ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13487Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13487

Establishment of a Temporary Organization To Facilitate United States Government Support for Afghanistan

This executive order creates the Afghanistan Support Office (ASO), a temporary State Department organization to coordinate U.S. civilian support for Afghanistan's governance, economic development, and security transition. The ASO is jointly based in Washington and Kabul and will terminate at the maximum period allowed under federal temporary organization law unless ended sooner by the Secretary of State.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 4097

Impact dates

  1. ASO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)

Key directives

  • Establish Afghanistan Support Office (ASO) as temporary organization within Department of State per 5 U.S.C. 3161
  • ASO to support executive departments/agencies in building Afghan civilian capabilities, expanding central services, developing private sector economy, and improving governance and border control
  • ASO headed by Director selected by Secretary of State
  • ASO jointly based in Washington, D.C. and Afghanistan
  • Secretary of State to seek embassy accreditation for ASO employees as necessary
  • ASO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) unless sooner terminated by Secretary

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • ASO established within Department of State
  • Director to be selected by Secretary of State

Near term (90d)

  • Employees to seek accreditation at U.S. Embassy Kabul
  • Operational setup of dual headquarters in Washington and Afghanistan

Long term

  • Support for Afghan civilian capacity building
  • Development of Afghan private sector economy
  • Improvement of Afghan governance and border control
  • ASO termination at end of statutory maximum period

Risks & tensions

  • Duration uncertainty: 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) typically permits temporary organizations for up to 3 years, with possible extensions, but EO does not specify exact termination date
  • Conditional implementation: 'subject to availability of appropriations' may limit operational capacity
  • Dual-base structure creates logistical and security coordination challenges in active conflict zone
  • Vague scope in Sec. 3(b) ('such other functions as the Secretary may assign') allows broad expansion but risks mission creep
Executive Order 13487: Establishment of a Temporary Organization To Facilitate United States Government Support for Afghanistan · Executive Orders