Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10KABUL24
2010-01-04 09:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
MINISTER SPANTA OFFERS TO DISCUSS HUMAN
how-toVZCZCXRO0056 OO RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBUL #0024 0040934 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 040934Z JAN 10 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4452 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000024
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KDEM AF
SUBJECT: MINISTER SPANTA OFFERS TO DISCUSS HUMAN
TRAFFICKING WITH FRONTLINE
Classified By: D/AMB Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000024
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KDEM AF
SUBJECT: MINISTER SPANTA OFFERS TO DISCUSS HUMAN
TRAFFICKING WITH FRONTLINE
Classified By: D/AMB Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On December 30, Charge d'Affaires Ricciardone briefed
Foreign Minister Spanta on Frontline's upcoming program
investigating "bacha bazi" in Afghanistan. Charge
Ricciardone told FM Spanta that the program, which will air
on January 19, would draw increased world attention and
criticism to the practice of men purchasing and exploiting
young boys. The Charge reiterated the importance of the U.S.
and Afghanistan doing more to combat human trafficking,
including the sale of young boys for sexual exploitation, in
Afghanistan.
2. (C) Charge Ricciardone suggested the Afghan government
follow up the publication of the 2008 anti-trafficking law by
launching a public awareness campaign to warn at-risk
populations of the dangers of trafficking, and to warn
potential traffickers of the consequences. Ricciardone
reinforced that the U.S. hopes to see more use of the
anti-trafficking law, including increased prosecutions,
convictions, and imprisonment of people who engage in
trafficking.
3. (C) Minister Spanta responded by offering to speak with
Frontline on behalf of the Afghan government. We believe
this would be both a way to inject the Afghan government's
perspective into the news report and a useful opportunity to
get a senior government official to publicly commit to
working to end this abuse. The Embassy will work with SCA/A
to facilitate a meeting or other communication between
Frontline and FM Spanta as appropriate.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KDEM AF
SUBJECT: MINISTER SPANTA OFFERS TO DISCUSS HUMAN
TRAFFICKING WITH FRONTLINE
Classified By: D/AMB Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On December 30, Charge d'Affaires Ricciardone briefed
Foreign Minister Spanta on Frontline's upcoming program
investigating "bacha bazi" in Afghanistan. Charge
Ricciardone told FM Spanta that the program, which will air
on January 19, would draw increased world attention and
criticism to the practice of men purchasing and exploiting
young boys. The Charge reiterated the importance of the U.S.
and Afghanistan doing more to combat human trafficking,
including the sale of young boys for sexual exploitation, in
Afghanistan.
2. (C) Charge Ricciardone suggested the Afghan government
follow up the publication of the 2008 anti-trafficking law by
launching a public awareness campaign to warn at-risk
populations of the dangers of trafficking, and to warn
potential traffickers of the consequences. Ricciardone
reinforced that the U.S. hopes to see more use of the
anti-trafficking law, including increased prosecutions,
convictions, and imprisonment of people who engage in
trafficking.
3. (C) Minister Spanta responded by offering to speak with
Frontline on behalf of the Afghan government. We believe
this would be both a way to inject the Afghan government's
perspective into the news report and a useful opportunity to
get a senior government official to publicly commit to
working to end this abuse. The Embassy will work with SCA/A
to facilitate a meeting or other communication between
Frontline and FM Spanta as appropriate.
RICCIARDONE