(U) MEETING WITH THE AFGHAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LONDON 001722 NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR S/RAP, SCA/A, AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KPAO SCUL MOPS UK AF SOCI ECON, ETRD, PK SUBJECT: (U) MEETING WITH THE AFGHAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UK REF: LONDON 1692 LONDON 00001722 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C/NF) Summary. During a July 23 introductory meeting with the Charge, Afghanistan's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Homayoun Tandar, expressed concern that British public opinion is not favorable to Britain's engagement in Afghanistan and the international stabilization effort there. Tandar also stated that he was troubled by the attitudes of some UK policy makers toward Afghanistan, citing what he described as defeatist attitudes. He sought the Charge's advice on the most effective way to counter these perceptions. The Charge agreed on the importance of shifting perceptions about Afghanistan and offered Embassy assistance to the Afghan mission in formulating and delivering a positive message about Afghanistan to the British public. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU/NF) Afghanistan's Ambassador to the Court of St. James's, Homayoun Tandar, called on the Charge July 23, accompanied by First Secretary Farid Khan Popal. Tandar, who arrived in London in May and was meeting the Charge for the first time, stated that he was seeking "advice and suggestions" about the most effective ways to engage with HMG and the British public. U.S. Embassy Information Officer and Poloff also attended the meeting. ¶3. (C/NF) Tandar expressed concern that British public opinion is not favorable to the international effort to stabilize Afghanistan and is increasingly opposed to Britain's engagement there. He also observed that some British policy makers held similar views, citing recent comments by outgoing Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister of State Lord Mark Malloch-Brown that Pakistan and Somalia pose a greater terrorist threat to the UK than Afghanistan, (Ref). He wondered whether there was a disconnect between the Ministry of Defence and the FCO, observing that "in Kabul I had an impression there was a difference between the two." Tandar complained about public statements by British military officers expressing doubt about Britain's strategy in Afghanistan. He criticized what he characterized as defeatist attitudes by some in the British government -- attitudes which he said were reported in the press and consequently influenced British public opinion. Tandar commented that real or apparent divisions within the British government could comfort the Taliban. He stated that apparent "proximity" between some within British defense circles and Pakistan's military institutions might interfere with the formulation of British policy. ¶4. (C/NF) Tandar said that British officials, including at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO),do not consider Afghanistan as an "independent element" or a "regional actor." He said that he sought to convey to British officials that there is a "link between Afghanistan and Central Asia." He complained that Britain and other European countries tended to lump Afghanistan among South Asian countries when, in fact, it is an integral part of South Central Asia. Tandar opined that the UK private sector has shown "no interest" in Afghanistan. ¶5. (C/NF) The Charge affirmed that the U.S. remains fully engaged in Afghanistan and seeks to make a positive difference there that is sustainable over time; the U.S. has an "engagement strategy," not an "exit strategy" for Afghanistan. The Charge agreed that favorably influencing British public opinion should be a top priority, and that there should be urgent efforts to effectively counter growing negative public perceptions about Afghanistan. The narrative of coverage about the Taliban needs to change, to focus on the fact that the Taliban can be defeated, he said. The Charge offered Embassy assistance to the Afghan mission in formulating and delivering a positive message about Afghanistan. The Charge said that the Embassy's Public Affairs Section would explore ways to work with the Afghan Embassy to more effectively convey a positive message in the British media. In regard to Pakistan, the Charge noted that the HMG's goal is to influence events so that Britain would be spared from terrorist attacks originating in Pakistan. ¶6. (C/NF) Comment: Tandar speaks broken, heavily accented English. Despite the Charge's suggestion that Tandar might prefer to express himself in French, a language he speaks fluently, Tandar struggled throughout the meeting to communicate in English. Unless his spoken English improves substantially, this could prove a barrier to effective communication with HMG counterparts or with radio and LONDON 00001722 002 OF 002 television interviewers. Embassy London will nonetheless work with Tandar's public affairs team to suggest media outreach strategies for the Afghan Embassy. Information Officer, who attended the meeting, will coordinate with POL on strategies. End Comment. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom LeBaron