VZCZCXRO8672
OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #0261 0251201
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251201Z JAN 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5706
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3575

UNCLAS KABUL 000261 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A 
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG 
NSC FOR HARRIMAN 
OSD FOR KIMMITT 
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MCAP PREL PGOV PTER PHUM EAID AF
SUBJECT: UNAMA OPENS PROVINCIAL OFFICE IN KHOST 
 
REF: 06KABUL 5734 
 
¶1.  (U) UNSRSG for Afghanistan Tom Koenigs opened the UNAMA 
Khost Office, one of nine new UNAMA provincial offices, on 
January 21.  In his remarks, Koenigs highlighted the 
provincial center's importance to the region, noting its 
university (being developed), economic activity, and 
strategic location.  According to Koenigs, over 4,000 
individuals cross the Afghan-Pakistan border daily to conduct 
business, visit their families, or for employment.  The SRSG 
highlighted Khost as an example of where residents were 
prepared to take responsibility for their own security, and 
applauded the November agreement by which religious and 
tribal leaders spoke out collectively against violence and 
condemned terrorist attacks.  Citing Governor Jamal's 
leadership, Koenigs said UNAMA will support the Governor's 
Conflict Resolution Commission and the provincial planning 
process.  The goal is to help overcome a traditional lack of 
investment by the international community.  Koenigs announced 
that UNAMA would be working with the Afghan Independent Human 
Rights Commission (AIHRC) to monitor, investigate and report 
on all human rights cases, "regardless of the perpetrators." 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Ambassador had pressed for the early opening of 
the UNAMA Khost office following his visit to Khost on 
November 21 (Ref).  The office will facilitate the reach of 
and engagement with the central government, including through 
the provincial planning process that will encourage increased 
central government and international assistance.  The office 
in Khost is the fourth of nine new offices to be opened. 
Others already opened are in Badghis, Zabul, and Kunar. 
NEUMANN