Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA887
2008-09-08 08:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS INCREASE IN AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBY #0887 2520828 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 080828Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0066 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0259 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0680
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000887
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A FOR NISHA SINGH, EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2018
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS INCREASE IN AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY
REF: A. CANBERRA 873
B. STATE 93225
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000887
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A FOR NISHA SINGH, EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2018
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS INCREASE IN AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY
REF: A. CANBERRA 873
B. STATE 93225
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
1. (C/NF) The GOA is broadly supportive of the proposal to
increase the Afghan National Army (ANA),according to Shane
Flanagan, Executive Officer, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and West Asia Section of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Flanagan expressed the appreciation
of the GOA for U.S. leadership in Afghanistan and acknowleged
the goal to strengthen national institutions such as the ANA,
as critical to stabilizing the country. He observed that
Australia is not a member of the Joint Coordination Board
where the vote to increase the ANA will be taken, although
Australia was an observer to a Board meeting held earlier in
Tokyo. He advised that before Australia can consider
participation in the multidonor trust fund, the GOA welcomes
additional information on the management of the fund, as well
as how it will be coordinated with the Combined Security
Transition Command Afghanistan (CSTCA). Post requests
Department guidance on these points.
2. (C/NF) Flanagan advised that Australia will deploy its
Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Oruzgan
Province in November 2008. He reiterated two points from a
NATO briefing on OMLTs held in Canberra on July 9, 2008. The
briefing cautioned that increases in the ANA would
necessitate additional OMLTs, and that to the extent OMLTs
are used to train the Afghan National Police (ANP),they will
draw OMLT resources away from training the ANA. The GOA
wishes to draw our attention to these potential pressures on
OMLT resources.
MCCALLUM
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A FOR NISHA SINGH, EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2018
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS INCREASE IN AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY
REF: A. CANBERRA 873
B. STATE 93225
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
1. (C/NF) The GOA is broadly supportive of the proposal to
increase the Afghan National Army (ANA),according to Shane
Flanagan, Executive Officer, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and West Asia Section of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Flanagan expressed the appreciation
of the GOA for U.S. leadership in Afghanistan and acknowleged
the goal to strengthen national institutions such as the ANA,
as critical to stabilizing the country. He observed that
Australia is not a member of the Joint Coordination Board
where the vote to increase the ANA will be taken, although
Australia was an observer to a Board meeting held earlier in
Tokyo. He advised that before Australia can consider
participation in the multidonor trust fund, the GOA welcomes
additional information on the management of the fund, as well
as how it will be coordinated with the Combined Security
Transition Command Afghanistan (CSTCA). Post requests
Department guidance on these points.
2. (C/NF) Flanagan advised that Australia will deploy its
Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Oruzgan
Province in November 2008. He reiterated two points from a
NATO briefing on OMLTs held in Canberra on July 9, 2008. The
briefing cautioned that increases in the ANA would
necessitate additional OMLTs, and that to the extent OMLTs
are used to train the Afghan National Police (ANP),they will
draw OMLT resources away from training the ANA. The GOA
wishes to draw our attention to these potential pressures on
OMLT resources.
MCCALLUM