Cablegate: Osce Permanent Council: Statement On Outcomes Of

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON OUTCOMES OF
LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
February 25, 2010, Permanent Council meeting in Vienna:

Begin text:

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The United States shares the view of others here that the
London Conference on Afghanistan was successful in
demonstrating the international community's continuing
support for Afghanistan and in highlighting the importance of
strong Afghan leadership.

We also welcomed the emphasis of the conference on the
importance of regional cooperation; greater efforts to combat
terrorism, violent extremism, and narcotics trafficking; and
enhanced efforts to tackle corruption and promote good
governance, human rights, and economic development.

Toward these ends, we see continued opportunities for OSCE
engagement with Afghanistan where the OSCE has unique
expertise. These include in particular efforts to improve
the security and management of Afghanistan's northern border,
counter illicit drugs trafficking, and improve the conduct of
elections. We also hope to see more Afghans participate in
OSCE-sponsored workshops, seminars and conferences, which
offer opportunities for making Afghans more familiar with
OSCE norms and best practices across all three dimensions.

We welcome the Chairmanship's stated commitment to
intensifying OSCE engagement with Afghanistan and look
forward to continued efforts in this regard. We remain
convinced that the benefits to OSCE participating States
could be even more effective if the OSCE had the flexibility
to undertake certain border security and training activities
inside Afghanistan.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

END TEXT
CLINTON

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