RC-SOUTH BILATERALS, NOVEMBER 13, THE HAGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000998 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EAIR MOPS AF AS CA DA EN NL RO UK SUBJECT: RC-SOUTH BILATERALS, NOVEMBER 13, THE HAGUE Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The day prior to the Regional-Command South (RC-South) Senior Officials Meeting in The Hague on November 14, 2008, DAS Patrick Moon had bilateral meetings with delegations from Australia, Estonia, Romania, United Kingdom, Denmark, and The Netherlands. Because of logistical issues, the Canadian bilateral did not come through. All delegations expressed interest in understanding how Washington,s policy and efforts in Afghanistan will change with the change of administrations next year. There was unanimous support for the RC-South Civilian-Military Cell. The Australians offered to reinforce our requests to Asian countries for support to the Afghan National Army. The Dutch will contribute 10 million Euros to the ANA Trust Fund this year and committed to also contributing an undetermined amount annually. END SUMMARY AUSTRALIA - Anxious but Committed -------------- ¶2. (C) Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade First Assistant Secretary for South and West Asia, Middle East and Africa Division Deborah Stokes stated her government is "anxious but committed to Afghanistan." Australian troop casualties have led their public to question what is going on in Afghanistan, and the Government is conscious of smaller countries pulling out. ¶3. (C) Stokes also expressed concern about Dutch contributions following completion of their mission in 2010. Ministry of Defense Assistant Secretary for International Policy Division Andrew Chandler suggested engaging the Dutch in support of any initiative they would be willing to take on post-2010, such as policing, medical support, training, helicopter support, or Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT). ¶4. (C) Stokes commented that countries not contributing to the fight should be contributors to the ANA Trust Fund. She added that the Australian MFA and MOD are excited about the Regional Command-South Civilian-Military Cell but it seems their Agency for International Development is "less than enthused" with the staffing requirement. Stokes stated that the Australians may be looking at police skill sets for inclusion in their future training commitments but did not provide any details. Stokes confirmed that although the NATO policy on counter-narcotics is gladly accepted by the GOA, their lawyers are reviewing the implications of the changes. ¶5. (C) Chandler was very supportive of airfield improvements at Tarin Kowt and noted the USG would be able to fulfill this need sooner than the Dutch would. Australian Ambassador to The Netherlands Lydia Morton stated that there is a need for a provincial airport for development purposes so there should be no prohibitions on civilian use. ESTONIA - Willing Partner with Limited Resources -------------- --- ¶6. (C) Estonian U/S for Political Affairs Harri Tiido expressed overall support for the mission in Afghanistan but emphasized the GOE,s limited resources. He supported the Regional Command-South Civilian-Military Cell in concept and again underscored the Estonian lack of resources to contribute directly to the cell. To overcome resource contribute directly to the cell. To overcome resource limitations, Tiido opined that the Estonian Charge in Kabul could serve on a steering group and their Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) member working on healthcare in Helmand could also be an advisor to the cell. ¶7. (C) He described the potential for reconciliation to divide the Taliban into different factions thereby deflating their effectiveness. He saw "no reason to talk" with hard core Taliban members as no negotiations would be possible, and they should be "eliminated" as they can not be molded "into any society." Tiido believes others could be assimilated by assisting them in developing marketable skills. He proposed that the successful criminal elements could be "bribed out of business" comparing the situation to other transition economies where unsavory elements have become somewhat respected members of societies by using their monies to invest in legitimate businesses and becoming members of local and national government. Assisting this transition to legitimate positions and businesses is an alternative that both provides investment funds for building local economies and decreases the number of individuals in criminal activities. ROMANIA - Alongside U.S. in Afghanistan -------------- ¶8. (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of the Security Policy Department Daniel Ionita stated that the Romanians were "glad to learn from the U.S." and appreciated being a partner in Afghanistan. Ionita supports the concept of ANA expansion and the trust fund but is concerned about gaps between the ANA and the Afghanistan National Police (ANP) in regards to capabilities and funding. He agreed to carry the request for additional funding and support to higher authorities in Bucharest. The Romanians will also consider the request to increase contributions and trainers, noting that OMLTs require more experienced personnel which will be difficult to resource. Ionita was resolute that any negotiations with the Taliban must be strong and direct. He mused that the EU mission in Afghanistan is a "joke" even though the Romanians are working with EUROPOL. He praised General Petreaus, forecasting that he will do an excellent job. Ionita stated there is "no doubt that Romania is in full support of and alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan." ¶9. (C) Ionita stated that the Civilian-Military Cell's concept is "crystal clear." He relayed that the absence of an Embassy in Afghanistan makes it difficult for Romania to provide a civilian for the Cell. He went on to inquire whether providing a civilian from the Ministry of Defense would be acceptable; the US delegation noted that the Terms of Reference do not preclude this. UNITED KINGDOM - Strategic Involvement -------------- ¶10. (C) Head of Afghan Group in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Matthew Lodge outlined British near term objectives: "better coordination, better communication, successful elections, a successful ANA, and greater allied contributions". The British are "resolute and determined" in their commitment to making the elections a success. Lodge expressed a great deal of interest in the status of the Joint Strategic Assessment Team (JSAT) and the expected changes in the strategy within Afghanistan. He is optimistic that the "Friends of Pakistan" initiative will find firm commitments and the initiative's success will do much to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Lodge stated that strategic communication must remain a priority and provided an issue paper on "Closer Co-operation". Lodge stated that Afghan involvement in all communications is critical to the effectiveness of the strategy, and every effort must be made to having the Government of Afghanistan at the center of the strategy; he went on to welcome General McKiernan prioritizing strategic communications high. THE NETHERLANDS - Focused on Uruzgan -------------- ¶11. (C) Deputy Director General for Political Affairs Robert de Groot reviewed his most recent trip to Afghanistan in late October. He found good progress in both development and October. He found good progress in both development and security programs in Uruzgan. He highly complimented U.S. PRT Officer Derek Hogan as well as the professionalism of General Nichols. De Groot is keenly interested in close coordination on the improvement of the airfield in Uruzgan. The Dutch are prepared to make the improvements so that the airport will stimulate development and serve as a provincial level transportation node. He wants to coordinate with reported U.S. efforts to improve the strip at Tarin Kowt but has not been able to find the primary action officers for the project. Coordination is necessary for the effective use of the limited number of contractors and the long term development and use of the airfield. He is interested in sharing costs, contractors, plans and developing a coordinated approach to the project. Moon encouraged de Groot to engage U.S. military on the ground and Office of the Secretary of Defense officer Cara Negrette offered her office,s assistance if needed. ¶12. (C) The Dutch are in full agreement with the Civilian-Military Cell concept and will, in time, have the personnel in place. De Groot believes that more efficient organization is needed for the elections. He is not as concerned about the actual winner as the integrity of the process. He mentioned the Dutch donation of 5 million euros for elections and 10 million euros to the ANA Trust Fund which he expects to make into an annual contribution of varying amounts. De Groot wants to put pressure on the Afghans "sitting in their offices" to become more effective civil servants. He is concerned that "one wrong governor" could destroy the years of work already accomplished. There has to be a concerted international effort to keep corruption out of the provincial offices. According to de Groot, "for sustainment of Dutch efforts there must be emphasis on good governance and development" leading to "visible improvement" for the general population. DENMARK -------------- ¶13. (C) On the margins of the Regional Command-South meeting on November 14, Moon held a brief bilateral meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of the Security Policy Department Lone Wisborg. Moon relayed the need for additional Police Mentoring Teams and Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams, and assistance with sustainment of the Afghan National Army. Wisborg conveyed concern that an increase in the civilian aspects of Provincial Reconstruction Teams should not entail disparate efforts or policies, instead, we must work harder to coordinate with each other. COMMENTS -------------- ¶14. (C) The overall consensus among RC-S delegations was one of cautious optimism. There is improved infrastructure, slow but steady business development, a sense of hope in the area's citizens and a commitment to the mission by all the partners. ¶15. (U) DAS Moon cleared this cable. CULBERTSON