AFGHANISTAN TRANSMITS TOR FOR STUDY OF UNAUTHORIZED TRADE

UNCLAS KABUL 003441 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FRONT OFFICE, SCA/A, AND EEB/BTA DEPT PASS USTR FOR DELANEY AND DEANGELIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ECON PREL PK AF SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN TRANSMITS TOR FOR STUDY OF UNAUTHORIZED TRADE STUDY TO PAKISTAN REFS: Kabul 3391 and previous ¶1. (SBU) Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta confirmed to Deputy Ambassador Ricciardone October 26 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had transmitted the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the study of unauthorized trade to the Government of Pakistan earlier that day. Spanta said "the misunderstanding was in my house," referring to the MFA's refusal to transmit the TOR by Oct 22 as promised. The Afghans, and we, hope that this action should enable the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement negotiations to proceed. ¶2. (U) The Ministry of Commerce and Industries transmitted a signed copy of the diplomatic note to Embassy Kabul on October 27. Informal translation from the original Dari follows: No. 1377 Date 04/08/1388 (October 26, 2009) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul and has the honor to inform the Embassy that: The Ministry of Commerce and Industries of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan proposes the dates 10-11 or 17-18 of November 2009 for the fourth round in Kabul of Working Groups of both countries on the Transit Trade Agreement. In addition, please find attached the Terms of Reference (Joint study of illegal trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan) which was drafted by Pakistan. Afghanistan has reviewed it and submitted additional proposed language. We request that you forward this Terms of Reference to the relevant authorities of your country and confirm their participation on the fourth working group meeting to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Complimentary closing To: Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul CC: Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Islamabad End informal translation. EIKENBERRY