VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2302 3070235
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 030215Z NOV 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 152302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM MOPS AF UN
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS (PART ONE) FOR THE RESOLUTION ON 
"THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN" IN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
 
¶1. This is an Action request.  USUN is instructed to join 
in co-sponsoring and vote in favor of the resolution on 
The Situation in Afghanistan, begun in para 2, to be 
debated in the UN General Assembly on Monday, November 5. 
Because of the length of the resolution text, the 
Department is sending this message in two parts.  USUN is 
also instructed to draw on the points contained in the 
separate (PART 2) instruction cable in making our 
Explanation of Vote. 
 
¶2.  Begin Resolution Text: 
 
The General Assembly, 
Preamble Paragraphs 
(General References) 
 
(1) Recalling its resolution 61/18 of 28 November 2006 
and all its previous relevant resolutions, 
 
(2) Recalling also all relevant Security Council 
resolutions 
and statements by the President of the Council on the 
situation in Afghanistan, in particular resolutions 1659 
(2006) of 15 February 2006, 1746 (2007) of 23 March 
2007 and 1776 (2007) of 19 September 2007, as well as 
the statement by the President of the Council on 17 July 
2007, 
 
(3) Expressing its strong commitment to the 
implementation of the Afghanistan Compact and the 
annexes thereto, which provide the framework for the 
partnership between the Government of Afghanistan and 
the international community based on the desire of both 
for Afghanistan to progressively assume responsibility for 
its own development and security and stressing the need 
for sustained international efforts to support Afghanistan 
achieve this end, 
 
(4) Reaffirming its strong commitment to the 
sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and 
national unity of Afghanistan, and respecting its 
multicultural, multi-ethnic and historical heritage, 
(Security) 
 
(5) Recognising once again the interconnected nature of 
the challenges in Afghanistan, reaffirming that 
sustainable progress on security, governance and 
development, as well as the cross-cutting theme of 
counter-narcotics, is mutually reinforcing, and welcoming 
the continuing efforts of the Afghan Government and the 
international community to address these challenges in a 
coherent manner, 
 
(6) Reiterating the urgent need to tackle the challenges 
in Afghanistan, in particular the increased violent 
criminal and terrorist activities by the Taliban, 
Al-Qaida, illegally armed groups and those involved in the 
narcotics trade, in particular in the south and east, and 
the development of Afghan Government institutions, 
including at the sub national level, the strengthening of 
the rule of law, the acceleration of justice sector 
reform, the promotion of national reconciliation, without 
prejudice to the fulfillment of the measures introduced by 
the Security Council in its resolution 1267 (1999) of 15 
October 1999 and other relevant resolutions, and an 
Afghan-led transitional justice process, the safe and 
voluntary return of Afghan refugees and internally 
displaced persons in an orderly and dignified manner, the 
promotion and protection of human rights and the 
advancement of economic and social development, 
 
(7) Condemning in this context attacks against both Afghan 
and foreign nationals committed to supporting the 
consolidation of peace, stability and development in 
Afghanistan, in particular United Nations and diplomatic 
staff, national and international humanitarian and 
development personnel, Afghan National Security Forces, 
the International Security Assistance Force, as well as 
the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition, and noting with 
concern that the lack of security is causing some 
organizations to cease or curtail their humanitarian and 
development work in some parts of Afghanistan, 
 
(8) Recognizing the progress achieved, while nonetheless 
remaining deeply concerned about the problem of millions 
of anti-personnel land mines and explosive remnants of 
war, which constitute a great danger for the population 
and a major obstacle for the resumption of economic 
activities and for recovery and reconstruction efforts, 
 
(9) Noting that, despite improvements in building the 
security sector, increased terrorist attacks caused by the 
Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups, in 
particular in the south and east of Afghanistan and the 
lack of security caused by criminal activity, terrorism 
and the illicit production of and trafficking in drugs, 
and the increasingly strong nexus between the drug trade 
and the terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and 
other extremist groups remain a serious challenge, 
threatening the democratic process as well as 
reconstruction and economic development, 
 
(10) Noting also that the responsibility for providing 
security and law and order throughout the country resides 
with the Government of Afghanistan supported by the 
Assistance Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom 
coalition, recognizing the institutional progress achieved 
in this respect and the continued coordination between 
ISAF and the OEF coalition and, deeply concerned about the 
recent increase in violence, and stressing the importance 
of further extending central government authority 
including the presence of Afghan security forces to all 
provinces of Afghanistan, 
 
(11) Welcoming the completion of ISAF's expansion 
throughout Afghanistan, and noting in the context of the 
comprehensive approach the synergies in the objectives 
of UNAMA and of ISAF, 
 
(12) Commending the Afghan National Army and the Afghan 
National Police, the Assistance Force and the Operation 
Enduring Freedom coalition for their efforts to improve 
security conditions in Afghanistan, 
 
(13) Acknowledging, in this context, that the Afghan 
National Army and the Afghan National Police require 
additional support to enhance their capability and 
professionalism, including through the provision of 
increased training and more modern equipment and welcoming 
in this regard the deployment of the European Union Police 
Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), 
 
(14) Stressing that regional cooperation constitutes an 
effective means to promote security and development in 
Afghanistan, 
 
(15) Welcoming in this regard recent initiatives to 
reinforce regional cooperation including the establishment 
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Afghanistan 
Contact Group, 
 
(16) Also welcoming Afghanistan's entry into the South 
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), at 
the SAARC summit, 3-4 April 2007, as an opportunity to 
further promote regional economic cooperation for 
development, 
 
(Governance/ Rule of Law/ Human Rights) 
(17) Reaffirming its continued support for the spirit and 
the provisions of the Bonn Agreement of 5 December 2001, 
of the Berlin Declaration, including the annexes thereto, 
of 1 April 2004 and of the Afghanistan Compact of 31 
January 2006, and pledging its continued support, after 
the successful completion of the political transition, to 
the Government and people of Afghanistan as they rebuild 
their country, strengthen the foundations of a 
constitutional democracy and resume their rightful place 
in the community of nations, 
 
(18) Noting the importance of the national Government 
being representative of the ethnic diversity of the 
country 
and ensuring also the full and equal participation of 
women, 
 
(19) Welcoming recent steps to enhance Afghan and 
international commitment to justice sector reform as 
outlined at the Rome Conference on the Rule of Law in 
Afghanistan, on 2-3 July 2007, 
 
(20) Recalling the guarantee of human rights and 
fundamental freedoms for all Afghans in the Constitution 
as a significant step towards an improved situation of 
human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular for 
women and children, and expressing its concern over the 
harmful consequences of violent and terrorist activities 
by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and other extremist groups on the 
capacity of the Afghan government to guarantee the rule 
of law, 
 
(21) Recalling Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) on 
children and armed conflict, 
 
(22) Expressing its concern about all civilian casualties, 
and reiterating its call for all feasible steps to be 
taken to ensure the protection of civilian lives and for 
international humanitarian and human rights law to be 
upheld, 
 
(23) Recalling Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 
31 October 2000 on women and peace and security, and 
applauding the progress achieved in the empowerment of 
women in Afghan politics as historic milestones in the 
political process, which will help to consolidate durable 
peace and national stability in Afghanistan, while noting 
the need to promote the empowerment of women also at 
the provincial level, 
 
(24) Noting with concern reports of continued violations 
of human rights and of international humanitarian law 
and violent or discriminatory practices including "honour 
killings" in certain parts of the country, particularly 
targeting women and girls, and stressing the need for 
adherence to international standards of tolerance and 
religious freedom and for judicial investigation and 
prosecution of relevant cases, 
 
(25) Condemning recent cases of abducting and even 
killing of journalists and other civilians by terrorist 
and extremist groups, 
 
(Economic and Social Development) 
(26) Encouraging the completion of the interim Afghanistan 
National Development Strategy by early 2008 as well as 
further efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to 
achieve the Millennium Development Goals, 
 
(27) Welcoming the outcome of the Regional Economic 
Cooperation Conferences (RECC) in Kabul, 4-5 December 
2005 and New Delhi, 18-19 November 2006 as well as of 
the Enabling Environment Conference in Kabul, 4 - 5 
June 2007, and of the 17th Ministerial meeting of the 
Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in Herat, 1720 
October 2007, also welcoming Pakistan's offer to host 
the next Regional Economic Cooperation Conferences in 
early 2008, 
 
(28) Welcoming also the continuing and growing 
ownership of the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts 
by the Government of Afghanistan, and emphasizing the 
crucial need to achieve ownership in all fields of 
governance and to improve institutional capabilities, 
including at the provincial level, in order to use aid 
more effectively, 
 
(29) Expressing its appreciation for the humanitarian 
assistance work of the international community in the 
reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, recognizing 
the necessity of further addressing the slow pace of 
change in the living conditions of the Afghan people, and 
noting the need to strengthen and support the capacity of 
the Government of Afghanistan to deliver basic social 
services, in particular education and public health 
services, and to promote development, 
 
(30) Welcoming the continuous return of refugees and 
internally displaced persons, in a voluntary and 
sustainable manner, while noting with concern that 
conditions in parts of Afghanistan are not yet conducive 
to safe and sustainable returns to some places of origin, 
 
(31) Recognising that under-development and lack of 
capacity increase Afghanistan's vulnerability to natural 
disasters and to harsh climate conditions, 
 
(32) Expressing its appreciation for the work of the 
provincial reconstruction teams and of the executive 
steering committee, 
 
(Counter Narcotics a Cross-Cutting Priority) 
(33) Deeply concerned about the increased cultivation 
and production of narcotic drugs in Afghanistan as well 
as the drug trafficking and the increasingly strong nexus 
between the drug trade and terrorist activities by the 
Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups which are 
undermining stability and security as well as the 
political and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan and has 
dangerous repercussions in the region and far beyond, 
and commending the reaffirmed commitment of the 
Government of Afghanistan to rid the country of this 
pernicious production and trade, including by decisive law 
enforcement measures, 
 
(34) Recalling the updated National Drug Control 
Strategy and recognizing that the social and economic 
development of Afghanistan, specifically the development 
of alternative gainful and sustainable livelihoods in the 
formal productive sector, is an important element of the 
successful implementation of this Strategy and depends 
to a large extent on enhanced international cooperation 
with the Government of Afghanistan, 
 
(Coordination and Monitoring/ UN) 
(35) Expressing its appreciation and strong support for 
the central and impartial role that the Secretary-General 
and his Special Representative continue to play in the 
consolidation of peace and stability in Afghanistan and 
stressing the central role of UNAMA to promote a more 
coherent international engagement to ensure a seamless 
transition, under Afghan leadership, from humanitarian 
relief to recovery and reconstruction, also stressing the 
need for further sustained cooperation, coordination and 
mutual support between the international community and 
the Afghan government, 
 
(36) Welcoming the work of the Joint Coordination and 
Monitoring Board established by the Afghanistan Compact as 
an instrument to further improve coordination between the 
Government of Afghanistan and its international partners 
and to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks, 
 
(37) Recognizing the need for a continued strong 
international commitment to humanitarian assistance and 
for programmes, under the ownership of the Government of 
Afghanistan, of recovery, rehabilitation and 
reconstruction, and expressing, at the same time, its 
appreciation to the United Nations system and to all 
States and international and non-governmental 
organizations whose international and local staff continue 
to respond positively to the humanitarian, transition and 
development needs of Afghanistan despite increasing 
security concerns and difficulties of access in certain 
areas, 
 
(Operative Paragraphs) 
¶1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General and the 
recommendations contained therein; 
 
(Security) 
¶2. Strongly condemns the upsurge of violence, including 
the rising trend of suicide attacks, in Afghanistan, 
particularly in the southern and eastern parts, owing to 
the increased violent and terrorist activity by the 
Taliban, Al-Qaida, other extremist groups and those 
involved in the narcotics trade, which has resulted in 
increased casualties among Afghan civilians, Afghan 
National Security Forces, the International Security 
Assistance Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom 
coalition, as well as among the personnel of Afghan and 
international aid agencies and all other humanitarian 
workers; 
 
¶3. Stresses the importance of the provision of sufficient 
security, welcomes the presence of the International 
Security Assistance Force throughout Afghanistan, and 
calls upon Member States to continue contributing 
personnel, equipment and other resources to the Assistance 
Force and to further develop the provincial reconstruction 
teams in close coordination with the Government of 
Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in 
Afghanistan; 
 
¶4. Expresses its appreciation for the work of the UN 
Assistance Mission as mandated by UN Security Council 
resolution 1746, and stresses the continued importance 
of the central and impartial role played by UNAMA in 
promoting and coordinating a more coherent 
international engagement, welcomes the extension of its 
presence in additional provinces, which thus ensures that 
the United Nations fulfils its essential coordinating 
role, and encourages the Assistance Mission to consolidate its 
presence and to continue its expansion throughout the 
country, in particular in the south, security conditions 
permitting; 
 
¶5. Calls upon the Government of Afghanistan, with the 
assistance of the international community, including 
through the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition and 
the Assistance Force, in accordance with their respective 
designated responsibilities, to continue to address the 
threat to the security and stability of Afghanistan posed 
by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups as 
well as by criminal violence, in particular violence 
involving the drug trade; 
 
¶6. Urges the Government of Afghanistan and local 
authorities to take all possible steps to ensure the safe 
and unhindered access of United Nations, development 
and humanitarian personnel to all affected populations; 
 
¶7. Strongly condemns all acts of violence and 
intimidation, regrets the loss of life and physical harm, 
and urges the Government of Afghanistan and local 
authorities to make every effort, in accordance with 
General Assembly resolution 60/123 of 15 December 
2005, to bring to justice the perpetrators of attacks, to 
ensure the safety, security and free movement of all 
United Nations, development and humanitarian personnel 
and to protect the property of the United Nations and of 
development or humanitarian organizations; 
 
¶8. Stresses the importance of advancing the full 
implementation of the programme of disbandment of 
illegal armed groups throughout the country under 
Afghan ownership, while ensuring coordination and 
coherence with other relevant efforts, including security 
sector reform, community development, counter- 
narcotics, district-level development and Afghan-led 
initiatives to ensure entities and individuals do not 
illegally participate in the political process, in 
accordance with adopted laws and regulations in 
Afghanistan; and calls for adequate support in order for 
the Ministry of Interior to increasingly assume its 
leading role in implementing the programme of disbandment 
of illegal armed groups; 
 
¶9. Welcomes the outcome of the Conference on 
"Disbandment of illegal armed groups for the stabilization 
of Afghanistan: Coordination with the Police Reform" in 
Tokyo on 21 June, 2007; 
 
¶10. Further welcomes, in this context, the commitment of 
the Afghan Government to stand firm on the disbandment of 
illegal armed groups, and to work actively at national, 
provincial and local levels to advance this commitment; 
 
¶11. Welcomes the development of the new professional 
Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, 
calls for accelerated efforts to modernize and strengthen 
both institutions and related Government departments 
and welcomes in this regard the deployment of the EU 
Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) in 2007; 
 
¶12. Also welcomes the completion of the disarmament 
and demobilization of child soldiers in the Afghan 
Military Forces, stresses the importance of the reintegration 
of child soldiers and of care for other children affected by 
war, commends the Government of Afghanistan for its 
efforts in this regard, and encourages it to continue 
efforts in cooperation with the United Nations, including 
with the Special Representative of the Secretary General 
for Children and Armed Conflict and with other 
international partners; 
 
¶13. Expresses its concern about the ongoing recruitment 
and use of child soldiers by illegal armed and terrorist 
groups in Afghanistan, reiterates the importance of 
implementing Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005) on 
children and armed conflict, and of ending the use of 
children contrary to international law, welcomes efforts 
by the Government of Afghan in this regard, also 
welcomes the accession by Afghanistan to the 
Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two 
optional protocols thereto as well as commitments made 
by the Government of Afghanistan at the Conference 
"Free Children from War" in Paris, 5-6 February 2007; 
 
¶14. Welcomes the progress achieved through the "Mine 
Action Programme for Afghanistan" and supports the 
Government of Afghanistan to meet its responsibilities 
under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, 
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel 
Mines and on Their Destruction in line with the UN 
Millennium Goals, to cooperate fully with the mine action 
programme coordinated by the United Nations, and to 
eliminate all known or new stocks of anti-personnel land 
mines; 
 
(Governance/ Rule of Law/ Human Rights) 
¶15. Recognizes the challenges following secure and fair 
elections and the establishment of democratic institutions 
as identified in the Afghanistan Compact, and calls upon 
the international community to continue to provide 
sustained support; 
 
¶16. Welcomes steps taken by the Afghan government on 
justice sector reform, also welcomes the progress made 
in the creation of a fair and effective justice system as 
important steps towards the goal of strengthening the 
Government of Afghanistan, providing security and 
ensuring the rule of law throughout the country, and 
urges the international community to continue to support 
the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan in these 
areas in a coordinated manner, welcoming in this regard 
the outcome of the Rome Conference on the Rule of Law 
in Afghanistan, 2-3 July, 2007; 
 
¶17. Encourages the Afghan government to finalise the 
National Justice Sector Strategy and National Justice 
Program and calls on the international community to 
ensure the requisite support for justice sector reform, 
including honouring commitments made at the Rome 
Conference; 
 
¶18. Calls for the full respect of the human rights and 
fundamental freedoms of all, without discrimination of 
any kind, including on the basis of gender, ethnicity or 
religion, in accordance with obligations under the Afghan 
Constitution and international law; 
 
¶19. Notes with concern the negative impact of the 
security situation,in particular terrorist and violent 
activities by Taliban, Al-Qaida and extremist groups on 
the enjoyment of human rights, and calls for all parties 
to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian 
law throughout Afghanistan and, with the assistance of 
the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and 
of the Assistance Mission, to fully implement the human 
rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution, including 
those regarding the full enjoyment by women of their 
human rights and commends the commitment of the 
Government of Afghanistan in this respect; 
 
¶20. Stresses the need to ensure respect for the right to 
freedom of expression and the right to freedom of 
thought, conscience or belief, while noting with concern 
recent attempts to limit freedom of expression and to 
intimidate journalists; 
 
¶21. Continues to emphasize the necessity of investigating 
allegations of current and past violations of human rights 
and of international humanitarian law, including 
violations committed against persons belonging to ethnic and 
religious minorities, as well as against women and girls, 
of facilitating the provision of efficient and effective 
remedies to the victims and of bringing the perpetrators 
to justice in accordance with international law; 
 
¶22. Reiterates the important role of the Afghan 
Independent Human Rights Commission in the promotion 
and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, 
stresses the need to expand its range of operation in all 
parts of Afghanistan in accordance with the Afghan 
Constitution, calls for the full implementation by the 
Government of Afghanistan of the Action Plan on Peace, 
Justice and Reconciliation, without prejudice to the 
implementation of measures introduced by Security Council 
resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions, and 
stresses the importance of judicial accountability of 
human rights offenders in accordance with national and 
international law; 
 
¶23. Recalls Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on 
women and peace and security, commends the efforts of 
the Government of Afghanistan to mainstream gender 
issues and to protect and promote the equal rights of 
women and men as guaranteed, inter alia, by virtue of its 
ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All 
Forms of Discrimination against Women, and by the 
Afghan Constitution, and reiterates the continued 
importance of the full and equal participation of women 
in all spheres of Afghan life; 
 
¶24. Welcomes the finalization of the National Action Plan 
for Women in Afghanistan and the significant efforts by 
the Government of Afghanistan to counter discrimination, 
urges the Government to actively involve all elements of 
Afghan society, in particular women, in the development 
and implementation of relief, rehabilitation, recovery and 
reconstruction programmes, and encourages the collection 
and use of statistical data on a sex-disaggregated basis 
to provide information on gender-based violence and 
accurately track the progress of the full integration of 
women into the political, economic and social life of 
Afghanistan; 
 
¶25. Recognizes the significant progress achieved on 
gender equality in Afghanistan in recent years, and 
strongly condemns incidents of discrimination and 
violence against women and girls, including women 
activists, in Afghanistan, wherever they occur; 
 
¶26. Welcomes the adoption by the Government of 
Afghanistan of the National Plan of Action on Combating 
Child Trafficking, also welcomes initiatives to pass 
legislation on human trafficking guided by the Protocol to 
Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, 
Especially Women and Children, supplementing the 
United Nations Convention against Transnational 
Organized Crime, and stresses the importance of 
considering becoming a party to the Protocol; 
 
End resolution text. 
 
¶3. The resolution text and instructions continues in a 
separate message. 
RICE