(C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON RUSSIA'S AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 071041 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2034 TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL AF RS SUBJECT: (C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON RUSSIA'S AFGHANISTAN POLICYMAKERS (C-RE9-01504) REF: MOSCOW 001525 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATED REFTEL ON RUSSIAN MFA OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN RUSSIA'S POLICIES TOWARD AFGHANISTAN. ANALYSTS IN PARTICULAR APPRECIATED POST'S ASSESSMENTS OF MFA OFFICIALS' LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT IN FORMULATING MOSCOW'S AFGHANISTAN POLICY AND MFA OFFICIALS' ATTITUDES TOWARD COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES. FURTHER, POST'S JUDGMENTS ON THE RELATIONSHIPS AND INFLUENCE OF THESE ACTORS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE OFFICIALS. ANALYSTS WOULD WELCOME ANY ADDITIONAL REPORTING ON MOSCOW'S AFGHANISTAN POLICY OR KEY DECISIONMAKERS AS TIME, RESOURCES, AND CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT. MANY THANS, AND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON. CLINTON