Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MOSCOW2711
2009-11-02 14:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIA PONDERING NEXT STEPS IN AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO6296 RR RUEHDBU DE RUEHMO #2711 3061456 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 021456Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5264 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA PONDERING NEXT STEPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Susan M. Elliott for reason
s: 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA PONDERING NEXT STEPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Susan M. Elliott for reason
s: 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) Summary: EMBASSY Moscow discussed Russia's
Afghanistan policy with Vitaly Rugalyov of the MFA Afghan
Desk in the Second Asia Department. He indicated that Russia
remained committed to building a stable Afghanistan, although
much depended on the new government and the U.S. strategy
that will be announced soon.
2. (C) Rugalyov indicated that Russia was planning to release
a joint statement with the U.K. on Afghanistan during Foreign
Minister Miliband's visit to Moscow. The statement will
express their mutual hope for national reconciliation in
Afghanistan and their concern for the current security
situation. After a new government is formed, Russia will
likely support a British-German proposal for a conference on
Afghanistan.
3. (C) On the issue of possible infrastructure projects in
Afghanistan, Rugalyov stated that Russia was waiting for the
formation of the new Afghan government to determine next
steps. He again affirmed Russia's interest in participating
in infrastructure projects such as the Salang Tunnel and said
that many options for cooperation between the U.S. and Russia
exist in this area. Rugalyov noted Russia's preference for
commercial contracts over Russian funding for such projects.
He claimed that it would also be premature to speculate on
new projects without knowing the new U.S. strategy for
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Rugalyov indicated that Russia's Ministry of Interior
has concluded a bilateral agreement with the Afghan Ministry
of Interior to train 225 police officers in Russian
universities in 2010. The police officers will attend
one-year programs with the option of studying longer. He
speculated that the number of students could be increased if
there was sufficient interest on the Afghan side. He noted
that a Ministry of Education program offering 80 Afghans
scholarships to study in Russia rarely reached the maximum
number of students allowed each year.
Beyrle
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA PONDERING NEXT STEPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Susan M. Elliott for reason
s: 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) Summary: EMBASSY Moscow discussed Russia's
Afghanistan policy with Vitaly Rugalyov of the MFA Afghan
Desk in the Second Asia Department. He indicated that Russia
remained committed to building a stable Afghanistan, although
much depended on the new government and the U.S. strategy
that will be announced soon.
2. (C) Rugalyov indicated that Russia was planning to release
a joint statement with the U.K. on Afghanistan during Foreign
Minister Miliband's visit to Moscow. The statement will
express their mutual hope for national reconciliation in
Afghanistan and their concern for the current security
situation. After a new government is formed, Russia will
likely support a British-German proposal for a conference on
Afghanistan.
3. (C) On the issue of possible infrastructure projects in
Afghanistan, Rugalyov stated that Russia was waiting for the
formation of the new Afghan government to determine next
steps. He again affirmed Russia's interest in participating
in infrastructure projects such as the Salang Tunnel and said
that many options for cooperation between the U.S. and Russia
exist in this area. Rugalyov noted Russia's preference for
commercial contracts over Russian funding for such projects.
He claimed that it would also be premature to speculate on
new projects without knowing the new U.S. strategy for
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Rugalyov indicated that Russia's Ministry of Interior
has concluded a bilateral agreement with the Afghan Ministry
of Interior to train 225 police officers in Russian
universities in 2010. The police officers will attend
one-year programs with the option of studying longer. He
speculated that the number of students could be increased if
there was sufficient interest on the Afghan side. He noted
that a Ministry of Education program offering 80 Afghans
scholarships to study in Russia rarely reached the maximum
number of students allowed each year.
Beyrle