AUSTRALIAN MESSAGES TO KARZAI WILL MIRROR THOSE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001016

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN MESSAGES TO KARZAI WILL MIRROR THOSE OF
U.S.

REF: STATE 118297

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Edgard D. Kagan for reasons 1.4(b)(d)


1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Australia agrees with the U.S. approach
to engaging Afghanistan. Australia is already in the process
of finalizing its own message, which is very similar to that
laid out in the referenced cable. Pushing for merit-based
appointments is a particular concern. Australian officials
were grateful to be informed of U.S. position and would
welcome any future coordination with the U.S. on Afghan
policy. END SUMMARY.

Focus is the Key
--------------


2. (C/NF) Australia supports the U.S. position on engaging
the Karzai government in the wake of recent elections.
Afghanistan Section Director Paul Noonan of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had learned through the
Australian Embassy in Washington that a demarche on the
American position was on the way and his office was eagerly
awaiting it. Noonan was enthusiastic about the focused
approach of U.S. policy. He agreed that targeting five or
six important messages, rather than giving Afghanistan a
laundry list of problems, was the best way to pressure the
Afghan government to make meaningful changes.

Support for U.S. Message, Finalizing Their Own
--------------


3. (C/NF) According to Noonan, Australia is currently in the
process of finalizing its own main messages to the Afghan
government, but officials are eager to coordinate with the
United States. Australia's talking points, which Noonan said
are very similar to the U.S. ones, have been drafted and are
currently awaiting approval at the ministerial level. The
one significant difference was that Australian points do not
include a call for Afghanistan to begin taking responsibility
for security on a district-by-district basis. Noonan
acknowledged that the policy made sense, but said that this
proposal had not yet been discussed enough within the
government for a position to emerge.


4. (C/NF) Australia supports clear benchmarks set for the
progress of the Karzai government on certain issues. Noonan
believes that some of these should include merit-based
appointments, narcotics, and women's rights. While these
issues are complicated and will not be solved soon, Australia
believes that Karzai should at least be making an effort to
address them if he is to continue to have international
support.

Worries Over Oruzgan Governor Appointment
--------------


6. (C/NF) The issue of appointments is especially important
to Australia. Noonan worries that Karzai may choose to
replace the governor of Oruzgan province, where most of the
Australian forces deployed in Afghanistan are serving. While
the current governor is "not brilliant," the Australian
government believes that he is about the best that could be
hoped for. The major worry for Australia is that Karzai
would appoint someone with a more checkered history. This
could have a negative impact on Australian public support for
the war. Afghanistan faces a key moment when Karzai begins
to announce his appointments, and Noonan believes it is
important that he send a positive message with those choices.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered this message to Karzai
during a recent phone conversation.


5. (C/NF) COMMENT: Australia is eager to work with the
Q5. (C/NF) COMMENT: Australia is eager to work with the
United States to formulate their message to the Afghan
government. Australian officials place great importance on
communication with the United States and being "in the loop"
when it comes to U.S. policy. Australia shares our concerns
about the Karzai government and will support U.S. efforts to
address them. END COMMENT.

CLUNE