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O R 132255Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 4472
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 106380
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPPS OSCE PREL AF
SUBJECT: OSCE JOINT FSC/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT IN
RESPONSE TO LTG JAMES DUTTAN, DEPUTY ISAF COMMANDER
1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the October 14 Joint FSC/Permanent Council meeting in
Vienna.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
On behalf of the United States delegation, I would like to
thank LTG Duttan for his comprehensive report on the status
of ISAF activities in Afghanistan. The U.S. believes
strongly that the International Security Assistance Force,s
(ISAF) efforts to provide security for Afghanistan's citizens
against the Taliban and al-Qaeda also helps defend citizens
in all OSCE participating and Partner States. We also
believe the OSCE has a role in this regard to complement and
support NATO and ISAF activities in Afghanistan.
What we mean by this is that while NATO and ISAF have a firm
hand on providing for hard security in Afghanistan, we
believe the OSCE could provide complementary added value in
tackling some of Afghanistan,s other security issues through
border security, customs, counterterrorism, and other law
enforcement assistance programs, as proposed by the OSCE
Secretariat and the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan.
In 2008, the United States strongly backed the implementation
of OSCE projects 15A and 16, which were aimed at training and
mentoring Afghanistan border and customs personnel in
northern Afghanistan. Unfortunately, as a result of the
objections by one participating State, we have not yet been
able to implement those needed projects.
The United States will continue to support increased efforts
to train, equip, and mentor border security, customs and law
enforcement personnel in Afghanistan. Such efforts can help
strengthen Afghanistan's regional identity within Central
Asia and contribute to enhanced regional cooperation.
Assisting Afghanistan to better secure its borders has the
secondary effect of also bolstering the border security of
European, Eurasian, and the North Atlantic OSCE participating
States, and the provision of border security technical
assistance to Afghanistan is consistent with the OSCE
multidimensional, comprehensive approach to security.
In our view, when coordinated closely with ongoing border
security activities in Afghanistan carried out by the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International
Organization for Migration, as well as bilateral donors, OSCE
border security projects could help improve Afghanistan,s
capacity to:
-- Interdict narcotics;
-- Thwart illegal trafficking of peoples and illicit
goods;
-- Interdict material support for terrorist operations;
-- Coordinate with NATO and other international actors;
and
-- Support the full implementation of UNSCR 1540
regarding the interdiction of possible trans-shipment of
Weapons of Mass Destruction, related materials, or precursors
through Afghanistan.
Attacks perpetrated by al-Qaeda and its violent extremist
affiliates in Great Britain, Spain, the United States,
Russia, and attempted terrorist attacks in Germany have
demonstrated the vulnerability of borders within the OSCE
region. Increased support for improving Afghanistan,s
ability to better police its borders can enhance
Afghanistan,s security, promote regional stability, and also
provide important security benefits to all OSCE participating
States and Partners.
Thank you Madame Chairwoman.
CLINTON