

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09OTTAWA429, PARLIAMENTARY REPORT NOTES INCREASING VIOLENCE,
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09OTTAWA429.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09OTTAWA429 | 2009-06-05 12:12 | 2011-04-28 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Ottawa |
VZCZCXRO1590
PP RUEHDBU RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHIK RUEHMT RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHQU RUEHVC
RUEHYG
DE RUEHOT #0429/01 1561222
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051222Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9506
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0268
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0859
RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000429
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/A AND WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS EAID AF CA
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENTARY REPORT NOTES INCREASING VIOLENCE,
BETTER TROOPS, UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT IN KANDAHAR
REF: A. OTTAWA 179
¶B. 08 OTTAWA 1496
¶C. 08 OTTAWA 373
¶1. (SBU) Summary. The government's fourth quarterly report
to Parliament on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan cited
improvements in Canadian and Afghan combat effectiveness in
Kandahar, but noted that progress on key development
benchmarks had faced challenges from growing insurgent
violence. All Canadian air assets destined for Kandahar are
in place. Training and mentoring of police and corrections
officers is starting to pay dividends, and the situation
should improve as the U.S. deploys more troops and
development experts to the region. The government reported
incremental progress on Canada's "signature projects," having
built five more schools, completed the scoping of the Dahla
Dam project, vaccinated hundreds of thousands more children,
and supported the registration of additional Kandahari voters
during the quarter. The report elicited remarkably little
parliamentary, media or public interest in Ottawa. End
summary.
¶2. (U) The Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, chaired by
International Trade Minister Stockwell Day, on June 3
delivered to Parliament the fourth quarterly benchmark
assessment of the Canadian mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan
(ref a reported on the third report), covering the period
January - March, 2009. The report cited sustained but uneven
progress on Canada's six priority benchmarks, despite an
increase in insurgent attacks and IED placements in Kandahar
compared to the same three months of 2008. The report
emphasized that Canada's capacity-building effort continued
to face challenges from assassinations of government
officials and other prominent leaders, as well as declines in
the percentage of Kandaharis who felt "safe" (29 pct, an
all-time low) and who supported the Afghan government during
the quarter (down from 81 pct in September to 74 pct in
March). The report highlighted improving "rule of law" as a
central element of Canada's mission.
¶3. (U) Despite these negative security developments,
according to the report, the combat effectiveness and force
protection of the Canadian forces improved during the quarter
when Canadian air assets, including Chinook medium-to-heavy
lift and Griffon attack helicopters as well as unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs), reached full operational capability.
The report welcomed the new U.S. Administration's strategic
review and its decision to commit additional armed forces and
diplomatic and aid personnel to Kandahar, stressing the need
for Canada and the U.S. to collaborate closely across each
country's interagency.
Benchmark 1 -- Security
¶4. (U) The Canadian Security Goal for Kandahar is to enable
the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to sustain a more
secure environment and maintain law and order. Canadian
military and police engagement focuses on ensuring that, by
2011, the army (ANA) and the police (ANP) will be able to
conduct operations and secure key districts of Kandahar with
limited support from ISAF allies.
¶5. (U) During the quarter, there was no further progress on
Afghan forces reaching the highest capability milestone -
fully capable of near-autonomous operations -- (brigade
headquarters and one "kandak") although four other kandaks of
the 205 ANA reached the second highest capability milestone.
According to the report, "ANA units mentored by Canadians
QAccording to the report, "ANA units mentored by Canadians
displayed increasing capacity to plan and conduct independent
operations, but they usually partner with Canadian or other
international forces." It also noted that Brigade commander
skills had improved significantly and, for the first time,
ANA battalions were able to field artillery, logistics and
engineering capabilities.
¶6. (U) The report cited modest, but important progress with
the ANP. Canada contributed C$20 million to fund over 3,000
police and corrections officer salaries for two years, and 25
Canadian civilian police officers began mentoring 230 ANP
members who had just completed police training under the
U.S.-led Focused District Development (FDD) program. The
Canadians also enrolled 250 ANP members in a basic reading
skills course developed for the largely illiterate ranks of
the ANP, and Canadian trainers and mentors from Corrections
Canada began developing courses for mid-level prison
OTTAWA 00000429 002 OF 003
administrative and resource managers.
Benchmark 2 -- Basic Services
¶7. (U) The Canadian Basic Services Goal for Kandahar is to
strengthen Afghan institutional capacity to deliver core
services and promote economic growth, enhancing the
confidence of Kandaharis in their government.
¶8. (U) The report highlighted Canadian success in building
two additional schools, taking the total from three to five
built in the past 12 months, and continued construction of
another 25. This Canadian "signature project" is on track to
build, expand or repair 50 schools in Kandahar by 2011.
Additionally, 11,000 Kandaharis (including almost 9,000
women) completed a 10-month literacy course, and 470 adults
completed vocational training.
¶9. (U) The report featured progress made on another
signature project, the rehabilitation of the Dahla Dam and
irrigation system. Crews opened a new bridge needed to carry
dam-building machinery, and neared completion of a new access
road. In February two Canadian firms conducted an "inception
mission" to map the work site, prepared a security plan, and
consulted with community leaders in Kandahar and Kabul.
Canada expects the C$50 million project to create up to
10,000 seasonal jobs throughout the local economy by 2011,
although no new jobs were created in this winter period
(unlike fall 2008, when 142 new jobs were created).
Benchmark 3 -- Humanitarian Assistance
¶10. (U) The Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Goal is to
provide assistance for vulnerable people, including refugees,
returnees, and internally displaced persons.
¶11. (U) The report focused on progress in the effort to
eradicate polio in Kandahar by the end of 2009 under the
auspices of the World Health Program, Canada's third
signature project. Canada vaccinated 375,000 children in
January and another 350,000 in March (some may have needed
more than one vaccination). Despite considerable progress in
this area, five new polio cases (three in Kandahar) -- but
down from 17 cases nationwide in fall 2008. The new cases
were most likely due to the inability of health workers to
visit insecure locations in the province and/or to migration
of persons from nearby Pakistan, where polio is of growing
concern.
¶12. (U) There was little progress on land mine clearance,
despite its importance; only an additional 0.44 square
kilometers was released to communities during the quarter
(compared to 180 square kilometers between March 2007 and
March 2008).
Benchmark 4 -- Border
¶13. (U) The Canadian Border Goal is to enhance border
security by facilitating a bilateral dialogue between Afghan
and Pakistani Authorities.
¶14. (U) After a year of delays, Canada facilitated a meeting
of senior Afghan and Pakistan officials at the fifth round of
the Dubai Process, where the two delegations adopted an
action plan to improve shared border security. The plan
contains specific steps and timelines for practical action to
improve cooperation at the border on customs, migration,
narcotics smuggling, and law enforcement. Canadian officials
also completed a major feasibility study for a modern border
facility at the Weish-Chaman crossing near Spin Boldak.
Canada and the U.S. are now discussing ways to share the
costs associated with the project, according to the report.
Benchmark 5 -- National Institutions
QBenchmark 5 -- National Institutions
¶15. (U) The Canadian National Institutions Goal is to help
advance Afghanistan's capacity for democratic governance by
contributing to effective, accountable public institutions
and electoral processes.
¶16. (U) Canada contributed C$35 million partially to
underwrite the conduct of Afghan elections through 2011, and
supported the largely successful ANSF effort in Kandahar to
ensure secure voter registration in advance of the August 20
national elections. The report noted an additional 1.2
OTTAWA 00000429 003 OF 003
million registered voters nationwide during the quarter, for
a total of 4.4 million new registration during the entire
update of the voter registry (including 300,000 Kandaharis).
The report admitted that there may have been some
double-counting, along with allegations of fraud and other
irregularities.
Benchmark 6 -- Political Reconciliation
¶17. (U) The Political Reconciliation Goal is to facilitate
Afghan-led efforts towards political reconciliation.
¶18. (U) The report once again admitted little evidence of
any progress toward national reconciliation during the
quarter, and noted that persistent insecurity and Afghan
preoccupation with the upcoming elections would make progress
on this front unlikely during the next two quarters.
¶19. (SBU) Comment: Again, the almost total lack of media,
parliamentary, or public interest in the report's assessment
of the Afghan mission was remarkable, especially compared to
early 2008, when the minority Conservative government risked
falling over its handling of Canada's role in Afghanistan.
The Canadian public, along with the ruling Conservative Party
and the Official Oppositio2tYrB