MFA CITES THREE CONCERNS WITH OSCE ROLE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000566

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM, AND SA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV BGMT OSCE PREL PTER GR AF
SUBJECT: MFA CITES THREE CONCERNS WITH OSCE ROLE IN
AFGHANISTAN


Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier or
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On Aprl Poloff delivered reftel demarche and points
to Mr. Sotirios Demestichas of the MFA D3 Directorate for the
OSCE and the Council of Europe. Demestichas emphasized that
any OSCE engagement with Afghanistan should address what the
Afghan government cites as its priorities, and he looked
favorably on the fact that the GoA had specifically requested
customs border assistance.


2. (C) In terms of OSCE engagement within the borders of
Afghanistan, Demestichas highlighted the following three
areas of concern: security, a potential for duplication of
efforts, and legal issues surrounding an internal OSCE field
mission. (Note: Demestichas said these are "areas of concern
for those OSCE nations that have concerns" and would not
explicitly equate them to GoG concerns. End note.) Poloff
drew from "if asked" points to explain that the OSCE should
provide its own security apparatus similar to the numerous
other international organizations, bilateral missions, and
NGOs on the ground in Afghanistan and that this should be
funded through extra-budgetary funds. Poloff also
underscored that the OSCE would not duplicate customs and
border security efforts that are being undertaken by others.


3. (C) Demestichas offered to continue discussions on the
OSCE's role in Afghanistan in more "concrete terms" once the
OSCE Secretariat announced proposals for participating member
states in the coming months.
SPECKHARD