SPAIN SUPPORTS NEW SRSG FOR AFGHANISTAN KAI EIDE

UNCLAS MADRID 000342 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/WE FOR ELAINE SAMSON USNATO FOR PETER CHISHOLM, JOHN COCKRELL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SP AF SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS NEW SRSG FOR AFGHANISTAN KAI EIDE REF: SECSTATE 25020 ¶1. Poloff communicated full U.S. support for Norwegian Political Director Kai Eide in his new appointment as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan (reftel). Spanish MFA's Chief of Continental Asia Policy, Pedro Arostegui Llama, reiterated March 14 Spain's stated support in the months leading up to this appointment for a Special Representative who could reinforce the coordination of all international actors, both with each other and with Afghan authorities, and who would be able to count on broad backing from the international community. Spain understood that Eide would fulfill its expectations, and the United States could count on Spanish support for the new SRSG. Arostegui said it was "very probable" Spanish authorities would want to take advantage of the April 2-4 NATO Summit in Bucharest to transmit GOS support in person and to share with the new SRSG Spanish views on the way ahead. ¶2. The Spanish Foreign Ministry also issued a communique March 10 "receiving with satisfaction" Kai Eide's appointment and trusting that his personal and diplomatic qualities would allow him successfully to address the challenges of his new position. The GOS further pledged its full support and collaboration and commended the broad international consensus and Afghan government backing that his nomination had already elicited. Spain hoped this appointment would reinforce the political leadership of the United Nations, the coordination of all international and Afghan actors, and the international community's commitment and focus on stability, reconstruction, and development in Afghanistan. The press statement concludes, "The Government of Spain maintains its firm commitment to an Afghanistan that is secure, stable, democratic, and prosperous, free of the threat of terrorism, and in peace and close cooperation with its neighbors." AGUIRRE