Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ROME1189
2009-10-28 16:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY SHARES CONCERN OVER AFGHAN GOVERNOR
how-toVZCZCXRO2619 PP RUEHSL DE RUEHRO #1189 3011627 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281627Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2814 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0549 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 0297 RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 3865 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 4078
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001189
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO IT AF
SUBJECT: ITALY SHARES CONCERN OVER AFGHAN GOVERNOR
APPOINTMENTS, HAS CONFIDENCE IN HERAT GOVERNOR
REF: STATE 109882
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor J. Liam Wasley for R
easons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001189
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO IT AF
SUBJECT: ITALY SHARES CONCERN OVER AFGHAN GOVERNOR
APPOINTMENTS, HAS CONFIDENCE IN HERAT GOVERNOR
REF: STATE 109882
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor J. Liam Wasley for R
easons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) POLOFF met with MFA Afghanistan Envoy Sergio Mercuri
on October 27 to deliver Reftel points stressing the
importance of coordinated efforts by PRT lead nations to
ensure that provincial governor appointments remain
qualifications-based and do not become rewards for Karzai
supporters. Mercuri said that Italy shares our concern over
the possibility that Karzai will reward supporters in the
south with gubernatorial positions, and offered Italian
support for a joint effort among coalition Embassies in Kabul
to engage the next Afghan government on the issue of
appointments. He noted Italy's past support for Jelani
Popal's Independent Directorate of Local Governance, which
has done much to improve the appointments process, but
conceded that the current political climate has been
distorted by the electoral impasse and that the high standard
set by the IDLG risks becoming degraded.
2. (C) With regard to Governor Nuristani of Herat, where
Italy has its PRT, Mercuri remarked that he seems stable in
his position, supports the work of the PRT, and is a notable
improvement over his predecessor. Although close to Karzai,
Nuristani has showed independence and initiative since being
appointed Governor in February 2009, and he handled the
August 20 elections in an impartial manner.
Afpak Envoy Iannucci Seals Euro 6.4 Million Microcredit
Agreement with GoIRA
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
3. (SBU) Mercuri said Nuristani met with Italian Afpak Envoy
Massimo Iannucci on October 26 in Herat to strengthen
cooperation in the commercial sector (a follow-on effort to
Nuristani's May 2009 visit to Rome with 30 Herati
entrepreneurs) and to finalize arrangements for a Euro 6.4
million microcredit loan for families and small enterprises
in Herat, Baghdis and Farah Provinces (all in Italy's
Regional Command-West). The loan will be administered by
MISFA (Microfinance Support Facility for Afghanistan),an
independent Afghan agency. Iannucci signed the accord the
following day in Kabul with Finance Minister Zakhilwal.
Mercuri said that MFA was pleased with the speed with which
the Afghan government approved the bilateral agreement
governing the loan, which should be disbursed by the end of
the year -- bringing Italy closer to its Paris pledge target
of Euro 45-50 million per year (Italy has thus far disbursed
Euro 35 million in development aid to Afghanistan in 2009
(septel)).
THORNE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO IT AF
SUBJECT: ITALY SHARES CONCERN OVER AFGHAN GOVERNOR
APPOINTMENTS, HAS CONFIDENCE IN HERAT GOVERNOR
REF: STATE 109882
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor J. Liam Wasley for R
easons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) POLOFF met with MFA Afghanistan Envoy Sergio Mercuri
on October 27 to deliver Reftel points stressing the
importance of coordinated efforts by PRT lead nations to
ensure that provincial governor appointments remain
qualifications-based and do not become rewards for Karzai
supporters. Mercuri said that Italy shares our concern over
the possibility that Karzai will reward supporters in the
south with gubernatorial positions, and offered Italian
support for a joint effort among coalition Embassies in Kabul
to engage the next Afghan government on the issue of
appointments. He noted Italy's past support for Jelani
Popal's Independent Directorate of Local Governance, which
has done much to improve the appointments process, but
conceded that the current political climate has been
distorted by the electoral impasse and that the high standard
set by the IDLG risks becoming degraded.
2. (C) With regard to Governor Nuristani of Herat, where
Italy has its PRT, Mercuri remarked that he seems stable in
his position, supports the work of the PRT, and is a notable
improvement over his predecessor. Although close to Karzai,
Nuristani has showed independence and initiative since being
appointed Governor in February 2009, and he handled the
August 20 elections in an impartial manner.
Afpak Envoy Iannucci Seals Euro 6.4 Million Microcredit
Agreement with GoIRA
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
3. (SBU) Mercuri said Nuristani met with Italian Afpak Envoy
Massimo Iannucci on October 26 in Herat to strengthen
cooperation in the commercial sector (a follow-on effort to
Nuristani's May 2009 visit to Rome with 30 Herati
entrepreneurs) and to finalize arrangements for a Euro 6.4
million microcredit loan for families and small enterprises
in Herat, Baghdis and Farah Provinces (all in Italy's
Regional Command-West). The loan will be administered by
MISFA (Microfinance Support Facility for Afghanistan),an
independent Afghan agency. Iannucci signed the accord the
following day in Kabul with Finance Minister Zakhilwal.
Mercuri said that MFA was pleased with the speed with which
the Afghan government approved the bilateral agreement
governing the loan, which should be disbursed by the end of
the year -- bringing Italy closer to its Paris pledge target
of Euro 45-50 million per year (Italy has thus far disbursed
Euro 35 million in development aid to Afghanistan in 2009
(septel)).
THORNE