USAID REPRESENTATIVE IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF URGES

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000369 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EFIN ECON PGOV PREL MARR MASS AF SW SUBJECT: USAID REPRESENTATIVE IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF URGES SWEDES TO INTEGRATE CIVILIAN ADVISORS AND MILITARY MORE EFFECTIVELY ¶1. (SBU) On May 15-16, Deputy Economic Counselor accompanied USAID Field Program Officer (FPO) from Mazar-i-Sharif to meetings at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Directorate, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). FPO shared the following observations at the close of a two-year tour in Mazar-i-Sharif: - The Swedish government should focus on integrating its civilian advisors with its military more effectively. - The German-led Regional Command North headquarters in Mazar would benefit from a greater civilian presence (only two civilians at present). - Swedish pre-deployment military training should include the civilian advisors with whom the Swedish military will work. - Swedish troop deployments to Mazar should be longer than six months to improve results. (Sweden currently has 350 troops covering four provinces in northern Afghanistan.) Swedish civilians stay in the PRT for a full year. - The Swedish military could win more "hearts and minds" in the local population by having some type of Civilian Military Cooperation (CIMIC) funds at its disposal for small projects with an immediate and visible impact that do not interfere with long-term development. - The Swedish PRT should begin to utilize Afghan expertise where possible. 2.(SBU) FPO also identified the following sectors where SIDA should focus Swedish aid efforts: - Infrastructure - Rule of Law - Access to water and water usage - Groundwater hydro-geological assessments. ¶3. (SBU) The Swedes said they appreciated these comments, but did not provide any substantive replies to these observations. Post will follow up to report Swedish responses septel. WOOD