MP FAIZULLAH ZAKI HEALTHY, FOCUSED ON STABILITY IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 003449 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, S/CT, SCA/A NSC FOR AHARRIMAN CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 TREASURY FOR APARAMESWARAN STATE PLEASE PASS USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG REL NATO/ISAF, AUS, NZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KDEM AF SUBJECT: MP FAIZULLAH ZAKI HEALTHY, FOCUSED ON STABILITY IN NORTH REF: KABUL 3157 Classified By: DCM RICHARD NORLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In an August 1 meeting with DCM, Faizullah Zaki, MP from Jowzjan, pronounced himself in good health, and interested in downplaying the attack on him in June (REFTEL). While not explicitly stating that Dostum was behind the attack, Zaki said that he wanted to minimize reaction to the event in the interest of stability in the North at a sensitive time. He stated that it will be important to extend a symbolic hand of support to Dostum in the coming months. END SUMMARY. ZAKI RECOVERED FROM ATTACK -------------- ¶2. (C) Zaki appeared to be and stated that he was fully recovered from the what he called the "highway attack" against him in Jowzjan in June 2006. He said that it was not as serious as had been rumored - that he had spent a few days in a private clinic in Tashkent and then stayed at home with his family. He was dismayed by the rumors that floated around after the attack, stating that they put him in a more dangerous situation. He was pleased with the reaction of Parliament, which downplayed the incident and waited for Zaki to return before commenting, and appreciated DCM's words of support. ¶3. (C) While Zaki did not state outright that Dostum was involved in the attack on him, and has publicly stated that he was attacked by criminals, he did say that the rumors of Dostum's involvement in the event and his distance from Dostum were putting him in a difficult position politically and personally. He stated that he wanted to play down rumors that he was separating from Jumbesh Party because it would reduce support for him in some of the small villages of Jowzjan province. Just the very nature of the rumors circulating risked undermining his personal standing and reputation. He said that at this sensitive time, when security in the south was poor, it would not be proper to create inter-community tension in the north. ADVOCATED HUMANITARIAN VISA FOR DOSTUM -------------- ¶4. (C) After DCM mentioned that Dostum's erratic behavior could add to the difficulties in issuing him a requested visa for medical care in the United States, Zaki stated that, in a country like Afghanistan where friendship and outward image are so important, it is important to extend a symbolic hand of assistance to Dostum. He stated that particularly in this case, where Dostum is ill, that humanitarian and political considerations may need to override other factors. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Zaki's comments show the sensitive political position he remains in, and also echo other comments heard from the North that Dostum should not be completely isolated. He left the impression that Dostum was involved in the attack on him, but that he did not feel it was his or Afghanistan's interest to attempt to take on Dostum at this point in time. END COMMENT. NEUMANN