UNSCR 1267: UPDATING TALIBAN NAMES ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 036625 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2017 TAGS: AF EFIN ETTC FR KTFN PGOV PREL PTER UK UNSC SUBJECT: UNSCR 1267: UPDATING TALIBAN NAMES ON THE CONSOLIDATED LIST REF: 07 USUN 000173 Classified By: JAMES WARLICK, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS, REASONS 1.4 (B AND D) ¶1. (U) This is an action cable. See paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) Summary: Per reftel, updating the Taliban entries on UN 1267 Consolidated List is an important measure to implement UNSCR 1735, a resolution drafted by the USG which calls for updating the Taliban sanctions list to enhance its utility as a relevant and potent tool to combat the current upsurge of Taliban violence in Afghanistan. We will need to work with other countries not only to nominate currently active Taliban members for sanctioning, but also to update the biographic information of those already on the list, as well as to delist former Taliban. In order to begin this process, we need to urge those member states which have nominated Taliban individuals for listing and/or delisting to scrub their past/pending submissions to ensure we have the most accurate and up-to-date information. The UK, France and Russia have thus far submitted all Taliban listing requests. The government of Afghanistan has requested delisting for 20 Taliban individuals and may submit additional requests in the near future. The Russian Mission has made clear to USUN that current instructions from Moscow are to oppose all Taliban delisting requests. End Summary ¶3. (C) Objectives and Action Request: We would like to convey to host governments the seriousness with which we take updating the Taliban portion of the Consolidated List. Sanctioning current Taliban members and their facilitators could be a valuable tool in restricting Taliban travel as well as staunching the flow of funds and weapons to Taliban terrorists. Department requests that Embassies London, Paris and Moscow ask host governments at the appropriate level to carefully review their original Taliban designation requests to see if they have any updates to the biographic information for those already on the list. Embassies London and Paris (not/not Moscow) should ask host governments if any names proposed previously now qualify for delisting. Embassy Kabul should verify with Afghan authorities at the appropriate level that the original 20 names they requested for delisting (note: we have lifted our hold on 13 of the 20 names, but the UK, France and Russia maintain holds on some or all 20 names) are still valid; ask if the GOA has additional requests for delisting; urge Kabul to generate a list of names for Taliban sanctions; and, request Kabul consult us once they have generated de/listing requests so that we can resolve any potential problems early in the process and help move their requests through the Committee. Posts should report the results of their engagement with host governments no later than March 30. ¶4. (U) Point of Contact: Questions may be directed to IO/PSC (Erin Crowe, 202-736-7847). RICE