SRSG EIDE'S MAY 19-21 MEETINGS IN TEHRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001314

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2018
TAGS: PREL IR AF
SUBJECT: SRSG EIDE'S MAY 19-21 MEETINGS IN TEHRAN


Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: During UN Special Representative Kai Eide's
mid-May visit to Tehran, senior Iranian government
interlocutors denied supporting Afghan insurgents and
reiterated their opposition to reconciliation with the
Taliban. Ahmadinejad's main concerns are establishment of
a timetable for the withdrawal of coalition forces and an
effective strategy to curtail Afghan narcotics cultivation
and trafficking. He said Iran may be able to help
Afghanistan through its food crisis. He promised a
constructive Iranian contribution to the Paris conference.
He complained about the continued presence in Iran of one
million Afghan refugees and another one million illegal
migrants. He affirmed his support for UNAMA and its
enhanced role in Afghanistan's stabilization.


2. (SBU) In addition to Ahmadinejad, Eide met with
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Jalili,
Foreign Minister Mottaki, Drug-Control Secretary General
Ahmadi Moghaddam, Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe
Safari, Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia Hosseini and
Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs Director
General Ghaemi.

Ahmadinejad
--------------


3. (C) Ahmadinejad reportedly returned early from a trip
outside Tehran to meet with Eide, a point several Iranians
repeated as part their charm offensive with the SRSG. The
Iranian president affirmed his support for UNAMA's mission,
the Karzai government and Afghanistan's stabilization. He
argued regional cooperation is key to achieving the last.
He and his senior officials advocated the establishment of
a timetable for the exit of foreign troops from
Afghanistan; they said foreign interventions there have
never succeeded. Eide responded that virtually no one
inside Afghanistan wanted foreign forces to leave.
Ahmadinejad implied the international community should
consult more with the Afghan people. He seeks an effective
strategy to curtail narcotics trafficking and cultivation.
Without offering details, Ahmadinejad said Iran may be able
to assist Afghanistan through its current food crisis. He
promised Iran's constructive contribution to the Paris
conference.

Iran Supports UNAMA and IRoA Capacity-Building
-------------- -


4. (C) Eide's Iranian interlocutors registered their
support for an enhanced UNAMA role in Afghanistan. Several
said the UNAMA should lead all international efforts in
Afghanistan; however, Foreign Minister Mottaki doubted the
UN's ability to assume additional responsibilities.
Ahmadinejad offered to detail Iranian diplomats to UNAMA.
The Iranians urged UNAMA's focus on building Afghan
government capacity so it can quickly take over management
of the country's affairs. Secretary General Moghaddam
offered to train Afghan police. Deputy Foreign Minister
Safari advocated a well-trained and -equipped Afghan army
of 120,000 troops.

Coalition Forces Presence and Reconciliation
--------------


5. (C) The Iranians requested clarification of foreign
troops' goals. They are suspicious of a perceived British
willingness to negotiate with the Taliban in Helmand. They
warned reconciliation could lead to political concessions
to the Taliban that would undermine the IRoA and demoralize
the ANSF; however, they agreed with Eide that military
action would not be sufficient to restore stability to
Afghanistan. They denied allegations that Iran is
transferring weapons to the Taliban.

Narcotics
--------------


6. (SBU) The Iranians registered concern about Afghan

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narcotics production and trafficking, which, they said, is
contributing to the addiction of over 1.2 million of their
citizens. Moghaddam claimed Iran spends USD 600
million/year on counter-narcotics efforts and seized 900
tons of opium last year. He is hopeful about the
Triangular Initiative, which seeks to coordinate Iranian
counter-narcotics policies with those of Afghanistan and
Pakistan; however, he has reservations about the IRoA's
ability to implement its undertakings. The Iranians want
coalition forces to take on narcotics-control
responsibilities.

WOOD