Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KABUL1015
2003-04-18 14:11:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

SE KHALILZAD'S APRIL 11 MEETING WITH NDS CHIEF

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR PTER AF PK 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 001015 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

NSC FOR ZKHALILZAD, JDWORKEN, HMANN, RHANSON, DSEDNEY
DEPT FOR SA/PAB, SA/AR, S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER AF PK
SUBJECT: SE KHALILZAD'S APRIL 11 MEETING WITH NDS CHIEF
ENGINEER AREF

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT P. FINN FOR REASONS
1.5 (B) AND (D)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 001015

SIPDIS

NOFORN

NSC FOR ZKHALILZAD, JDWORKEN, HMANN, RHANSON, DSEDNEY
DEPT FOR SA/PAB, SA/AR, S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER AF PK
SUBJECT: SE KHALILZAD'S APRIL 11 MEETING WITH NDS CHIEF
ENGINEER AREF

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT P. FINN FOR REASONS
1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (S/NF) Summary: SE Khalilzad met on April 11 with National
Directorate of Security (NDS) Chief Engineer Aref to discuss
current security conditions, his views on proposed
US-Afghan-Pakistan trilateral discussions, and to review NDS
reform. Aref told SE Khalilzad that Pakistan was indeed
promoting instability in Afghanistan and that trilateral
discussions might offer a way to address these activities.
Aref reported that security conditions were generally good,
but that the central government still lacked authority in the
provinces. Also, the NSC, as a new institution on the Afghan
scene, was struggling to find its appropriate role and assert
its authority on security matters within the Cabinet.
Finally, Aref noted that the appropriate strategy for NDS
reform had been worked out with US assistance. End summary.


2. (S/NF) SE Khalilzad met with NDS Chief Engineer Aref on
April 11. Khalilzad was accompanied by Ambassador, COS,
NSC,s Rebecca Hanson, DOD/OSD,s Mustafa Popal and
Econ/Commoff (notetaker). Khalilzad said his perception was
that the security situation was generally good, but that the
Taliban was regrouping. Khalilzad asked Aref his views in
this regard, and solicited his views on Afghan security
conditions and assessment of NDS reform. Khalilzad also
proposed a trilateral military-intel working group
(Afghan-Pakistani-US) to address Taliban and extremist
activities in Afghanistan. Engaging Pakistan to cease its
support of extremist activities was one main goal of this
working group, SE Khalilzad said.


3. (S/NF) Aref noted that ISI activities in Afghanistan were
still a problem, and that such ISI officers are deliberately
promoting extremism against Afghanistan. Peshawar-based ISI
Officers including Sultan and General Wahid were tasking
Afghans to work against the Afghan central government. Aref
alleged that ISI agents/assets working in Kandahar and

Jalalabad were providing free passage to terror elements to
cross into and out of Pakistan in vehicles loaded with arms.
Aref said this showed that Pakistan did not recognize Kabul
as Afghanistan,s central authority. (Note: Aref alleged
that 6,000 &safe passage8 permits for Afghan commanders had
been issued ) NFI.) In light of these activities, Aref
agreed that trilateral talks were a good idea, and could
supplement other contacts planned with ISI ) NFI. SE
Khalilzad noted he would raise the possibility of opening
this trilateral channel with President Karzai during
discussions over NDS reform.


4. (S/NF) Aref said security had undoubtedly improved
compared to the previous year. The NDS had begun many new
projects with American assistance. According to Aref, 90
percent of their efforts had been successful, but five to ten
percent of enemy plans had succeeded (including sabotage and
provoking provincial tribes against the central government).
Aref noted that the enemy program to assassinate key leaders
) including President Karzai and Minister of Defense Fahim
) was still in place. Aref noted that the war in Iraq had
inspired the madrassas to increase propaganda for jihad
against Americans and the &infidel8 Karzai government. In
addition to propaganda, the Taliban had attempted small-scale
attacks (e.g., in Zormat and Kandahar). Aref noted that NDS
foiled these attacks, adding that the Taliban strategy was to
find isolated pockets and manipulate the local population.


5. (S/NF) Aref said that the Afghan government had certain
political weaknesses. It has not been able to assert its
control over the provinces, and is not even in the position
to fire bad governors. Aref said that, nonetheless, the
government had many achievements ) especially in the
security sector ) but more was needed to improve the lives
of Afghans. We cannot simply police them, Aref said, and
nothing else. Aref added that the National Security Council
structure was a completely new experience in Afghanistan, and
that it would take time to find is place and appropriate role
in the system. The NSC was discussing how to incorporate
Ismail Khan and General Dostum into the government in Kabul.
Aref thought a solution would help improve security
conditions in the south as well. In general, Aref continued,
there are internal and external threats. Of the internal
threats, Aref emphasized the reluctance of certain prominent
elements within the Cabinet to implement the decisions of the
NSC. Aref noted he had passed messages about this to both
the President and ORCA, as U.S. lives were also at stake.
Aref added that sometimes the government makes a decision
that is not well communicated to other parts of the
government.


6. (S/NF) Aref said that clashes within the government were
not based upon ethnic or political differences ) as some
thought. He offered the example of Minister Jalali, who was
an expatriate and a Pashtun, with whom he has quickly
established a good working relationship. Jalali is given
broad license to interact with NDS elements without first
receiving clearances through Aref. Aref offered one solution
to some of the problems discussed. His suggestion was to
make former King Zahir Shah more effective. The former king
enjoys respect and wants to help unify the nation,
particularly with problems in the South.
FINN