JAPANESE RESTART ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON KANDAHAR-

UNCLAS KABUL 000379 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA/FO, SA/A, EB/TRA NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, AMEND CJTF-76 FOR POLAD, CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A TREASURY FOR PARAMESWARAN COMMERCE FOR AADLER TRANSPORTATION FOR MODESITT SENSITIVE E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID ELTN AF SUBJECT: JAPANESE RESTART ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON KANDAHAR- HERAT PORTION OF THE RING ROAD ¶1. (SBU) Kenji Saito, 3rd ranking officer at the Japanese Embassy, confirmed today that work restarted earlier this week on the Japanese portion of the Ring Road between Kandahar to Herat. This approximately 116 km portion stretches from Kandahar to the beginning of the Saudi-funded section in Helmand Province. According to Saito, this section should be complete by the end of calendar year 2006. Work had been halted since March 2005 for security concerns. Saito said the Japanese Ambassador plans to travel to the site after he returns from the London Conference. ¶2. (SBU) The Japanese Ambassador and staff met with Governor of Kandahar on January 25 at a dinner attended by the Charge. The Japanese grilled the governor on security and were assured that local authorities would do all they could to avert attacks. The governor noted that in addition to beefing up Afghan security forces, intensified cooperation with Pakistan was needed to improve control of the border region and prevent infiltration of terrorists from Pakistani territory. The governor noted that suicide attacks occurred in Europe, too, and in the end there was only so much he could do to prevent them, but he committed to doing all he could. ¶3. (SBU) Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) staff members met with CJTF76 officials based near Kandahar and requested medical support for Japanese nationals supervising the Kandahar-Herat road construction project. CJTF76 explained that medical resources in the region had a primary mission for Combined Forces personnel; however, if the capability and capacity were available at the time of the injury, CJTF76 would treat severe injuries (life, limb, and eyesight) only. Minor injuries should be treated at the local Kandahar Hospital. Japanese Embassy officials in Kabul are going through both civilian and military channels to negotiate a written agreement for in extremis medical treatment for JICS staff in Kandahar. NORLAND