SRSG KAI EIDE BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000941

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC AF
SUBJECT: SRSG KAI EIDE BRIEFS THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON
AFGHANISTAN


1. (U) Summary: SRSG and head of the UN Assistance Mission to
Afghanistan (UNAMA) Kai Eide briefed the Security Council on
October 14, leading off a nearly four-hour meeting on
Afghanistan. Eide cautioned against "doom and gloom"
statements and said there were promising trends in the
conflict. He also said that the UN,s relationship with ISAF
was better than it was a half-year ago. Eide,s caution
against overly negative statements was strongly supported by
the U.S. and allies in the Council. Generally, countries
gave nuanced views of the situation in Afghanistan -
deploring violence and expressing concern regarding civilian
casualties, but noting as well recent positive trends and the
need to stay the course. Many also emphasized good
governance and development as equally important as security.
In his concluding remarks to the Council, Eide said he
welcomed the broad consensus to support UNAMA and to redouble
commitments to assist Afghanistan. He noted that Council
members had voted to give UNAMA a generous mandate, but that
the General Assembly was more reluctant to give UNAMA equally
generous resources. End summary.

SRSG EIDE,S INTERVENTION


2. (U) Eide began by saying that because of the deteriorating
security situation, the international community has been
"distracted from the commitments undertaken in Paris." He
cautioned against "doom and gloom" statements, and said there
were three areas of positive trends: an improved relationship
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, recent changes in the
Afghanistan government, and a decrease in the overall
production of drugs. Eide also noted that UNAMA,s
relationship with ISAF was better than it was half a year
ago. He underscored the importance of a "clear and
independent United Nations voice" on human rights issues, and
added that civil-military cooperation has led to an
"integrated approach under civilian lead." Regarding the
notion of an integrated and comprehensive approach, Eide
warned against allocating civilian resources only in conflict
provinces and in support of military operations. Success of
the Afghanistan National Development Strategy requires a
"balanced and equitable distribution of resources," said Eide.


3. (U) Eide listed eight tasks achievable within six months
for UNAMA and the international community: 1) to agree with
donors on specific criteria to measure aid effectiveness; 2)
to establish a database to allow the Afghan government and
the UN to track resources, whether spent through PRTs,
development agencies or NGOs; 3) to set up a mechanism for
joint audits; 4) to strengthen Government institutions
against corruption; 5) to agree on a plan for "what kind of
police we want"; 6) to implement the Afghanistan Social
Outreach Programme; 7) to develop a design for agricultural
reform; and 8) to solidify the Afghanistan/Pakistan
relationship in a wider, confidence-building regional
framework. He concluded by welcoming the Council,s broad
consensus to support UNAMA and to redouble commitments to
assist Afghanistan. He pointedly noted that Council members
had voted to give UNAMA a generous mandate, but that the
General Assembly was more reluctant to give UNAMA equally
generous resources.

COUNCIL MEMBERS REACT


4. (U) Council members reiterated similar themes: concern
regarding the security situation and civilian casualties, and
broad support for Eide and UNAMA. Italy emphasized the
importance of the Pakistan/Afghanistan relationship, and
noted it would likely seek a Ministerial on this issue when
it assumes the G8 Presidency next year. Belgium, Indonesia,
the UK, France and others emphasized the importance of
development and good governance as key pillars along with
security. The U.S. and France also reiterated their
unwavering commitment to Afghanistan, and agreed with Eide,s
caution against "gloom and doom" statements. Russia
cautioned against any reconciliation with high-level
extremists, and urged ISAF to focus more on counter-narcotics
efforts. China emphasized upcoming elections, and along with
Libya urged greater focus on national reconciliation.

AFGHANISTAN, ISAF CONTRIBUTORS, NEIGHBORS REACT


5. (U) Afghanistan PermRep Zahir Tanin forcefully agreed with
Eide,s admonition against overly negative statements. He
also supported Eide,s idea of a "political surge" to refocus
attention on political/civilian efforts. Japan, the
Netherlands, Germany and Norway emphasized the importance of
following up on commitments made at the Paris Conference, and
underscored their countries, continued involvement in
Afghanistan. Pakistan gave an extended intervention
defending its internal actions to combat extremists, and

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accused the UN of a "myopic" view of the cross-border issue.
The Pakistan government is following a "holistic strategy
against extremism and terrorism, employing political dialogue
and socio-economic measures, but retaining the option to use
force..." Iran and India implicitly criticized Pakistan,s
decision to use political dialogues. Iran stated "the recent
increase in insecurity in Afghanistan well suggests that the
attempts made to appease some extremist and terrorist groups
by certain countries have been counterproductive and have
only emboldened them."

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES


6. (SBU) All countries expressed concern regarding civilian
casualties, although most also noted that these came largely
because of asymmetric attacks by the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Russia, South Africa and Indonesia were less vocal on this
issue than during the negotiations extending the mandate of
ISAF, and called for respect of international humanitarian
and human rights law. Libya was harshest in its criticism of
ISAF, while the Afghanistan PermRep said blame should be on
the Taliban, not ISAF. India expressed its concern regarding
efforts to accord terrorists "parity with the forces of
order." Furthermore, India said civilian casualties were
distressing, but that "ultimate responsibility for such
casualties must be laid at the door of the Taliban, al-Qaida,
and those who support and empower them." (Comment: India's
statement was filled with similar indirect references to
Pakistan. End comment)
Wolff