BELGIUM AGREES WITH IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001511 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, S/SRAP AND NEA/A E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO BE AF SUBJECT: BELGIUM AGREES WITH IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATION ON CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNORS REF: STATE 109882 Classified By: A/DCM Lange Schermerhorn, reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points on the importance of coordination among allies of criteria for appointment of Afghan provincial governors and expressions of concern about their performance to the Afghan government to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Security Affairs, Francois De Kerchove, and to the MFA's Afghanistan Desk Officer, Alain Hanssen. Both De Kerchove and Hanssen said that the issue of the performance and appointment of provincial governors is not one that significantly troubles the GOB, because its involvement is as a junior partner in one PRT led by the Germans in Kunduz. Belgian involvement with the provincial leadership in Kunduz is therefore limited. However, they both were aware of the concerns of the governments whose PRT's are encountering difficulties with governors in the South of Afghanistan. ¶2. (C) De Kerchove and Hanssen both agreed that it is important that the Allies coordinate their approach to the Afghan government on the issue in advance. Hanssen said he would pass the points to the officer in charge of the Belgian office in Kabul, and encourage his participation in the formulation of an action plan for engaging the Afghan government. ¶3. (U) Hanssen mentioned that the Belgian government has recently announced a new contribution to the Asia Foundation to support a program to support and encourage good government by governors in Bamian and Kunduz. GUTMAN .