CODEL CARPER STRESSES NEED FOR GREATER AFGHAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001378 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OREP AF SUBJECT: CODEL CARPER STRESSES NEED FOR GREATER AFGHAN LEADERSHIP ON GOVERNANCE AND ADDRESSES CIVILIAN CASUALTIES REF: STATE 53082 Classified By: Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry for Reasons 1.4 (b)(d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Senators Thomas Carper, Mark Udall, Jeanne Shaheen, Kay Hagan, and Mark Begich had a productive visit to Afghanistan that included meetings with President Karzai, the Ministers of Defense and Interior, and a visit to Regional Command-East. The Codel delivered effective USG messages to Karzai and other senior Afghan officials regarding the need for improved governance. They also reiterated the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan's future, a commitment demonstrated daily by the sacrifice of American lives. ¶2. (SBU) The delegation began the day with an interactive discussion with the embassy's civilian-military integrated country team, led by Ambassador Eikenberry and COMISAF McKiernan. The Codel was briefed on the political scene, including Karzai's likely re-election, and its implications for U.S. policy. General McKiernan reviewed the plan for the ongoing 21,000-troop deployment and the effects expected. The Codel was also informed of the intended civilian uplift plans in the field and at the Embassy. Codel members signaled their support upon their return to Washington. MOD WARDAK AND MOI ATMAR HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING AFGHAN SECURITY FORCES ¶3. (SBU) Minister of Defense Wardak provided the group with a tour of the National Military Command Center while explaining that MOD's primary near-term goal was to neutralize the enemy's ability to disrupt August elections. The Codel asked Wardak to share with fellow Afghans the importance the American people place on working with Afghanistan to defeat the enemy and to remind them of the American lives lost. Minister of Interior Atmar provided a tour of the National Police Command Center and outlined his plans to root out police corruption, his top priority. Both Wardak and Atmar stressed that accelerating the expansion of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) was the critical factor in providing Afghanistan with the means to defeat anti-government forces. IDLG: PROMOTING GOVERNANCE OUTSIDE KABUL ¶4. (U) Barna Karimi, Deputy Director of the Independent Directorate for Local Governance, gave the delegation an overview of sub-national governance in Afghanistan and touched briefly on IDLG's most significant programs aimed at promoting governance at the local level. Karimi and the Senators further discussed the challenge of building capacity at the regional and community level at a dinner later that evening. RC-SOUTH: PROGRESS IN A ONE OF AFGHANISTAN'S TOUGHEST AREAS ¶5. (C) RC-South Commander Major General de Kruif and Brigadier General Nicholson briefed the delegation on the expected security and transformational effect of additional U.S. troop deployments. Civilian advisor Sarah Chayes cited improved governance as the key to winning the current struggle in the region; she said Afghans feel exploited by both insurgents and corrupt Afghan officials. In Helmand, State and USAID representatives from the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah briefed the Codel on the daunting challenges in Helmand, while Helmand Governor Mangal described the province's counterterrorism, counternarcotics and anti-corruption efforts. He also called for the training of more ANSF (including a police training center in Helmand.) DINNER PROVIDES CHANCE FOR MEANINGFUL, IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Eikenberry and Ching Eikenberry hosted a dinner to which a range of senior Afghan officials, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and businesspeople were invited. Each senator hosted a table of six for dinner, thereby allowing for more in-depth conversation. Finance Minister Zahkiwahl discussed with Senator Carper the need to increase direct transfers to the Afghan budget and pursue mechanisms such as the National Solidarity Program. Senator Shaheen heard from presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani about allegations of electoral intimidation against his supporters. Public Health Minister Fatimie related to Senator Hagan his efforts to train rural women in midwifery. The Codel clearly benefited from the opportunity to have sustained dialogue with key Afghan leaders with reformist visions. PRESIDENT KARZAI ON AFGHANISTAN'S GREATEST CHALLENGES ¶7. (C) The Codel and Ambassador Eikenberry met with President Karzai on May 23. The President was in a relaxed mood. He began by commending the decision to close Guantanamo, saying KABUL 00001378 002 OF 002 it would be good for the U.S. in the eyes of the international community. ¶8. (C) The delegation asked Karzai about his vision for Afghanistan in five years. Karzai hoped for a country free of terror, and where people would be free from fear of their own intelligence service. He wished for an Afghanistan at peace with its neighbors, and still enjoying a close alliance with the U.S. ¶9. (SBU) Karzai identified three main challenges: 1) the narcotics trade; 2) terrorism; and 3) widespread corruption. Karzai added that civilian casualties (along with night raids and detentions) remained the most difficult issue between our two countries. If the U.S. and Afghanistan could successfully address this difficult, sensitive issue, all else could be managed. OPIUM TRADE AND INSECURITY THREATEN HELMAND ¶10. (C) Regarding the illicit opium trade, Karzai cited Helmand as the primary challenge. Years ago, he noted, areas within Helmand were relatively secure; now, many of these same areas were out of government control. These areas have become safehavens for narco-traffickers and insurgents. SHIA FAMILY LAW ¶11. (SBU) Karzai fielded inquiries on the Shia Family Law, repeating his previous assertions that his staff had not informed him of the details of the law - which has 260 articles and more sub-articles - and he had signed it without reading it. He asserted that no one on his staff or among his advisors, including "experts" like the Minister of Justice and 2nd Vice President Khalili, had been aware of the details. The Minister of Justice was now working with civil society elements to redraft the law for re-submission to parliament. PAKISTAN AND IRAN ¶12. (C) Karzai asserted the U.S. and Afghanistan needed more clarity from Pakistan on its current counterinsurgency strategy. He confirmed his relations with Pakistan President Zardari were strong. Karzai noted he would visit Tehran the following day (May 24) for an Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan presidential trilateral. He said Zardari had encouraged him to attend the upcoming Tehran summit while they were together at the U.S.-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral talks. Karzai claimed he had no idea what the agenda would be aside from a general discussion of regional security, political and economic cooperation. ¶13. (C) Ambassador Eikenberry reiterated U.S. views on the Tehran summit (reftel). He asked Karzai to convey the U.S. perspective that it is not seeking harmful competition in the region and shared common interests regarding a secure, prosperous Afghanistan. Karzai said he would provide a readout of the Tehran visit upon his return. DELEGATION DELIVERS CLEAR MESSAGE ON CIVILIAN CASUALTIES ¶14. (C) The Codel delivered a strong, balanced message on civilian casualties. They noted the U.S. deeply regretted the loss of life in such incidents and was mindful of the problems they created for the Afghan government; however, they added, it was also important for Karzai and other Afghan officials to publicly recognize the sacrifices U.S. troops were making in assisting Afghanistan to bring a brighter future to its people. The delegation also reiterated the long-term commitment to the U.S.-Afghanistan partnership, but stressed the need for the Afghan government to meet its commitments on governance and improved leadership. They asked Karzai how he was going to address the issue of corruption with the Afghan people, an issue that, along with security, heads the list of their concerns and the areas in which they think the government has failed to deliver. COMMENT ¶15. (C) Karzai spoke in broad terms regarding his vision for Afghanistan and how to tackle the issues that plague the country. He has yet to present a detailed political platform for addressing those challenges he cites as threats to Afghanistan's future. We will encourage all high-level visitors to press the President on these details and the need for an action plan that goes beyond platitudes. The Embassy team will continue to do the same. EIKENBERRY