EU SUPPORTIVE ON AFGHAN STABILITY, KARZAI DECISION

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003222 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AF EUN USEU BRUSSELS SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTIVE ON AFGHAN STABILITY, KARZAI DECISION ON VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES REF: A. STATE 162903 ¶B. THE HAGUE 1901 ¶1. (SBU) We reviewed ref A points during a July 28 meeting with Baltasar Benz, the Afghanistan desk officer in the Commission's External Relations directorate. Benz said that the Commission -- which had been concerned about Afghanistan's warlords -- welcomed President Karzai's decision to drop Fahim Kahn as his running mate. The Commission (and the EU more generally) will maintain its long-standing support for Afghan stability, a public focus since the Bonn Conference and highlighted most recently in the Dutch EU Presidency's July 27 statement (ref B). Benz remarked on the close cooperation between the U.S. and the Commission, EU special representative, core EU member states, and G-8 countries on Afghan issues. ¶2. (U) Also on July 28, CFSP High Representative Solana's office issued a press release detailing his discussion with Karzai earlier in the day. Solana said that the EU supported Karzai's choice of running mates, described in the press release as "persons of high standing and integrity as well as committed to the process of reform." Solana hailed the Afghan people's interest in participating in the elections -- as shown by the high percentage of registered voters and the diversity of presidential candidates -- and called for a secure and open campaign process. ¶3. (U) The Commission on July 29 approved an additional 9 million euros for the UN-managed Elections Project, which will provide support for election-related activities in Afghanistan including voter information campaigns and ensuring that all candidates have media access. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED SAMMIS