Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK680
2007-08-16 15:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
UN SYG BAN ON NEW AFGHANISTAN ENVOY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000680
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF
SUBJECT: UN SYG BAN ON NEW AFGHANISTAN ENVOY
REF: A. STATE 108660
B. USUN 665
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000680
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF
SUBJECT: UN SYG BAN ON NEW AFGHANISTAN ENVOY
REF: A. STATE 108660
B. USUN 665
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Returning to New York August 13, UN SYG Ban met with
Amb Khalilzad to discuss a number of issues, including the
proposed new UN envoy for Afghanistan. Ban said there is as
yet no consensus on whether to appoint an additional envoy.
He noted that the Europeans are in disagreement about the
matter, and recalled that during the Italian-hosted rule of
law conference in June, President Karzai had questioned the
utility of an envoy who is not based in Kabul.
2. (C) Amb Khalilzad advised Ban that the purpose of an
additional envoy is to sustain and mobilize support from the
international community. This is an important task which
merits additional resources. Ban said it would be helpful if
he had a better understanding of the role envisioned for such
an envoy, including a clear delineation of duties to be
handled by the SRSG and those to be carried out by the new
envoy. In this regard, Ban said he hoped to increase his
personal involvement in fostering regional diplomacy on
Afghanistan.
3. (C) Separately, the Canadian mission informed USUN August
15 that the newly assigned Canadian Ambassador to Kabul, Arif
Lalani, has recommended to Ottawa that the UN effort needs to
be energized, although the Canadians have not yet decided
whether an additional envoy is the appropriate mechanism.
4. (C) Comment: The Dutch, Danish and German PermReps had
expressed misgivings about an additional envoy to SYG Ban
during a breakfast hosted by the Canadians in July. The
German argued that the best way to address concerns about an
anemic UN role is to replace SRSG Koenigs, while the Dane was
skeptical that "another layer" would help. Under
Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Guehenno shared
SIPDIS
his view that the different and sometimes competing policies
of ISAF countries provides the greatest challenge to the
international effort in Afghanistan. To persuade Ban to
appoint an additional envoy, we will need to bring the
Afghans and Europeans on board. End Comment.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF
SUBJECT: UN SYG BAN ON NEW AFGHANISTAN ENVOY
REF: A. STATE 108660
B. USUN 665
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Returning to New York August 13, UN SYG Ban met with
Amb Khalilzad to discuss a number of issues, including the
proposed new UN envoy for Afghanistan. Ban said there is as
yet no consensus on whether to appoint an additional envoy.
He noted that the Europeans are in disagreement about the
matter, and recalled that during the Italian-hosted rule of
law conference in June, President Karzai had questioned the
utility of an envoy who is not based in Kabul.
2. (C) Amb Khalilzad advised Ban that the purpose of an
additional envoy is to sustain and mobilize support from the
international community. This is an important task which
merits additional resources. Ban said it would be helpful if
he had a better understanding of the role envisioned for such
an envoy, including a clear delineation of duties to be
handled by the SRSG and those to be carried out by the new
envoy. In this regard, Ban said he hoped to increase his
personal involvement in fostering regional diplomacy on
Afghanistan.
3. (C) Separately, the Canadian mission informed USUN August
15 that the newly assigned Canadian Ambassador to Kabul, Arif
Lalani, has recommended to Ottawa that the UN effort needs to
be energized, although the Canadians have not yet decided
whether an additional envoy is the appropriate mechanism.
4. (C) Comment: The Dutch, Danish and German PermReps had
expressed misgivings about an additional envoy to SYG Ban
during a breakfast hosted by the Canadians in July. The
German argued that the best way to address concerns about an
anemic UN role is to replace SRSG Koenigs, while the Dane was
skeptical that "another layer" would help. Under
Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Guehenno shared
SIPDIS
his view that the different and sometimes competing policies
of ISAF countries provides the greatest challenge to the
international effort in Afghanistan. To persuade Ban to
appoint an additional envoy, we will need to bring the
Afghans and Europeans on board. End Comment.
KHALILZAD