AUSTRIA CONSIDERING OFFERING AFGHAN POLICE TRAINING

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000238 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/A (REOTT) AND EUR/RPM (COPE) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIA CONSIDERING OFFERING AFGHAN POLICE TRAINING REF: A. STATE 15623 ¶B. VIENNA 139 Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Polchief discussed reftel A points on the USG Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy review February 25 with Bernhard Zimburg, MFA director for East Asia and the Pacific. Polchief noted that Austrian FM Spindelegger had stated publicly at the GAERC in Brussels February 23 and again in Vienna the following day that Austria might provide training for Afghan police in Austria. In addition, Isabel Rauscher, MFA director for the Americas, raised the possibility of police training at a February 24 meeting with the Charge. Zimburg confirmed that the GOA's ongoing interministerial discussions on Afghanistan (reftel B) were pointing in that direction. He said no final decision had been made, but the most likely outcome was an agreement to offer police training, either in Austria or a third country. Zimburg estimated the GOA would need about another three weeks to identify funding and work out the details. He said he expected that the GOA would provide funding for the full cost of any programs it offers. Zimburg acknowledged that GOA officials were concerned that any high-profile Austrian involvement in Afghanistan could make Austria a target for terrorists, which explains, at least in part, the interest in a training program outside of Afghanistan. ¶2. (C) Zimburg said the GOA appreciates the fact that the USG is seeking input from allies and partners in the strategy review process. He said the GOA will be interested to learn how the new U.S. strategy will expedite the process of "Afghanisizing" the mission by transferring authority to local elements. The GOA supports the idea of sending additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan at this stage. At the same time, a stronger troop presence could lead Afghans to view international forces as occupiers unless it is made clear that the international mission is transitory and aimed at full Afghan control and sovereignty, he said. ¶3. (C) Zimburg said Afghans often complain that the international community has relied too heavily on expatriates who have only recently returned to the country, overlooking more deeply rooted local leaders and organizations. It is essential that the leaders emerging from the upcoming elections take on a greater role in security matters, he said. KILNER