UNGA: U.S. CO-SPONSORED RESOLUTION ON AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001050

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ADDED WEB LINKS PARA 1 , 2 , 3

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV KPKO UNGA AF
SUBJECT: UNGA: U.S. CO-SPONSORED RESOLUTION ON AFGHANISTAN
SUPPORTING ELECTIONS AND SECURITY ADOPTED BY CONSENSUS

USUN NEW Y 00001050 001.2 OF 004



1. (U) SUMMARY: The General Assembly met in plenary to
discuss the Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on
the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for
international peace and security. A draft resolution,
co-sponsored by the United States and over 90 countries,
passed by consensus. The resolution praises Afghanistan for
holding elections and underscored the fight against extremism
and the need to improve the security situation. The U.S.
statement affirmed its support for the newly elected
government and underscored the damaging role of the Taliban,
Al Qaida, and other extremist groups. Delegations widely
condemned the recent attacks in Kabul and called for measures
to enhance security, often connecting development efforts
with peace-building. Afghanistan joined the chorus in
praising the recent elections, while pointing out the flaws
with the process, and placed the election at the forefront of
efforts to improve the rule of law and create stability. E.U.
countries led calls for greater protection against civilian
casualties, with most pointing out that the majority of
events are caused not by international forces, but by the
Taliban. Many expressed support for UNAMA's mission with
several countries including Norway and Indonesia advocating
for an expanded budget and mandate. Russia and a host of
others emphasized the urgency of combating the flow of drugs.
In addition to the United States, the following countries
delivered interventions: Germany , Afghanistan, Sweden
(E.U.),Norway, the Russian Federation, Pakistan, Uzbekistan,
Poland, Turkey, Kuwait, Canada, New Zealand, Iran, Italy,
India, Slovakia, Republic of Korea, Libya, the United
Kingdom, Indonesia, Australia, and France. The press release
for the debate can be found
at:http://www.un.org/news/press/docs/2009/ga1 0884.doc.htm


2. (U) RESOLUTION CO-SPONSORED BY UNITED STATES ADOPTED BY
CONSENSUS: The U.S. and over 90 other countries co-sponsored
draft resolution A/64/L.8, which was adopted by consensus at
the close of the session. The resolution expresses concern at
the security situation in Afghanistan, underscores the fight
against terrorist and extremist groups, calls for increased
and improved civilian-military relations, and praises the
country for holding national elections. Full text of the
draft resolution can be found
at:http://daccess-dds-ny-un.org/doc/undoc/LTD /n09/593/89/pdf/no959389.p
df?OpenELment


3. (U) UNITED STATES AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR NEW GOVERNMENT:
Ambassador Erdman delivered the U.S. intervention,
recognizing the continuing efforts of the Afghan government
and security forces in addressing the "challenges in
security, governance, human rights, and the rule of law." It
stressed that "violent attacks by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and
other extremist and criminal groups undermine efforts to
bring stability, security and a representative government to
Afghanistan." The U.S. promised to "support the new
government" in delivering better "security, governance,
justice and economic progress to the Afghan people." Full
text of the U.S. statement can be accessed at:
http://usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/200 9/131690.htm


4. (U) DELEGATES COMMENT ON ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES, ISAF,
AND PRT'S: Pakistan affirmed the importance of its "security
and intelligence cooperation, including through the
Tripartite Commission, which also includes the United States
and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This
cooperation is essential to cement our gains in the campaign
against terrorism and extremism." Pakistan stressed the
importance of preventing cross-border movements, highlighting
its efforts to create 1000 border posts with Afghanistan.
Pakistan also stressed the need for the GOA and ISAF to
step-up border protection measures on the Afghan-side of the
border. Poland noted the importance of creating effective
civil-military cooperation, pointing to its contribution of
30 civilian personnel working with the US-led PRT in Ghazni
as a noteworthy effort. New Zealand said that it welcomes
"ISAF Commander, General McChrystal's renewed focus on
training and mentoring" and affirmed that "empowering Afghan
forces to lead on security in Afghanistan is a key commitment
for the international community." Iran commented that the
"military operations by foreign forces is yet another concern
preoccupying the people of Afghanistan." Iran suggested
"instead of dispatching more troops to the country, the
Afghan National Army and Police should be strengthened in an
expeditious manner." Italy reaffirmed its unwavering
commitment to its troop contribution and in fighting
terrorism and the cultivation of narcotic drugs. Australia
noted its plans to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan from
1,100 to around 1,550 as well as providing funding of $US200
million over five years to the Afghan National Army Trust
Fund. Numerous countries stressed the importance of PRT's and
highlighted their own contributions to the teams, the
Republic of Korea citing its recently announced plans to
launch a PRT and noting its support of a Korean medical and
vocational training team co-located with the U.S. PRT in
Bagram.


5. (U) AFGHANISTAN NOTES IMPROVEMENTS, BLASTS THE TALIBAN,

USUN NEW Y 00001050 002.2 OF 004


AND CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION: Afghan Permanent Representative
Ambassador Zahir Tanin claimed that the situation has
improved, pointing out that "eight years ago, we were
debating how to build what did not exist: a government, an
army and police force, and a functioning economic and social
life." Tanin said that the emphasis is now on building an
"effective government, a well-trained army and police, and a
productive economy." He took a hard line on extremist
elements, explaining that "we missed the chance to wipe out
the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other terrorists." Later, the
Ambassador claimed that "our aim is not to kill every Taliban
fighter," but instead to isolate them and to "earn the trust
of the people, and encourage the engagement of Afghan
civilians in the peace and reconciliation process." In the
spirit of reconciliation, Afghanistan will "welcome any
Afghan who is willing to join the peace process and respect
the Afghan Constitution." Tanin called the elections "as
free as possible, as fair as possible, and as transparent as
possible" given that they took place in an "emerging
democracy threatened by conflict." Tanin said that in moving
forward, Afghanistan will "create and maintain two compacts:
one with the Afghan people, and one with the international
community." He stated that the domestic compact will
emphasize good governance, economic development, and the rule
of law, while the compact with the international community
will emphasize "our shared commitment to pursue security,
development and good governance."


6. (U) KABUL ATTACKED CONDEMNED: Nearly every country
immediately condemned the recent bombing of a UN facility in
Kabul. In reference to the event, Poland reflected a
sentiment expressed by many delegations, stating that it
"reiterates its determination to combat all forms of
terrorism and strongly condemns all acts of terror,
especially directed against those who work towards the
country's stability and security." Kuwait "decries the
increase in targeting United Nations missions, since this
leads to an increase in the number of victims among civilian
Afghanis." France expressed support for the families of the
victims and to the Afghans who had been "sorely tested" in
this situation. Sweden affirmed that the "E.U. salutes half a
century of UN commitment to Afghanistan and hopes that it
will be possible, following its security review, for the UN
presence there to return to full strength."


7. (U) ELECTIONS PRAISED DESPITE FLAWS: Sweden reaffirmed
that the "European Union has supported these elections, and
the Afghan institutions responsible for conducting them,
throughout the process and will continue to do so" and noted
that they "stand ready to assist Afghanistan to review and
improve the electoral system." Poland said "participation in
the election by young people as well as the public engagement
in the election campaign, provide us with grounds for
cautious optimism" but also noted that it deplores "the
numerous electoral irregularities and fraud." Turkey praised
the fact that Afghanistan has now been through two elections,
noting that "each election experience undoubtedly constitutes
a step in strengthening democracy." India commended the
"determination of the Afghan people who participated in this
historic election process, notwithstanding threats and
intimidation by the Taliban." New Zealand welcomed "the
respect shown by all parties for the electoral complaints
process," and said "attention must now be focused on securing
a safe and secure future for Afghanistan. To this end we call
on President Karzai to move swiftly to form a new, inclusive,
credible and effective Government."


8. (U) E.U. DELEGATIONS STRESS PREVENTION OF CIVILIAN
CASUALTIES: Germany clearly defined the debate on civilian
casualties, noting that "on the one hand, the resolution
clearly stresses the fact that the Taliban, al-Qaida and
other extremist and criminal groups are responsible for the
wide majority of civilian casualties" while "on the other
hand, the resolution calls on the security forces to continue
its intensified efforts aimed at ensuring the protection of
civilians." Germany mentioned that it may be necessary to
review the tactics used by security forces in this regard.
Sweden said that the priority of the E.U. is to ensure that a
stable security environment allows the development agenda to
move forward and in this regard that "everything possible
should be done to avoid civilian casualties." Poland
expressed that it "deeply regrets any civilian casualty" and
added "the Taliban and other anti-Government elements are
responsible for almost three-fourths of civilian deaths."
Poland said protection of the Afghan population is "the
central and essential element of the international presence
in Afghanistan." Libya stated there must be programs to
ensure the security of Afghan civilians and expressed concern
that the report of the Secretary General does not mention
detention centers and a determination as to whether human
rights are being upheld there. The United Kingdom commented
that "any civilian life lost is a tragedy" and contrasted its

USUN NEW Y 00001050 003.2 OF 004


efforts at protecting lives to that of the Taliban, which it
claimed is responsible for most civilian deaths.



9. (U) THE TALIBAN: INDIA SAYS NO TO "GOOD" AND "BAD"
DICHOTOMIES: The Russian Federation stated that the
isolation of extremist groups should remain a priority for
Afghanistan and the international community. Pakistan
declared that "the core of violence and conflict in
Afghanistan emanate from terrorist groups, foreign militants
such as Al-Qaeda, and militant Taliban who are not prepared
to reconcile." India said that it is time to "go beyond
unworkable divisions between 'good' and 'bad' Taliban" and
said that "terrorism cannot be compartmentalized," adding
"Faustian bargains with terrorists often result in such
forces turning on the very powers that sustained them in the
past."


10. (U) RUSSIA AND OTHERS STRESS URGENCY OF CURTALING THE
DRUG TRADE: Russia contended that efforts to control the
trafficking of drugs in Afghanistan have thus far been
ineffective and called for intensifying international efforts
to stem the flow of the drug trade including creating tighter
controls to monitor money laundering. Russia referenced the
"Channel Operation," a recent operation involving 139,000
officials in Afghanistan that led to 26,000 criminal cases,
as one successful endeavor in the long fight to combat
trafficking. Pakistan claimed that the insecurity of the
country is "exploited by criminals and drug traffickers" and
"is the greatest factor impeding progress in Afghanistan."
Uzbekistan pointed out the links between the drug trade and
the financing of militants and noted that the narcotics issue
underscores that the situation in Afghanistan cannot be fixed
via military means alone. Kuwait claimed that "the strong
ties that exist between the drug trade and the terrorist
activities of the extremist group pose a serious threat to
security, the rule of law and the development of the
country." Iran holds that combating drug trafficking
"requires a long-term and multi-faceted strategy" and urged
the international community to do more.


11. (U) SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE RULE OF LAW: Many
delegations focused on the promotion of security,
development, and the rule of law. Turkey stated that a
comprehensive approach to Afghanistan must account for
linkages between "security, governance, rule of law, human
rights and social and economic development." It stressed the
need for the "Afghan military and police to take the lead and
ownership of national security." Pakistan stressed that
"peace and economic development in Afghanistan can be brought
only by a stable government enjoying the majority support of
Afghan people." Pakistan underscored that the "key to
long-term stability in Afghanistan is capacity building of
Afghanistan's security institutions: the Afghan National
Army, the Afghan National Police, and the relevant
Ministries." Slovakia stressed the importance of addressing
key humanitarian and health concerns, mentioning the fact
that the country remains amongst the four countries with the
worst success rates in eradicating polio, and lauding its
work with UNICEF in providing vaccinations to 250,000
children there. Indonesia placed some of the development
burden on Afghanis, stating that "every Afghan has to embrace
development and embrace a new Afghanistan." Sweden
acknowledged the "key role of Pakistan for stability in the
region." Germany emphasized fight corruption as a key to
achieving good governance and creating "an enabling legal and
political environment for stability." Germany hopes that the
resolution will encourage "the implementation of Afghan-led
reintegration, reconciliation and transitional justice
processes."


12. (U) SUPPORT FOR UNAMA: Norway noted that the "key role
played by UNAMA in Afghanistan is reflected in the
significant increase in the mission's budget for 2010" and
stressed that "only with a sufficient level of predictable
funding will UNAMA be able to implement its mandate
effectively. We should not expect more from the UN than we
are willing to invest in it." Indonesia called for an
expansion of UNAMA's capabilities, resources, and
country-wide presence. Canada called upon "the international
community to unite behind UNAMA and give it the necessary
tools to continue its work in Afghanistan" and stressed that
UNAMA must play a major coordination and outreach role "in
the more difficult areas of the country." The United Kingdom
affirmed its support of UNAMA and the difficult work they do
in a challenging operational environment.


13. (U) REFUGEE SITUATION HIGHLIGHTED BY PAKISTAN AND IRAN:
Pakistan bemoaned the long-term refugee situation, noting
that it has "housed over three million Afghan refugees for
the last three decades" and underscoring the "enormous
social, economic and security costs already paid by the

USUN NEW Y 00001050 004.2 OF 004


people of Pakistan." Pakistan "remains committed to the
voluntary, gradual, safe and dignified return of all Afghan
refugees." Iran noted that it has "extended its hospitality
to over three million Afghan nationals throughout the past
three decades" and that there remain one million registered
and one million unregistered refugees in Iran.
Wolff