AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE: SUGGESTIONS FOR CHAIR

UNCLAS STATE 024423

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AF PK UN
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE: SUGGESTIONS FOR CHAIR
STATEMENT LANGUAGE


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.


2. (U) The key deliverable of the March 31 UN Ministerial
Conference on Afghanistan is a Chairman's statement to be
issued under UN SRSG for Afghanistan Kai Eide's name. In
preparing the draft statement, SRSG Eide will consult key
stakeholders including the Dutch, the U.S., the Afghans, and
others at his discretion.


3. (U) Action request: Department requests that Ambassador
deliver the following suggested draft language to the United
Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for proposed
inclusion into the Chairman's statement:

-- On March 31, 2009 the international community met to renew
its support for the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan and its people in building an Afghanistan that is
peaceful, secure, democratic, and free from the threat of
violent extremists who seek to undermine stability and
prosperity in the region and beyond.

-- We reaffirm the role of the United Nations Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) as the principal international
assistance coordinator to ensure coherent and efficient
assistance efforts.

-- We commend the role of the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) in assisting the Afghan Government to
improve the security situation and welcome the ongoing
contributions of all nations providing forces to ISAF.

-- We welcome the Afghanistan and Pakistan Strategic Policy
Review shared by the United States, which incorporates input
from many ISAF partners and allies. (Elements of the review
outcome will be shared as they become available).

-- In the ongoing effort to promote good governance and more
efficient, widespread economic development, we agree that
effective and well-funded civilian assistance programs are as
necessary as additional military forces and training
programs.

-- We pledge to ensure Afghanistan does not deteriorate into
a safe haven for violent extremists who threaten the peace
and security of both the region and the world.

-- Recognizing the inextricable link between peace in
Afghanistan and broader regional stability, we agree to
approach problems shared by Afghanistan and Pakistan -
violent extremism, narcotics trafficking, economic hardship,
and weak governance - in a coordinated, strategically
integrated manner.

-- PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE: Long-term stability can best
be assured through established good governance that is
democratically elected, accountable to the people,
transparent, and able to meet the needs of its citizens. In
furtherance of this goal, we propose to:

-- Support free, safe, and open national and provincial
elections that are acceptable to the Afghan people by meeting
our international commitments to assist the Afghan government
in securing, financing, conducting, and monitoring the
elections;

-- Develop and strengthen Afghanistan's provincial councils
and other local government institutions through technical
assistance programs and civil service training; and

-- Work with Afghan government institutions at both national
and local levels to promote transparency and continue the
fight against corruption.

-- ACCELERATING DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: Sustainable
economic growth and widespread development are critical to
granting local populations a stake in security and
prosperity. To promote and encourage these conditions, we
will:

-- Continue working within the assistance framework
established by the Afghan National Development Strategy to
prioritize and meet the development assistance needs of
Afghanistan; and

-- Boost commercial activity and private investment through
strengthening regional trade and infrastructure linkages and
build private-sector capacity through strategic and
coordinated technical assistance programs.

-- IMPROVING SECURITY: Capable and self-reliant national
military and police forces remain fundamental to achieving a
stable and secure Afghanistan. To reach this goal, we commit
to:

-- Develop increasingly self-reliant Afghan National Security
Forces capable of providing for the safety and security of
the Afghan people and leading the counterinsurgency effort;

-- Build on our common counternarcotics efforts through
increased training and assistance and by integrating
counternarcotics programs into planning for enhanced
governance, development, and security; and

-- Strengthen Afghanistan's borders by working with Afghan
National Security Forces, ISAF, and regional partners.

-- ADDRESSING REGIONAL CHALLENGES: Efforts to bring peace
and security to Afghanistan depend not only on internal
factors, but on a peaceful and secure Pakistan. Taking into
account the broader regional challenges that pose a threat to
stability region across the region, we will:

-- Develop a comprehensive and integrated security strategy
for the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region in conjunction
with those two countries, NATO/ISAF, and other stakeholders;

-- Work with governments across the region to strengthen
cooperation on law enforcement, counternarcotics, and customs
and to improve the security and integrity of national
borders; and

-- Coordinate regional assistance projects and promote trade
and transit to address needs and benefit populations on both
sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and across the
region.

-- The Pakistan Donors Conference and Friends of Democratic
Pakistan Ministerial in Tokyo on April 17 are key
opportunities to demonstrate strong support for Pakistan,
whose partnership is critical to achieving our goals in
Afghanistan.
CLINTON