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