Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL3873
2009-12-03 15:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
FIRST VP FAHIM PRAISES OBAMA STRATEGY
how-toVZCZCXRO6622 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBUL #3873 3371558 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 031558Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3717 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003873
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM AF
SUBJECT: FIRST VP FAHIM PRAISES OBAMA STRATEGY
Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003873
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM AF
SUBJECT: FIRST VP FAHIM PRAISES OBAMA STRATEGY
Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) First Vice President Marshal Fahim Khan praised
President Obama's December 1 strategy announcement during a
December 3 meeting with Coordinating Director for Development
and Economic Affairs, (CDDEA) Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne.
Commenting that "the strategy benefits the United States, but
it benefits Afghans even more," he expressed approval at how
quickly new troops will be deployed and that the United
States will also strengthen its civilian
efforts.
2. (C) Fahim confided that the announcement of a timeframe
was a good "wake up call" to Afghan politicians, who need to
stop "being lazy." The timeline will give Afghans reason to
"work together to make themselves self-sufficient." However,
Fahim also warned that some Afghans have misinterpreted the
strategy and believe all U.S. troops will be removed in 2011.
He urged us to correct this myth among the Afghan public.
3. (C) On development assistance, Fahim commented that all
aid should go through the central government, as "Afghanistan
is a centralized country, and from the center we empower the
provinces." He urged the U.S. to not offer assistance
directly at the provincial or district level, but rather to
help strengthen the central government and its ties to the
rest of the country. Ambassador Wayne explained the US
approach, which includes close cooperation with the Afghan
government.
4. (C) Marshal Fahim conveyed that he intends to use his
security and intelligence background to advise President
Karzai and the Afghan National Security Council on security
issues. (Comment: There are rumors that Karzai is concerned
over Fahim's political clout and is unlikely to give him too
much control over the defense or interior ministries.
However, many contacts have told us that Karzai promised
Fahim that, in exchange for his support, his ethnic allies
(Tajiks, Panjshiris) would enjoy significant representation
in one of these two key security ministries, Interior and
Defense. End Comment.)
.
MUSSOMELI
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM AF
SUBJECT: FIRST VP FAHIM PRAISES OBAMA STRATEGY
Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) First Vice President Marshal Fahim Khan praised
President Obama's December 1 strategy announcement during a
December 3 meeting with Coordinating Director for Development
and Economic Affairs, (CDDEA) Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne.
Commenting that "the strategy benefits the United States, but
it benefits Afghans even more," he expressed approval at how
quickly new troops will be deployed and that the United
States will also strengthen its civilian
efforts.
2. (C) Fahim confided that the announcement of a timeframe
was a good "wake up call" to Afghan politicians, who need to
stop "being lazy." The timeline will give Afghans reason to
"work together to make themselves self-sufficient." However,
Fahim also warned that some Afghans have misinterpreted the
strategy and believe all U.S. troops will be removed in 2011.
He urged us to correct this myth among the Afghan public.
3. (C) On development assistance, Fahim commented that all
aid should go through the central government, as "Afghanistan
is a centralized country, and from the center we empower the
provinces." He urged the U.S. to not offer assistance
directly at the provincial or district level, but rather to
help strengthen the central government and its ties to the
rest of the country. Ambassador Wayne explained the US
approach, which includes close cooperation with the Afghan
government.
4. (C) Marshal Fahim conveyed that he intends to use his
security and intelligence background to advise President
Karzai and the Afghan National Security Council on security
issues. (Comment: There are rumors that Karzai is concerned
over Fahim's political clout and is unlikely to give him too
much control over the defense or interior ministries.
However, many contacts have told us that Karzai promised
Fahim that, in exchange for his support, his ethnic allies
(Tajiks, Panjshiris) would enjoy significant representation
in one of these two key security ministries, Interior and
Defense. End Comment.)
.
MUSSOMELI