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
.