LORD PADDY ASHDOWN MEETS HAMID KARZAI IN KUWAIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001746

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR P, SCA, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU PINR AF
SUBJECT: LORD PADDY ASHDOWN MEETS HAMID KARZAI IN KUWAIT TO
DISCUSS POSSIBLE ROLE AS UN ENVOY

Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On December 12, CDA met with British Lord Jeremy (AKA
Paddy) Ashdown for a readout on an earlier meeting that day
between Ashdown and Afghanistan President Karzai to discuss
the possibility of Ashdown becoming the UN Envoy to
Afghanistan. Ashdown assessed that the terms of reference he
received from U/S Burns are acceptable, but he would need a
direct line of communication with the Secretary and regular
access to USG intelligence products. He added that dealing
with Pakistan would be a major challenge and Musharraf must
be pressured to change his current policy. Ashdown will
spend the next 2-3 months assembling a plan of action,
followed by visits with Karzai to key capitals. He and
Karzai agreed to engage politically with Taliban elements
willing to exchange bullets for ballots. He stressed that he
does not want to be put under UNDPKO authority. End Summary.


First Formal Meeting between Ashdown and Karzai
-------------- --


2. (C) On December 12, CDA met with British Lord Jeremy (AKA
Paddy) Ashdown and UK Ambassador to Kuwait Stuart Laing for a
readout on an earlier meeting at Kuwait's Bayan Palace
between Ashdown and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and
members of the Afghanistan Cabinet (on a state visit to
Kuwait). Ashdown said that his breakfast meeting with
Karzai, also held on December 12, was not publicly advertised
and was attended by Afghanistan Foreign Minister Rangin
Dadfar Spanta, Finance Minister Anwar Ul-Haq Ahady, Commerce
and Industry Minister Mohammad Amin Farhang, National
Security Advisor Dr. Zalmay Rassoul and Economic Advisor to
the President Ishaq Naderi. Ashdown stated that the purpose
of the meeting was for he and Karzai to get to know each
other as Ashdown considers the possibility of becoming the UN
Envoy to Afghanistan.


3. (C) This meeting was the first formal encounter between
the two, and began with discussions on poetry, philosophy and
India, where they discovered a great deal in common in terms
of childhood and educational experiences. Ashdown noted that
he was undecided on whether Karzai presents himself more as a
tribal chieftain or state leader.

Terms of Reference
--------------


4. (C) Ashdown said that he was still studying the Envoy
position's terms of reference as outlined by U/S Burns, but
indicated that his initial impression is that these terms
effectively enable the Envoy "to do the job." He added that
Karzai has requested a copy of these points to determine the
authority and role that the UN Envoy would employ. In the
terms, Ashdown understood he would have a direct line of
access to the Secretary of State. Ashdown requested, if he
accepts the position, that he have excellent cooperation and
regular updates from U.S. intelligence services, as he did as
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ashdown
stressed that he does not want to have to report to the UN
Department for Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO).

Pakistan: "Bee Buzzing in Karzai's Bonnet"
--------------


5. (C) According to Ashdown, he and Karzai spoke at length
about Pakistan and how Pakistan's interference in internal
Afghani dynamics, though temporarily diminished at present,
is one of the main sources of problems in Afghanistan. He
said that Karzai intends to visit President Musharraf after
the December 19-22 Eid holidays to discuss the future
bilateral relationship. Ashdown intimated that Musharraf is
bent on expanding Pakistani influence in Afghanistan, stating
that Pakistan aims to take over the former USSR's role in
leadership of Afghanistan. He added that Musharraf's
Pakistan has become a "bee buzzing in Karzai's bonnet."
Ashdown said that if he takes on the role as UN Envoy, one of
his primary goals is to reduce Pakistani interference in
Afghan affairs.

KUWAIT 00001746 002 OF 002



Paddy's Plan of Action
--------------


6. (C) Ashdown said that if he takes on the role of UN
Envoy, he would spend 2-3 months assembling a plan of action.
If Karzai agreed with this plan, the pair would travel to
various capitals (he indicated London, Paris, Washington, and
possibly Beijing and Moscow) to seek buy-in from key players.
He added that he and Karzai agree that some Taliban members
should be allowed to engage in the political process,
provided that they vote with ballots vice bullets. The key,
he suggested, is in separating the homegrown, or misguided,
Taliban from the more dangerous elements recruited from
outside of Afghanistan.









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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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MISENHEIMER