UAE THOUGHTS ON AFGHAN POLICY REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000270 E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019 TAGS: PREL EAID NATO AF PK AE SUBJECT: UAE THOUGHTS ON AFGHAN POLICY REVIEW REFS: A) ABU DHABI 173, B) STATE 14097, C) 08 ABU DHABI 1291 Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The UAE's input to our Afghan/Pakistan policy review is constructive and broadly consistent with current US policy insofar as it calls for: supporting Pakistan; upping reconstruction assistance; urging Pakistan and Afghanistan to work better together; and looking skeptically at Iranian involvement. Where it differs from current policy is in urging a dialogue with the Taliban. In the UAE's view, "ignoring the Taliban as part of a comprehensive solution is not feasible." End summary. ¶2. (SBU) As promised Ref A, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash provided the Ambassador, on March 17, a summary of UAE views on Afghanistan in reply to our request for its perspectives. Following is an informal Embassy translation of the two-page Arabic document provided, which clearly notes the primacy of a stable Pakistan in solving Afghanistan's troubles. ¶3. (C) Begin text of UAE paper entitled "UAE View of the Situation in Afghanistan": The UAE is very concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and hopes the international community can convert Afghanistan into a stable region enjoying peace and security. The UAE believes that peace and security are achievable through the joint efforts of all concerned parties. The UAE looks responsibly [with the eye of responsibility] to the difficult and the inter-twined situation in Afghanistan, and calls for solving the problem through all possible peaceful means with the participation of the primary concerned parties, particularly Pakistan and the Taliban. Pakistan is capable of playing an effective role as a part of the solution, and Pakistani support remains significant in the context of eliminating extremist and terrorist groups and their leaders. The existence of terrorist elements in Pakistani territories worries the UAE, which is aware that Pakistan is facing harsh criticisms for its inability to clearly separate terrorist elements from local Islamic movements which Pakistan can negotiate with. However, the UAE still believes that suitable solutions can be found for this issue. Developing the relationship between Afghanistan and its neighbors, particularly Pakistan, is necessary, and should include building confidence among all parties and overcoming historical interference from the region. It is necessary also to reassure Pakistan that solving the Afghan problem will contribute to stability in Pakistan and will mitigate possible sources of threat and risk to Pakistan. The Taliban movement can also play a role in solving the Afghan problem; as the movement has recently returned to armed activity and proven its abilities in military operations it has gained support from Afghani citizens in the violent areas, causing a negative impact on Afghani national sentiments. Many believe that the Taliban will return to the power. The international community might therefore open dialogue channels with the Taliban and to make it part of a solution. The UAE believes that Iran has key goals in Afghanistan, including: preventing establishment of an ominous government in Afghanistan under Taliban leadership; supporting "Afghani Shia Consciousness"; securing consolidated Afghani borders; and participating in reconstructing the future Afghanistan. Nonetheless, Iran's attitude toward Afghanistan is still fluctuating; Iran is launching political propaganda to support resistance in Afghanistan, although Iran's attitude and policy is against the Taliban and it does not appear ready to support the Taliban or other opposition movements. The UAE, based on the above, calls for changing current methods of dealing with the problem, and calls for solutions by all possible peaceful means and through the following: First: To support stability in Pakistan as one of the significant keys for solving the Afghan problem. Accordingly, the UAE has taken notable steps to support all Pakistani national security and military institutions, and the UAE has worked persistently to find harmony between these institutions and the current civil institutions in Pakistan. Second: To work with the Pakistani government in combating extremism and terrorism by supporting security and military capabilities in Pakistan, in addition to emphasizing its comprehensive development through assistance and economic aid. Third: To strengthen political and civil institutions in Pakistan. The political game in Pakistan should be within the legal political framework, particularly the parliament, and based on the peaceful exchange of power among all civilian political quarters. Fourth: To support harmony between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to find suitable means to create confidence between them, and to distance those things which cause stress and dissension. Fifth: To work on stability of Afghanistan by supporting security and development efforts. Sixth: To build confidence among regional neighbors of Afghanistan, including India. The international community can deal deliberately with all concerned parties to convince them that many of their interests can be achieved by resolving the Afghan problem. Seventh: To convince all warring factions in Afghanistan of the good intentions of the international community toward Afghanistan and that those goals will not be achieved unless they presently stop the dangerous conflicts between them. Eighth: The UAE believes that the infrastructure in Afghanistan needs fundamental reconstruction, and the UAE is making every effort to assist in that reconstruction, particularly essential services such as roads, electricity, water, health facilities and agricultural investments. Ninth: To convince all parties in the international community that play meaningful roles in Afghanistan through effective political and diplomatic efforts in the country's internal and external affairs, because this will help the internal political situation and prevent many unwanted external interventions. Tenth: In light of the Taliban's noticeable return to military activity, the UAE believes that ignoring the Taliban as part of a comprehensive solution is not feasible. Therefore, the UAE suggests opening dialogue with the Taliban in order to reach fundamental solutions to outstanding problems with the Taliban. End text. OLSON