US embassy cable - 01ULAANBAATAR1018

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Identifier:	01ULAANBAATAR1018
Wikileaks:	View 01ULAANBAATAR1018 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Created:	2001-11-07 02:31:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL PTER AF MG
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ULAANBAATAR 001018 
 
CONFIDENTIAL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2021 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, AF, MG 
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN'S FUTURE - NEXT STEPS 
 
REF: STATE 192153 
 
CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF DEL JUNKER FOR 
REASONS: 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
1.  (U) ON NOVEMBER 6, WE REVIEWED POINTS CONTAINED IN 
REFTEL WITH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER S. BATBOLD.  HE STATED 
HE UNDERSTOOD THE GOALS OF THE U. S. POLICY.  HE ADDED THA 
HE APPRECIATED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED AND OUR REQUEST FO 
COMMENT BUT WOULD DEFER COMMENT FOR THE MOMENT. 
 
2.  (C) BATBOLD AND A MEMBER OF HIS STAFF POSED QUESTIONS 
ON THREE POINTS: (1) DOES THE POLICY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN 
RADICAL AND MODERATE ELEMENTS OF THE TALIBAN?; (2) WILL TH 
NORTHERN ALLIANCE BE WILLING TO SHARE POWER IF IT OCCUPIES 
KABUL BEFORE A COALITION IS ORGANIZED?; AND, (3) IS THE 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, PARTICULARLY THAT BEING AIR- 
DROPPED BY THE U. S., REACHING THE REFUGEES OR IS IT BEING 
INTERCEPTED BY TALIBAN ELEMENTS?  WE WERE ABLE TO RESPOND 
TO THE QUESTIONS DRAWING ON THE POINTS IN REFTEL AND ON TH 
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CABLES. 
 
3.  (C) COMMENT:  BATBOLD'S NON-COMMITTAL RESPONSE IS DUE 
TO THE FACT THAT BOTH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE PRIME 
MINISTER ARE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.  WE EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT 
OF MONGOLIA TO SUPPORT U. S. POLICY IN THIS MATTER. 
 
DINGER