CODEL HAYES MEETS KARZAI, WARDAK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 002723

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC AF
SUBJECT: CODEL HAYES MEETS KARZAI, WARDAK

Classified By: AMBASSADOR RONALD NEUMANN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On May 31, Congressmen Robin Hayes (R-NC),
Joe Wilson (R-SC),Jeff Miller (R-FL),Richard Keller (R-FL),
and Henry Cuellar (D-TX),and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson
Lee (D-TX) met separately with Defense Minister Wardak and
President Karzai. The President blamed the recent
disturbances in Kabul on disaffected "thugs", lamenting the
lack of trained police equipped to respond appropriately as
well as the slanted news coverage of the events. Karzai was
exercised about Pakistan's refusal, at a recent NAM meeting,
to support a resolution banning the provision of safe haven
to Taliban. He said he had agreed to keep a low public
profile regarding the GOP, but if results were not
forthcoming within 2 or 3 months, such a policy would have to
be reconsidered. The President encouraged the U.S. to engage
in face to face talks with Iran, whose population is largely
pro-American. Minister Wardak requested more air and
communications support for the ANA in order to speed up the
timetable for U.S. troops' withdrawal. End Summary.


2. (C) Karzai opened the meeting by discussing his trip to
Iran, where he was invited to address the Iranian Chamber of
Commerce, in front of an audience of more than 800 business
people. After he spoke to them, Karzai reported, they
crowded around him, each trying to get an individual business
license to operate in Afghanistan.


3. (C) Recent Disturbances in Kabul: Karzai blamed the
situation on "the weaknesses of our own institutions," saying
that he had called the Coalition and ISAF and told them not
to engage, as the GOA could handle it themselves. He also
attributed much of the violence to "thugs and thieves" who
were out for personal gain by stealing cars and looting.
Karzai lamented the lack of sufficient, well-trained riot
police. The Minister of Interior told him that the police
"either shoot or run away." There are only 170 trained riot
police for a city of four million, and they have no
non-lethal crowd control equipment such as riot shields or
water cannons. He told the Congress members that he had been
working all day to put more peaceful means of handling riots
in place, and consulting with "everyone," especially in
Parliament. "They all said, 'Mr. President, get your
security forces in order.'" Karzai said he had issued a
strong statement in support of the U.S. He went on at length
about the irresponsibility of the media, particularly the
local television networks, complaining that they had not
given a balanced portrayal of the situation, even the
national station, which is "supposed to be working for me."
Karzai said he had received a condolence call from President
Bush, and that his message would be passed to the Afghan
people.


4. (C) The delegation then discussed their meetings in
Pakistan with President Musharraf and Finance Minister Shah,
which Congressman Hayes described as "very positive." Karzai
talked about rising exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan
(projected to be USD 1.5 billion this year) and from Iran to
Afghanistan, currently USD 500 million annually, both greatly
increased from Taliban times. Congressman Hayes said that he
had told President Musharraf that the U.S. appreciated his
assistance in the war against terror, but expected that he
would do more.


5. (C) Karzai spoke excitedly about the Non-Aligned
Movement foreign ministers' meeting in Malaysia, saying that

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they had proposed a resolution banning any country from
providing refuge to the Taliban. Out of over 55 countries
present, Pakistan was the only one to oppose the resolution;
such public opposition was a "blatant" sign that they
intended to keep on providing safe haven. Congressman Hayes
promised to express our strong displeasure with this action
to the Pakistanis.


6. (C) Congresswoman Jackson Lee asked the President for
his thoughts on Pakistan, given the precarious government
there, and for advice for the U.S. in dealing with Iran.
Karzai said he had decided, in consultation with others, not
to speak publicly against Pakistan (although he may pay a
political price with the Afghan population, who wonder why he
is not being more vocal when attacks continue) for the next
two or three months (later he suggested a month and a half),
but to engage in quiet negotiations. If there are no results
after that period, however, "we will have to consult and find
a different strategy." The Afghan people, he went on,
believe that the U.S. has the power to stop Pakistan from
harboring Taliban, and are confused when no progress is made.
Regarding Iran, Karzai said the GOI was "very much with us
on the counter-narcotics fight." While Iran is publicly
anti-American, the population (the young people, the business
community) want a relationship with the U.S. "It's good for
the U.S. also to engage Iran," as it is a country with
tremendous resources in the region, and immense national
pride, Karzai said, suggesting that the two countries just
sit down and talk.


7. (C) In answer to a question from Congressman Miller,
Karzai said his top national concerns were continuing the
fight against terrorism, counter-narcotics, and strengthening
Afghan institutions - to include infrastructure such as roads
and electricity. He said that Afghanistan "absolutely" was
interested in encouraging private investment in the
electricity sector. In response to a question from
Representative Wilson, Karzai said that GOA intelligence
would have discerned whether the Government of India (GOI)
was spying in the country, but that the GOI has been very
generous with assistance - some USD 650 million - which was
more than its economy could afford. He acknowledged that
Pakistan was concerned about India's diplomatic presence in
his country, but "I told the GOP, when you close the Indian
Embassy in Islamabad, I will close their consulates in
Afghanistan."


8. (C) Karzai, in response to a question on increasing his
government's revenues, said that Afghans were among the worst
tax-payers in the world, and the GOA was focusing on
increasing customs' collection, as well as from urban
businesses. Dr. Naderi, the president's economic advisor who
was also present, discussed ways of attracting more foreign
direct investment, especially in the oil and gas and
extractive industries. He suggested that the U.S. provide
some incentives for American businesses to locate in
Afghanistan. Ambassador Neumann then discussed the OPIC
program, which is quite forward leaning in the country.


9. (C) In a separate meeting with Defense Minister Wardak,
also on May 31, the minister expressed his appreciation for
Congressional help, but emphasized that Afghanistan had "a
long way to go" and that "we are still in the middle of a
struggle." Congressman Hayes responded that the U.S. would
continue to support Afghanistan and improve the country's
economy, but that "we need to take home clear-cut signs of

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your actions." He also offered to help strengthen ties
between the GOA and the GOP, noting the delegation's meeting
the previous day with President Musharraf. The Defense
Minister told Congressman Wilson that the GOA had no
knowledge of GOI interference in Afghanistan's internal
affairs and such meddling would certainly not be tolerated.
"We won't be a proxy."


10. (C) In response to a question from Congressman Jackson
Lee on when U.S. troops could be withdrawn, Wardak did not
give an exact time; he noted that Afghanistan did not want to
be burden on the international community, but it is located
in a "tumultuous" region and had worked hard to establish
strategic partnership agreements with the U.S., as well as
with NATO and the U.K. Wardak stressed that Afghanistan
would be able to assume the burden of its own defense more
quickly if the ANA were supplied with what he termed "combat
enablers," such as air and communications support. "It
(providing combat enablers) is cheaper than sustaining a big
coalition force and shedding your children's blood." If he
had significant air power, he continued, and a "package of
more firepower and mobility on the ground, one third of your
troops could leave." Wardak stressed the need for facilities
for the ANA so they could sustain deployments to difficult
areas. They had to withdraw from areas last winter because
they lacked winter quarters. The Taliban took advantage of
these holes. Ambassador Neumann then noted that he had heard
that the '06 supplemental budget request still in committee
might have some of the USD 300 million for ANA and ANP
infrastructure cut. He emphasized that this money was
essential to meet the facilities that General Wardak talked
about. Wardak, referring to the large amounts being spent in
Iraq, said that if "we were a failure, we would have received
much more aid." Congressman Wilson expressed condolences for
the recent accident, asking if the violent reaction was a
sign of anti-Americanism. Wardak replied the disturbances
were definitely not motivated by anti-U.S. sentiment, but
that certain elements that were displeased with the U.S.
presence have not hesitated to take advantage of the
situation.


11. (U) Codel departed post before this cable was sent and
was not able to clear this message.
NEUMANN