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 SIPDIS STATE FRO SCA/FO, SCA/A, IO STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR WOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CENTCOM FOR CG CJTF-101 POLAD 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 KABUL 00001314 002 OF 002 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