and disbandment of all illegal armed groups, paying particular attention to the threats those illegal armed groups pose to Afghan society. At the provincial and district levels, this process will facilitate the extension of the rule of law and promote good governance, economic and social development.

Section 2: General Guidelines
   1.   Public Information:
         It is critical that the population is informed of the aims and progress of the DIAG programme. This information should be          communicated through local radio, television, newspapers, religious leaders, shuras, and community meetings. Regular          updates on the progress of DIAG should be included in the public information campaign to create additional pressure and          demand from communities for the illegal groups to disarm and disband. The D&R Commission will provide detailed          guidelines on messages to be communicated through the Public Information campaign. (see annex 3)

   2.   Gathering and analyzing information:
         The Provincial Committee should collect information on illegal armed groups operating in the province. Old information          should be updated and verified. Complaints from communities about the activities of illegal armed groups should be          included in the analysis. This information should be compiled and sent to the D&R Commission.

The Provincial Committee will undertake and document as broad as possible a consultation with the full range of military and civilian actors, and communities, regarding perceptions of the threat posed by illegal armed groups. The PRTs and UNAMA will provide information and independent analysis to support to work of the Provincial Committees.

   3.   Selecting target district:
         Based on the information collected, the Provincial Committee should assess the presence of illegal armed groups and          commanders in specific districts. This district assessment should address the following:
           -    Districts where the presence of illegal armed groups prevents the District Governor and police from implementing the                 rule of law and counter narcotics initiatives;
           -    Ongoing disputes between armed groups and communities due to illegal taxation, land occupation and other illegal                 activities;
           -    Lack of development activities due to insecurity caused by the presence of illegal armed groups.

In cases where the threat from illegal armed groups is highly localized, but present in parts of several districts, the Provincial Committee may propose initiating action in several of these localities.

After completing this analysis the Provincial Committee will propose a priority district in which to start the main phase of DIAG. This proposal will be sent to the D&R Commission for approval.

         The mapping of Government officials that maintain links with illegal armed groups has already begun. A strong statement          will be issued from the office of H.E. the President to inform all Government officials who have links with illegal armed          groups and still have weapons and ammunition at their disposal to cooperate with the programme. The message will          include measures for sanctions in the case of non-compliance. These officials will be notified by the Joint Secretariat of the          D&R Commission. The disarmament of these officials will have no linkage with development initiatives as described below

   5.   District disarmament plan:
         Once the priority district has been determined, the Provincial Committee will develop a plan for disarmament and          disbandment in this district. This plan will include measures to ensure security (deployment of additional security forces          and local PRTs, removal of illegal checkpoints, enhanced police communications), improve governance (appointment of          effective District Governor and security personnel), effective weapons collection and verification, and a plan for monitoring          compliance. The involvement of District Government and community representatives in this process should also be          encouraged.

The plan should highlight what can be implemented from resources within the province, and where additional assistance from Kabul will be required (i.e. deployment of ANP/ANA, appointment of negotiators from Central Government, etc.). The district disarmament plan will be sent to the D&R Commission for approval.

   6.   Inform commanders and make implementation arrangements:
         The Provincial Governor will issue a letter to selected commanders providing them with deadline (one month) to          voluntarily disarm. The Provincial Committee will begin discussions with commanders in the district. Commanders will be          informed of the location and procedures for handing in their weapons and that their compliance will be monitored.

   7.   Monitoring of Compliance:
         The Provincial Committee, with support from PRTs and UNAMA, will be responsible for monitoring the compliance of the          commanders. The assessment of compliance will be based on the following criteria:
           -    Disarmament: Information from the security institutions and weapons collection teams that weapons and ammunition                 under the control of the commanders are being handed over in compliance with the Gun Law (number of weapons                 handed over in relation to estimates of weapons held);
           -    Reduction in Illegal Activities: Information that the illegal groups have stopped or reduced their illegal activities                 (narcotics production and trafficking, illegal taxation, land occupation). This should include community surveys on the                 activities of Illegal Armed Groups;
           -    Improvements in Governance: District Governor able to extend Government authority in the targeted district,                 reduction in misuse of Government assets, enhanced access to justice.
           -    Improvements in Security: Ability of the ANP to travel and extend security in the targeted district.
           -    Non-Violent Conflict Resolution: Increase in use of Shuras or Government officials to resolve community conflicts.

   9.   Confirmation of Compliance:
         Provincial Committees will continue to monitor the compliance of the targeted commanders and groups in the district.          When the provincial Committee assesses that commanders and illegal armed groups in the district have complied, they          will inform the D&R Commission and provide information to confirm their assessment. The D&R Commission will review          the compliance and issue a certificate of disbandment if they feel that compliance has been achieved. They will instruct          that the implementation of the development and governance projects can begin.

   10.  Implementation of Development and Governance Projects:
         After confirmation of compliance and review of project proposals by the D&R Commission Development Group,          implementing Ministries/Agencies will be instructed that implementation of DIAG development and governances projects          can begin. The specific methods of implementation will vary between projects and implementing agencies. The Provincial          Community Development Committee and in the implementing Ministry/Agency will closely monitor project implementation          and report regularly to the Provincial Committee and the D&R Commission.

The D&R Commission is also responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the Provincial Committees and the Governor’s leadership of the DIAG programme. The D&R Commission will facilitate enhancement of the capacity of the Provincial Committees, as necessary, and with the assistance of the Ministry of Interior. The D&R Commission will provide regular reports to the DIAG Steering Committee, chaired by the Vice President.

The D&R Commission will periodically undertake independent assessments of the level and distribution of threat posed by illegal armed groups at provincial level. It will hold provincial committees accountable for discrepancies between the location of threats and the focus of provincial disarmament efforts. The D&R Commission will develop a mechanism for recording complaints of abuse of authority or harassment by any agency involved in the DIAG process. It will provide for appropriate appraisal and redress.

The Disarmament and Reintegration Commission states its gratefulness for the works and activities of all officials and Provincial Committees in execution of the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) candidate phase. During the last two months good results were achieved which increased the confidence of the people to their elected government. Meanwhile, the experiences resulting from execution of this program show that there are some imperfections in the execution of the program in different provinces. The experience of the candidates phase shows that in some provinces, this work has been done with more commitment and initiative, but in some provinces the Provincial Administration acted reluctantly in this regard and there were not considerable results. The analysis of reports received from provinces show that there is a considerable difference between the reported figure and the amount of delivered weapons to the ANBP office and large amounts of weapons have not been delivered to the related organs. This has created many questions regarding the functioning of the Provincial Committees for the Government Administration and also for the International Community. The Main Phase of DIAG should be pursued with more seriousness. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is determined to use all legal means for provision of public order and security with more seriousness and decisiveness in execution of this program. With regard to the above-mentioned points, the followings are instructed and all officials of security organs have the responsibility to execute them under instruction of Governors of provinces:

Article One:
Guiding documents and removal of shortcomings in execution of program:
        1. The Steering Committee of the Disarmament and Reintegration Commission has recently sent you guidelines that were             prepared and approved by the Committee using the experiences of last two months for improving the work of Provincial             Committees. You should have multilateral and persistent effort in the execution of this guidelines.
        2. All Corps Commanders, Chief of police of provinces, and Heads of National Security are strictly instructed to participate             personally in all measures taken by the Provincial Committees and actively participate in putting the decisions into             practice. Sending of lower ranking officials should be strictly avoided.
        3. At the end of every month, the Provincial Committees should send detailed report of their executions and activities to             the Head of Disarmament and Reintegration Commission, namely to the office of Second Vice President. Responsibility             of compiling the report is collective and Provincial DIAG Coordinator (PDC) who is appointed for every province should             consolidate it and the Governor of province should sign it.
        4. The representative of ANBP (officer in charge of collection of weapons) should be present and give a receipt for delivery             of weapons to the person which delivers the weapon, and the report of delivery should officially be sent to the Center by             Governor of province through the channel of the Ministry of Interior.
        5. According to the first guideline that was sent to the Provincial Committees and based on the attachment to this guideline,             the responsibility of centers of collection of weapons rests with the security organs. According to the reports, which are             sent recently from the working teams of ANBP to the Center, the number of weapons in these centers, which have been             handed over by different persons are not the same with the figures in the first official reports, and only those weapons,             which the candidates have delivered, are registered. Provincial Committees of every province should quickly determine             the number of delivered weapons and ammunitions by different persons and organs and clarify the causes of differences             in the reports.

Those who have made excuses, or have used these weapons without permission, or have not included them in the submitted report, will be seriously questioned.

        6. The presence of the officer in-charge of weapon collection and a representative of ANBP is a must during the hand over             of weapons by the commanders or individuals who are submitting their weapons in order to prevent future             misunderstandings.
        7. No institution has the right to change, redistribute or use the submitted weapons on their own without formal permission.
        8. Changing the delivered weapons with used and unusable ones is a crime. Any institutions found to be involved in such             action will be interrogated officially.

Article Two:
Measures to be taken during the DIAG Main phase:
        9. The Disarmament and Reintegration Commission has issued guidelines to Provincial Committees on the steps in the             implementation of the DIAG Main Phase. All security institutions should follow these guidelines under the direction of the             Provincial Governors and the Disarmament and Reintegration Commission.

Article Three:
Measures for registration and control of armed groups who cooperate with security forces or function in the form of security companies
       10. Related organs of the Ministry of Interior are obligated to register in a proper way all private companies responsible for             ensuring security to reconstruction and other security affairs within one month, and to make the list of employees,             temporary registration of their authorized weapons and other military equipment used by them and also specify their             area of responsibility. This is worth mentioning that the private companies can only extend their activities from one             province to another with the consent of the Ministry of Interior and also inform local bodies of their activities.
       11. A team being appointed by the governor under the chairmanship of the head of police, security representatives,             national army, provincial representatives including PRT should immediately register the weapons and ammunitions of             those employees and commanders who are employed within the framework of these companies, and send a detailed             report to the center.
       12. Other security forces protecting boundaries or fighting along side the official forces against terrorism shall be brought             under an appropriate order. No one has the right to organize armed personnel under different titles outside the             organizational framework of the government or organize such covert structures.

In places where local forces are needed to protect boundaries or fight against terrorist networks, the following points should be strictly taken into consideration:
            - Their weapons and ammunition should be immediately registered
            - In order to prevent obstinacy, they should be kept under single command
            - Their employment should be temporary
            - Approved by the provincial security committee, a mechanism should be in place to control their activities.

Detailed reports of these institutions should be prepared by the security organs and submitted to the next meeting of the steering committee of the Disarmament and Reintegration Commission for decisions and followed by the provincial authorities.

The implementation of this order in the center is the responsibility of deputies of the Minister of Security and Department of National Security, and governors in cooperation with the representatives of the security organs and the provincial Taskforce Committees at the provincial level.
        Minister of Interior                      Minister of Defense                      General Director of National Security

Section 4
Annex 2: Instructions on Weapons Collection and Verification Procedures

MoI, and or MoD and or ANA have the responsibility of maintaining Weapon Collection Points (WCPs). ANBP Weapon Collection Team (WCT) is responsible for overall command and control of all procedures at the WCP. WCT is to ensure WCP Officer in Charge (OIC) is capable of the following DIAG weapon collection procedures at each WCP. These are as follows:
        1. No weapons are removed, exchanged or reutilized without permission of ANBP WCT.
        2. The WCP container is never opened except for weapon collection purposes or under direction of WCT.
        3. WCP OIC must use the double padlock procedure. WCP OIC holds one key and the second person, normally Op Gp             Officer, holds the second key. No one person will possess both keys.
        4. All weapons handed into the WCP are correctly identified and checked for serviceability. Unserviceable weapons must             clearly be marked (along barrel) with RED spray paint.
        5. WCP OIC is to ensure appropriate guard of the WCP site is maintained at all times.
        6. The WCP OIC will record all weapon serial numbers. A list, by individual, is to be provided to the WCT during             verification.
        7. The WCP OIC will produce a minimum of four Weapon Collection Certificates (WCC) ensuring that it is completely filled             out and distributed as follows:
            - One copy for the individual handing in the weapons and/or ammunition,
            - One copy to be retained by the WCP,
            - One copy for the ANBP WCT,
            - One Copy to MoD.
        8. The WCC receipt will indicate type, number and status (operational and non-operational) of weapons as well as             commander’s name, son of, and district. For community development purposes it is important that the DISTRICT the             weapons or ammunition comes from is completed. The district requested at the top relates to the district the individual             was born. The district requested near the bottom of the form relates to where the weapons and ammunition is handed in             from.
        9. If OIC or Op Gp is notified that ammunition is also to be handed in, they are to advise WCT which will request support             from ANBP Ammunition Survey Team (AST). Under no circumstances is ammo to be bought directly to a WCP.
      10. No Weapon Certificate is issued from a WCP without weapons being physically handed into WCP or ANBP mobile WCP.             Certificates must not be issued on the basis of a promise to bring weapons.

Section 4
Annex 3: Instructions on Public Information Campaign (from the dari original)
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
D&R Commission
Joint Secretariat

To the Ministry of Information and Culture:
The D&R Commission expresses its gratitude to the overall cooperation of the Ministry particularly the honorable Mr. Sangcharaki the Deputy Minister for his leading role in the public information campaign relating to DIAG. On completion of the DIAG NAPCE Candidates phase, we are at the beginning of the main phase of this program, the implementation of which needs the public awareness and public information campaign throughout the country, the following is ordered:

        1. The governors of provinces are tasked to assign, in accordance with the attached guidelines, a group for public             information campaign and public awareness with participation of the Representative of the DIAG members, the official in             charge of Secretariat of the Working Committee, Heads of Information and Culture, and the responsible person for             Pilgrimage and Endowment, to take appropriate measures initiating an effective Public Information campaign among             people, commanders and elders in order to accelerate the process of collecting weapons and ammunitions and the             dangers it poses to the people and stability of the country.
        2. The Ministry of information and Culture is tasked to cooperate with the Provincial Working Committees by using its             communication means and facilities, and to lead the Public Information work in cooperation with the responsible officials             for collection of weapons and the press offices of the governors.
        3. To encourage and accelerate the process, the official at the Secretariat of the Working Committee is responsible to             provide the progress reports and actions taken, upon confirmation of the Provincial Working Committee, to the Public             Information Committee for awareness of the public.
        4. The central office of the ANBP and the JS of the D&R Commission will cooperate with the Ministry of Information and             Culture in order to assist with the implementation of program.
        5. Those officials who play effective role in public campaign and successfully achieved results shall be commended and             introduced to the VP office.

You are informed of the above to take appropriate actions and cooperate with D&R Commission through the Joint Secretariat.

Mohammad Karim Khalili, Second Deputy of the President
and Head of the Commission for Collection of Weapons and Reintegration
CC: Ministry of Haj and Pilgrimage

Annex to the Instruction of VP ---: Public Information Campaign Work and Public Awareness:
In accordance with clause --- of the guidelines of the Provincial Working Committees for implementing the main phase of collection of weapons and reintegration in Afghanistan, the following points are to be taken into account for better organizing the Public Information campaign and public awareness:

        1. The Public Information Committee is composed of the provincial representative of the Disarmament and Reintegration             program who is working in the Working Committee of the Secretariat of Disarmament and Reintegration in governors’             offices, Head of Information and Culture, Head of the Pilgrimage and Endowments and the Representative of the media             section of the governor office. The Provincial head of Information and Culture shall chair the sessions of Public             Information Campaign and Public Awareness. Members of this committee shall carry out the following tasks:
            a) The Head of Information and Culture and Head of the Public Information Campaign and Public Awareness for                 implementation of collection of weapons and reintegration program will:
                 - Convene and chair weekly meetings of the Public Information Campaign Committee
                 - Add up the main issues to be attended in the Public Information Campaign and Public awareness program, and                    select appropriate messages for media to be worked on through the week.
                 - Collaborate the Public Information campaign activities with the Pilgrimage and Endowment department, and select                    priorities that will have to be discussed by the religious scholars on Friday prayers and other appropriate occasions.
                 - Regulate and reflect the opinion of people about the collection of weapons and reintegration.
            b) Head of the Pilgrimage and Endowment as member of the Committee:
                 - Regulate the Public Information work and public awareness activity by the scholars to preach the significance of                    security and danger of using illegal weapon.
                 - Elaborate on corruption preventing issues, which is the result of scattered weapons and ammunition in the hands of                    irresponsible and lawlessness people in society.
                 - Convey to people the agreed upon messages of the provincial committees as well as those of the center relating to                    the collection of weapons and reintegration.
                 - Advocate earnestly through scholars to encourage people participate in the process of collection of weapons and                    reintegration.
            c) Secretariat in charge of working committee of Collection of Weapons and Reintegration in provinces:
                 - Provide information about policy, main objectives, general messages and guidelines sent from the center by the                    Secretariat of the D&R Commission, or guidelines and documents adopted for implementation of this program in                    the field.
                 - Provide information about the actions of the Provincial Working Committees as well as specific guidance of the                    governors in cooperation with the person in charge of the media of governor.
                 - Arrange preliminary information necessary for public awareness with the assistance of all members of the                    Secretariat of the Working Committee.
                 - Examine the local messages, which should not contradict the general spirit and policy of the Collection of Weapons                    and Reintegration program.
                 - Provide information on the progress made in the implementation of program and requires to be made available to                    the media systematically.
                 - Provide information to the Provincial Working Committee and governor office about the actions taken as well                    receiving advices, which are needed by the Public Information Campaign and Public Awareness Committee.
            d) Role of the international partners:
                 - The representatives of UN agencies or PRT along with the ANBP and Head of Information and Cultural will                    participate jointly and cooperate in the activities of the Public Awareness Committee who carries responsibility in its                    initial phase.
                 - The Secretariat of Provincial Working Committee should carefully request assistance from the international donors                    who are ready to help build further their capacity for this program.

Section 4
Annex 4:
DIAG Provincial Committee Organogram

Annex 5:
PUBLIC OUTREACH MESSAGES

General
            - The aim of the DIAG program is the disarmament and the disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (IAGs)
            - This is an Afghan Government led program and supported by friendly countries
            - As provided by the Gun Law, the ownership and use of weapons and ammunition is strictly regulated. The possession               or use of weapons and/or ammunition by individuals or groups outside the framework of the law is illegal
            - Groups or individuals illegally possessing or using weapons and/or ammunition pose a threat to Afghanistan’s security               and stability, consequently hampering development and assistance efforts and holding back Afghanistan’s future
            - DIAG is different to DDR , there is no individual benefits under this programme and the weapons must be collected               according to the Gun Law

1/ Messages for Commanders and leaders of IAG
            - “If anyone saved a life, it will be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Holy Qoran – Almaida 31). Contributing               to DIAG means saving lifes and living according to the principles of the Qoran
            - As provided by the Gun Law, the possession of weapons/ ammunition outside the framework of the legislation is illegal
            - After years of painful war, the Afghan nation wants disarmament and return to normal life. The voice of the Afghan               people should be heard
            - Through the DIAG program - and after missing the chance to disarm through DDR - commanders are given one more               opportunity to disarm by voluntarily handing over their weapons to the authorities
            - Non compliance with the law will make violators ineligible for elected office and subject to prosecution
            - The weapons collected under the DIAG program will be stored and used by the elected Government of Afghanistan for               the security of the country
            - All unregistered weapons will be eventually collected by the government. It is better to take advantage of this               opportunity and become good citizens of Afghanistan, instead of being illegal and criminal
            - Weapons are to be handed over only to the Weapon Collection Points (WCP). There are WCPs in each province. Once               handed over to a WCP, a proper receipt of the weapons handed in should be received.
            - DIAG is different to DDR, there is no individual benefits under this programme and the weapons must be collected               according to the Gun Law

2/ to local authorities

(Namely Chief of Police and provincial government)
            - The DIAG program is a government program. Local authorities have a duty to cooperate to implement the program
            - An active DIAG program will support the implementation of the Gun Law. Local authorities have a duty to enforce the               legislation
            - The implementation of the Gun Law will promote rule of law
            - After years of painful war, the Afghan nation wants disarmament and return to normal life. The voice of the Afghan               people should be heard
            - Local authorities will be monitored by the central government. Lack of cooperation, neglect of duty, or interfering with               the program will lead to dismissal

3/ to the communities
            - The presence of IAGs is an obstacle to safety and security, for the families and children as well as livestock or other               assets. For the sake of the communities, weapons should be surrendered. Protecting/harboring IAGs can prove               disastrous for communities.
            - Weapons and ammunitions belonging to IAGs are often stored in populated areas. They are also very unstable and               dangerous. This can lead to terrible tragedies as already witnessed in Afghanistan
            - The conduct of illegal activities by IAGs and the ongoing disputes between groups prevent the establishment of a safe               and secure environment and the implementation of the rule of law.
            - A safe and secure environment, and the rule of law are prerequisites to stability, itself a pre-condition for assistance               and sustainable development in Afghanista
            - Communities and their leaders have a duty to put pressure on IAGs so they disarm and disband. The benefit will be               two-fold: enhanced safety and facilitated development assistance
            - Enhanced security will enhance the confidence of donors. There will be more development assistance and the                             government will be in a position to accelerate development and governance projects for the communities
            - When knowing of locations or caches of weapons, it is a duty to contact the nearest Afghan or international security               forces so weapons can be checked and safely disposed of
            - DIAG is different to DDR, there is no individual benefits under this programme and the weapons must be collected               according to the Gun Law

4/ to the International Community (IC)
            - The IC supports the overall DIAG process which will allow stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan
            - The IC will support the Afghan government when implementing development and governance projects within               communities having complied with the DIAG program
            - IAGs support narcotics trade which harms the rest of the world. Disbanding IAGs will contribute to curb drug trafficking               and reduce the threat for the rest of the world
            - Peace in Afghanistan means peace for the world, By laying down weapons, IAGs leaders contribute to the world’s               security

The Disarmament and Reintegration Commission is issuing specific instructions to improve the coordination of MoI, MoD, and NDS.
The Disarmament and Reintegration Commission is issuing specific instructions on the procedures for weapons collection.