AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 014097


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM EAID NATO AF PK
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY REVIEW

CLASSIFIED BY: DONALD A. CAMP, ACTING, BY
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: The Administration has begun a
comprehensive review of U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY interests
and strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The aim is to
assess fundamentally our policy goals with a view to
strengthening our approach where necessary to achieve
our goals. We will determine USG policy directions and
requirements in advance of the President's travel to
Europe for the April 3-4 NATO Summit. At your
discretion, Ambassadors should find opportunities to
engage host governments at a senior level to explain the
Administration's plans for this review process and
invite their reactions and suggestions as early as
possible in our review process. End Summary.


2. (C) Background: President Obama has announced his
intention to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation of
U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY policy and strategy towards
Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President has made clear
that he views the international effort in Afghanistan
and Pakistan as a single theater of immense strategic
importance to the SECURITY of the West. We also
recognize that our effort in both countries must focus
on governance and development aspects as well as
security. In those areas especially we look forward to
working closely with our partners. Accordingly, the
President has directed that the NATIONAL SECURITY
Council produce a high-level policy review with input
from all relevant agencies. On February 10, the NSC
convened an initial planning meeting to begin work
immediately. The aim is to assess our fundamental
policy goals and approach towards the serious strategic
challenges confronting us in the region.


3. (C) The President announced this review on February

10. He has asked Bruce Riedel to chair. Special
Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard
Holbrooke and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Michele Flournoy will serve as co-chairs. This review
will be completed well in advance of the April 3-4 North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 60th Anniversary
Summit.


4. (C) The review will draw upon recently-completed
reviews done by the NSC staff, the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, and CENTCOM. It will cover the range of U.S.
policy concerns with regard to the Afghanistan and
Pakistan region, including political/diplomatic
strategy; military issues; development and strategic
resource requirements; as well as issues of internal
governance and legitimacy, regional cooperation and
international strategy and coordination. End
Background.


5. (C) This administration is committed to working with
our allies, partners and friends. We realize that to
get the support of others, we need to listen to and
include their views. We have already agreed to work
with Afghanistan and Pakistan to get their views.


6. (C) Action Request: Ambassador is requested to brief
senior-level host government officials on the U.S.
policy review, and invite appropriate input. In light
of the accelerated timetable outlined above, initial
comments or suggestions from partner countries will be
most helpful if received very soon. In approaching host
governments, Ambassadors should draw on the themes
outlined in paragraph 7.


7. (SBU) Suggested themes for engaging with host
governments:

- President Obama is intent on re-evaluating U.S.
national SECURITY policy and strategy towards
Afghanistan and Pakistan.

- We seek a comprehensive approach addressing our
national goals of stability and SECURITY for that
region.

- We and the international community have expressed our
strong commitment to working with our regional partners
to build peace, stability and economic opportunities to
Afghanistan and Pakistan. We maintain those
commitments.

- The senior-level review process will produce a
comprehensive, interagency reassessment of our approach
to the serious strategic challenges confronting us in
the region.

- The NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL will coordinate the
policy review, which will begin immediately.

- The President has asked that the review be given
highest priority and be put on an accelerated timetable
well in advance of the April 3-4 NATO Summit.

- The review will provide an opportunity to adjust our
strategy in concrete ways to better assist the Afghans
and the Pakistanis to build their governance and
security capacities. The review intends to make sure
that our goals are clear and that we have the resources
to achieve them.

- We look forward to discussing our policy review and
consulting with our allies and friends in the run up to
the April NATO Summit.

- As we proceed with our review we would welcome your
considered views on:

- Goals we should collectively seek with regard to
Afghanistan and Pakistan,
- Priorities we should set,
- Strategies for achieving those priorities,
- Actions that we need to take, and
- Resources we will need.


8. (U) Posts' assistance is greatly appreciated.


CLINTON