DFM BORODAVKIN DISCUSSES AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 001587 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OREP CH PK TX RS AF SUBJECT: DFM BORODAVKIN DISCUSSES AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN AND CHINA WITH CONGRESSMAN ROHRABACHER ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a May 31 meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Borodavkin was pleased Congressman Rohrabacher valued Russian cooperation in Afghanistan, but explained that Russia was disappointed in the response received so far to its offers of assistance. Borodavkin and Rohrabacher agreed on the need to eradicate the Afghan drug trade that financed extremists, and discussed a potential project to rehabilitate a Soviet-constructed aqueduct system as a means to provide an agricultural alternative to growing poppies. Borodavkin expressed concern over attempts to integrate the Taliban into local governments, arguing that this simply concealed the re-Talibanization of Afghanistan. He cautioned against placing too much confidence in the ability of the new Pakistani government to deal with extremists and reiterated Russian concern that authorities maintain control of the nation's nuclear weapons. Borodavkin disagreed with Rohrabacher's assessment of the threat China presented to Russia and said that the GOR sought closer ties with both China and the U.S. Borodavkin questioned Turkmenistan's capacity to provide gas for the proposed Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline and expressed irritation at pipelines intended to avoid Russian territory at "any cost." End summary. Afghanistan -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a May 31 meeting with Congressman Rohrabacher and the Charge, DFM Borodavkin stated that Russia was willing to share with the U.S. and NATO its considerable experience in Afghanistan, presenting an opportunity for Russia-U.S. cooperation. Borodavkin said, however, that the GOR was not always "satisfied" with the response given to its offers of assistance, particularly its proposal for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to cooperate with NATO. He also cited NATO allies supplying Afghanistan with unlicensed, Russian-designed weapons as an irritant for Moscow. Borodavkin stressed, however, that the GOR placed such importance upon stabilizing Afghanistan that it hoped to continue assistance efforts already undertaken. He cited the GOR's willingness to forgive Afghanistan's $10 billion Soviet era debt, the provision of Russian military assistance worth $200 million in 2002-5, $30 million provided for humanitarian aid, and an upcoming $4 million donation to the World Bank trust fund for Afghan healthcare and education. ¶3. (SBU) Rohrabacher explained that he supported increased U.S.-Russia cooperation on Afghanistan, and explained that he and other Members of Congress were examining the prospect of obtaining U.S. funding for rehabilitating Soviet-constructed aqueducts in Afghanistan, which were necessary to expand non-poppy agricultural production. Rohrabacher suggested that the GOR lend its technical experience to help restore this crucial irrigation system. This project could help draw Afghans away from the poppy trade and demonstrate to the world that Russians and Americans were involved in "reconstruction, not destruction." Borodavkin said that the GOR would study the idea of a joint project to restore the aqueduct system, while noting that Russian firms were already involved in a handful of Afghan infrastructure projects. Concern for security was, however, the greatest hindrance to further Russian activity. ¶4. (SBU) Borodavkin said that the GOR did not share Rohrabacher's favorable assessment of developments in Afghanistan, and reiterated Russian concern over local governments "merging" with the Taliban in an attempt to co-opt Talib supporters. Borodavkin argued that this simply "concealed" the Taliban's return to power and more closely connected local governments with the narcotics traffickers financing Afghan insurgents. Rohrabacher told Borodavkin of the plan he advocated to have the Afghan government and NATO combat poppy growing by "making deals" with local Afghan leaders who would agree to oversee a halt in poppy production in exchange for rebuilding local infrastructure. If, after several years, the local leaders had failed, or were not willing, to halt poppy production, all poppy fields would be eradicated. Borodavkin said the pressure felt by Afghan farmers to grow cost-efficient poppies over less lucrative crops required applying "law enforcement measures" as well as offering economic incentives. The GOR hoped the June 12 Paris Donors Conference would present an opportunity to convince the Afghan authorities to be "more resolute" in their anti-Taliban activities. Pakistan -------------- MOSCOW 00001587 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Borodavkin cautioned Rohrabacher against being too optimistic about the change in government in Pakistan, explaining that the GOR saw the new Pakistani government's efforts to appease extremists in the tribal areas as an "unfavorable development" that could hinder anti-Taliban efforts in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Borodavkin stressed Russia's concern that the Pakistani government retain control of the country's nuclear weapons. He said that while Russia was not a "great supporter" of Musharraf's government, when a totalitarian regime is removed a period of instability often follows. China -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Rohrabacher explained that international stability required closer U.S.-Russia cooperation, particularly given Chinese ambitions. Borodavkin responded that Russia did not seek closer ties with the U.S. as an antidote to China, but benefited from closer ties with both countries. He assured Rohrabacher that Russia continued to develop economically and would not fall behind the emergent China depicted by the Congressman. Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In response to Rohrabacher's question about the proposed Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline that would carry gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India, Borodavkin said in principle the GOR supported such efforts if the economic need existed and the countries involved had the means to provide the required resources. He doubted, however, that Turkmenistan had the capacity to send gas through the proposed pipeline while also meeting existing obligations to provide gas to Russian companies. Borodavkin also expressed Russia's pique over pipelines devised to avoid Russian territory at "any cost." ¶8. (U) Congressman Rohrabacher did not have an opportunity to clear this cable. RUSSELL