FEBRUARY 16 CIV-MIL ROC DRILL IN DOHA: PURPOSE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000216 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ECON NATO AF SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 16 CIV-MIL ROC DRILL IN DOHA: PURPOSE AND PARTICIPATION ¶1. (U) This is an action request; please see para 10. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In preparation for the February 16 CENTCOM/SRAP/ISAF/Embassy Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) civ-mil planning exercise in Doha, post has consulted extensively with ISAF over format, content, participation, and logistics. Post and ISAF have reached consensus on many aspects of conference - e.g. the need for a more strategic-level view than originally formulated, with more time for discussion; and the value of senior Afghan and U.S. agency participation. We invite SRAP guidance. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) As post understands, the purpose of the Feb 15-16 conference is to present a comprehensive outlook of USG activities and strategy in Afghanistan, both geographically and over time through December 2010, in order to share information, ensure actions are complementary and identify and resolve issues and gaps. Day 1 (Feb 15) will be a dress rehearsal for the Day 2 (Feb 16) main event. We have anticipated that the topic leads will be Embassy or ISAF subject matter experts who present the activities planned in country. To maximize benefits from the presentation and discussion, preparation materials such as presentation slides, speakers, notes, and additional information papers will be consolidated and provided to senior participants prior to the conference. Format: Two six-month rounds over 19 substantive areas -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Post has agreed with ISAF jointly to recommend that the format of the conference should consist of two six-month iterations (vice four three-month turns). Longer segments offer an opportunity to think more strategically and should allow for more discussion. We have also agreed with ISAF on nineteen lines of effort as topics for presentation and are awaiting formal response from CENTCOM and SRAP: Situation Update, Military Deployments, Non-US Military Deployments, Civilian Deployments, ANSF Force Generation, Communication, Major Military Operations, CT Operations, ANSF Development/Employment, Reintegration, Governance, Sub-National Governance, Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law, Threat Finance, Economic Development, Agriculture, Counter-Narcotics and Borders. We understand that SRAP and CENTCOM also are in agreement with this framework. Participation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Participation in the event is pending final confirmation but will include senior representatives and subject matter experts from SRAP, CENTCOM, ISAF, and Embassy Kabul. Post, together with ISAF, recommends that attendees include selected GIRoA ministers and key international observers. The Ambassador and COMISAF will finalize a proposed list over the next several days, together with suggestions for invitation timing and procedures. Post and ISAF further recommend that the Kabul-based NATO Senior Civilian Representative (Italy,s Amb. Gentilini) and the Deputy Commander from JFC Brunssum (British AVM Harper) should be invited. UNAMA has expressed interest in attending, and while Post encourages their participation, more discussion is needed to ensure invitations are extended to the right persons. ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Eikenberry and GEN McChrystal are expected to finalize a joint recommendation on GIRoA invitees by January 24. Including key ISAF/NATO partners reinforces President Obama's strategic vision for transferring responsibility to the Afghans and building long-term relationships in Afghanistan across the international community. The following heads of ministerial "clusters" are under consideration: MOD (Minister Wardak),MOF (Minister Zakhilwal),MAIL (Minister Rahimi). Others include: MOI (Minister Atmar),NDS (Director General Saleh),IDLG (Director General Popal),Reconciliation and Reintegration (Minister Stanekzai),FM Rassoul, and a ROL representative. Post is also considering whether to invite MRRD Minister Mansoori and/or Minister of Education Wardak. ¶7. (SBU) As President Karzai may be uncomfortable with having almost all of his most important ministers absent from Kabul at the same time, we are willing to accept specific deputy ministers on a case-by-case basis. Post also recommends arranging for the Ministers to attend the day of the conference only, arriving in the morning and returning to Kabul the same evening, and/or having those who do not travel to Doha watch the conference on SVTC along with senior Kabul staff. We recommend not engaging President Karzai on the KABUL 00000216 002 OF 002 Doha Conference or extending invitations to Afghan officials until after the London Conference given his overfull agenda. Logistics -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Logistical factors surrounding the conference require attention now. CENTCOM is arranging lodging and meals for conference attendees at Al Udeid Air Base and ensuring access to the facility and specific conference rooms. ISAF is coordinating military air from Kabul to Al Udeid Air Base. The Embassy has the lead on coordinating visas for all civilian and non-DOD attendees from Afghanistan. Visas are necessary for non-U.S. citizens and difficult to obtain on short notice, and will likely require a diplomatic note (and possibly other assistance from Embassy Doha; we will follow up directly with Doha). Visas for Afghans will be particularly difficult, especially if the attendance list is not confirmed until after the London Conference. CENTCOM has not indicated a restriction on the number of people to attend, but reinforced that lodging is limited and the briefing room seats only 90 personnel. Post anticipates requiring 20 seats in the main briefing room, not including Afghan or international observers. Additional attendees will observe from an overflow room via video-teleconference. Therefore, a final list of SRAP and other attendees would be appreciated as soon as available. We expect that SVTC links to Washington will be available, limiting the need for travel by Washington-based staff without speaking roles. ¶9. (SBU) The conference will be conducted in the time-honored military "Rehearsal of Concept"(ROC) drill format. An initial scenesetter will describe the current state of play. Then, each of the topic leads will provide an approximately five-minute description of the activities planned during the timeframe Feb 16 - Jun 30, followed by a discussion period. The leads will repeat the process for Jul 1 - Dec 31, followed by a second discussion period. The rehearsal concludes with an endstate overview describing the projected state of play in December 2010. A wrap-up/final comments section by principals completes the conference. Notes will be captured throughout the conference on a synchronization matrix. Washington Agency Participation -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests Department solicit senior policy level representation from the interagency. Senior representation from the following agencies would allow valuable coordination for the Mission: USAID, DEA, FBI, USDA, Treasury, DOJ, and NSC. In view of the limited seating in the conference room, participants and attendees from SRAP and other civilian agencies would be appreciated soonest. ISAF and CENTCOM advise that seats in the conference room will be limited to senior representatives and subject matter briefers. EIKENBERRY