RFG: HOSTAGE TAKING IN AFGHANISTAN AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000189 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017 TAGS: NATO PREF PTER PREL AF SUBJECT: RFG: HOSTAGE TAKING IN AFGHANISTAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATO REF: A. USNATO 186 B. USNATO 183 Classified By: DCM Richard Olson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This cable contains a request for guidance in paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) As previewed in reftels, the Secretary General has placed the issue of hostage taking in Afghanistan on the agenda of the 3:30 p.m. Permanent Representatives' coffee on March 27. Specifically, he wishes to examine implications for NATO. Reftel A details the Secretary General's thoughts on a common NATO hostage policy, and his inclination toward establishing a common policy. It also notes that in Mission's view, achieving consensus on an Alliance policy, similar to NSPD 12, for example, will be very difficult, as many will likely believe such a discussion crosses sovereign redlines. ¶3. (C) Mission requests guidance for the Ambassador's participation in the discussion no later than OOB Brussels March 27. NULAND