Latvia welcomes results of Afghanistan - Pakistan strategic

UNCLAS RIGA 000179 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS EAID PK AF NATO LG SUBJECT: Latvia welcomes results of Afghanistan - Pakistan strategic review Ref: State 29482 ¶1. We delivered the reftel white paper to the Latvian government on March 27. On March 30, the MFA provided the following reaction to our strategic review: -- We welcome the new US Policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, highlighting the main goals and challenges shared by international community. -- Afghanistan needs one strategy for the whole country; therefore coordinated policy of all the international actors, such as the EU, NATO and the UN, is of utmost importance. We fully support the need for integrated civilian- military approach in coordinating, planning and delivering the assistance. -- Successful development of Afghanistan depends on Afghan people's confidence in their government. It is important to ensure that the elections are credible and that the new Afghan government is in control of political processes and has the support of the Afghan population in the whole country. -- We share the idea that focusing civilian assistance and capacity building on strengthening provincial and local governments would be of help in serving the people and connecting them to their government. -- We fully share the idea and necessity of building up the Afghan Security Forces (ANA and ANP). We welcome the US decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan as it might help to reduce the number of casualties. In the provinces where security permits we see a possibility to put more focus on training in the years to come. -- Situation in Afghanistan should be viewed in a broader regional context. We fully endorse initiatives aimed at strengthening the regional cooperation and continuation of the trilateral US-Pakistan-Afghanistan commitment. -- Latvia remains committed to contribute its share to the joint efforts of international community concentrating on the security, stability and development of Afghanistan. Rogers