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