FM KOUCHNER REITERATES FRENCH COMMITMENT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001352 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM MOPS MARR FR AF SUBJECT: FM KOUCHNER REITERATES FRENCH COMMITMENT TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT, STRESSES NEED FOR BILATERAL COORDINATION REF: PARIS 637 Classified By: Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry for Reasons 1.4 (b)(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Ambassador met with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Pierre Lallouche, France's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Ambassador Jean d'Amecourt May 14 to discuss increased military and civilian engagement in Afghanistan, elections and bilateral coordination on Afghan issues. Kouchner and Lallouche confirmed President Sarkozy wants to increase France's security and civilian engagement in Afghanistan, but stressed the challenge of maintaining the necessary POLITICAL will in the face of popular opposition. Eighty percent of the French public oppose French military engagement here. Kouchner said credible Afghan elections would be vital to shoring up support for France's expanded role in Afghanistan. Kouchner and Lallouche also discussed their plans to visit Kapisa Province where French Task Force Tiger, currently under the command of U.S. Task Force Warrior, is preparing to assume control of military security and operations for the province. While the French are looking forward to taking the lead for military operations in the area, they have declined to lead Kapisa's Provincial Reconstruction Team, as it would spark controversy domestically. However, Kouchner was supportive of close RELATIONS between the U.S.-led PRT and French Task Force. This would ensure continued coordination while allowing the French to maintain a low POLITICAL profile. End Summary CREDIBLE ELECTIONS CRITICAL FOR CONTINUED FRENCH SUPPORT ¶2. (C) Kouchner said the credibility of Afghan elections was a critical factor in maintaining already shaky French support for engagement. It was important the Afghans run a "very clean election" and Karzai's choice of Marshall Fahim as his running mate did not bode well. He and Lallouche had raised level playing field issues with both President Karzai and opposition candidate Abdullah, offering to provide financial experts to assist in developing campaign funding rules. They also raised the need for equal access to media and criticized Karzai's role in delaying implementation of the media law. Kouchner described Karzai as a "wily character out to win at any cost." ¶3. (C) Kouchner noted the French public increasingly saw Karzai as ineffective and corrupt. Kouchner and Lallouche confirmed President Sarkozy was firmly committed to increasing France's military and civilian presence in Afghanistan, but they also stressed repeatedly how difficult it was to maintain the necessary POLITICAL support of French parliamentarians in the face of popular disapproval. 80 percent of the French people opposed France's military engagement in Afghanistan, although many were supportive of French humanitarian efforts. INTEREST IN U.S. PROPOSAL IN POTENTIAL KARZAI "CHIEF OF STAFF" ¶4. (C) Karzai told Kouchner and Lallouche the U.S. was pressuring him to establish a Palace chief of staff-like position to improve coordination and accountability between the Executive and the ministries, as well as among ministries. Kouchner welcomed the idea and asked about the U.S. view on potential candidates for the position. Ambassador Eikenberry assured Kouchner and Lallouche that, if Karzai decided to pursue the idea, it would be Karzai's decision entirely. DEEPENING SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS ¶5. (C) Kouchner and Lallouche confirmed France was enthusiastic about plans to expand its security and development role in Kapisa Province. French forces will assume control of the battle space in Kapisa when U.S. Task Force Warrior rotates out in September. Lallouche, however, restated France's position that they could not assume leadership for PRT Kapisa; it was not politically feasible. France would increase its civilian presence in the area to promote expanded development cooperation with Afghanistan and the international community. Both men complimented the U.S. leadership of PRT Kapisa and noted French and Americans forces enjoyed excellent cooperation. ¶6. (C) Lallouche said that examining the issue of the increased civilian presence was one of the reasons for their visit. France has identified 20-25 million euros for agricultural development in the Kapisa area. France hoped to team up with the UAE on some energy projects as well. The French found the provincial governor to be cooperative and KABUL 00001352 002 OF 002 felt his status as a former Hizb-e Islami member enabled him to be more effective. NEED FOR CLOSER BILATERAL "PARTNERSHIP" WITH U.S. ¶7. (C) "We want to be players here, but the U.S. needs to let us in as true partners or I can't sell it in Paris," stressed Lallouche. If France was looped out of policy, the French government's willingness to publicly support an unpopular foreign policy initiative would weaken. ¶8. (C) Lallouche supported the U.S. surge of military and civilian forces this year, but, along with the sharp U.S. increase in assistance, this risked "re-Americanizing" the effort in Afghanistan. He maintained it was also important to retain the international character of the security and assistance missions in Afghanistan. Ambassador Eikenberry assured Lallouche and Kouchner the U.S. was committed to such a partnership and a transparent consultative process. KOUCHNER AND LALLOUCHE VISIT KAPISA TO DISCUSS U.S.-FRENCH COOPERATION AND FRENCH ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL ¶9. (C) On May 15, Kouchner, Lallouche, d'Amecourt traveled to Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier in Kapisa where the French Task Force Tiger has served as TF Warrior's principal combat force. Close cooperation between the two elements has resulted in counterinsurgency successes over the past ten months. Kouchner reiterated the message he conveyed to Ambassador Eikenberry; France was eager to increase its participation in Afghanistan, to the extent that POLITICAL considerations allowed. The group discussed issues related to French plans to establish a brigade headquarters o/a November 1. The French will become the owner of the battle space for Kapisa Province and adjoining Sarobi District, taking the lead on military operations. ¶10. (C) Kouchner welcomed the U.S. commitment to continue operation PRT Kapisa, as France is not currently in a position to take on PRT leadership. Kouchner supported TF Warrior's recommendation that U.S.-led PRT Kapisa would work closely with the French command once they assume military control of the area. Lallouche added that the French were hiring three civilians as the first step in taking an expanded role in governance and development. FRENCH PLANS TO DEPLOY GENDARMES TO TRAIN AND MENTOR AFGHAN POLICE ¶11. (C) General Gilles, accompanying the French delegation, outlined the plan for using gendarmerie, in coordination with Italy and Germany, to train and mentor the Afghanistan Civil Order Police (ANCOP). France plans a phased deployment of 150 French gendarmes to support this effort. The first gendarmes will begin training in the next couple of months, with field deployments taking place in Kapisa by October or November. EIKENBERRY