DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SUGGESTED LIST OF EQUIPMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002497 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL AF RS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SUGGESTED LIST OF EQUIPMENT FOR AFGHAN MILITARY/LAW ENFORCEMENT REF: STATE 099598 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Susan M. Elliott for reason s: 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Moscow delivered the reftel suggested equipment list to Vitaly Rugalyov of the MFA Afghan Desk in the Second Asia Department. Rugalyov said that he would disseminate the list to the appropriate offices in the MFA and the MOD. He indicated that, in order to give the list fair consideration, it would be useful to include suggested amounts. He also informed us that RussiQwas already planning to donate 50 AK-47s with bullets to the Afghan National Police. Although he recognized the key role of the U.S. in Afghanistan, Rugalyov indicated that the Russians would like a delegation from the Afghan MOD and other appropriate Afghan agencies to visit Moscow and make donation requests on their own behalf. ¶2. (C) Rugalyov stated that Russia looked forward to continued cooperation in Afghanistan, particuarly in the area of economic development. He said that Russia was ready to provide information on the Salang Tunnel. Rugalyov commented that Moscow would welcome international donor financing for this project, rather than financing through the Russian Cooperation Agency. Rugalyov also provided an update on activities at the Domodedovo Training Facility, noting that 20 Afghans are currently participating in courses. ¶3. (C) Rugalyov closed by sharing Russia's concerns that a second round of elections in Afghanistan could be destabilizing and ultimately support the Taliban more than the democratic process. Rubin