Hillary Rodham Clinton: diplomacy key to new Afghan strategy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan relies heavily on civilian efforts, and she is calling for all U.S. diplomats to contribute.

In a cable to U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, Clinton says the success of President Barack Obama's plan depends on the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, whose ranks in Afghanistan and Pakistan are in line for boosts.
"Whether this strategy succeeds or not depends in large part on all of us," she said in the cable to employees of the two agencies late Friday after Obama announced the results of his administration's review of policy for the region.

The plan does have a significant military component and calls for sending thousands of
additional troops to Afghanistan. But Clinton noted that the most recommendations fall under the purview of the State Department and the aid agency.

Clinton leaves Monday for the Netherlands where she said she will seek foreign support for the program at an international conference on Afghanistan.

But the U.S. part of the strategy aimed at defeating al-Qaida, the Taliban and other extremists will see hundreds more diplomats and aid workers deployed in Afghanistan and provide $1.5 billion in annual development aid to Pakistan.

The White House has not released an estimate of the total cost. It is expected to run into the billions of dollars just on State Department and foreign assistance programs.