PRT GHAZNI - MULLAHS ADOPT A PRO-GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 005518 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, OSD FOR KIMMITT CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-76 POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS PGOV PREL PTER AF SUBJECT: PRT GHAZNI - MULLAHS ADOPT A PRO-GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. At a meeting of Ghazni mullahs called by former Governor Sher Alam, the mullahs heard a series of speeches stressing the mullahs' responsibility, and past failures, to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. While the meeting was taking place, a small group of mullahs drafted a seven-point resolution (text below). The resolution is pro-government and also reminds the government of its role to support Islam. There is no information on whether the message was later preached in the mosques. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Former Ghazni Governor Sher Alam (whose term ended on September 19) called a meeting of Ghazni mullahs on September 14. In his opening address, the former governor called on the mullahs to talk to the people and to protect them from criminals. The Governor stated that due to past disagreements which the mullahs should have helped resolve but did not, Afghanistan faced many problems. The Governor said the lack of unity was a root cause of the current security problems. He reminded the mullahs of the accomplishments of the past four years (highlighting that there is now a legitimate government),and told them there is still time to get ride of the criminals. He then reminded the mullahs that Islam is a faith of peace and that they should not be killing each other, adding that Islam says all have the right to be free. He acknowledged that corruption exists and asked for the people's help in cleaning up the government. Finally, he called upon the public to send their adult sons to join the ANA and ANP. ¶3. (U) Other elders and provincial council members continued with the themes of responsibility and the legitimacy of the current government. A representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs who was brought to the meeting by Coalition Forces, made very strong arguments for the normalization of Afghanistan and urged the mullahs to preach support for the government. He reminded the mullahs of the need to meet with the people and noted that all benefit from national unity. ¶4. (U) While the meeting was taking place, a small group of attendees worked on a seven-point resolution to present to the group. At the end of the meeting the resolution was read aloud and circulated for signature. We cannot confirm whether the message was later preached in mosques. ¶5. (U) PRT translated text from the Ghazni Mullah 7-Point Resolution signed by over 40 Mullahs and read to over 200 present during the September 14, 2006 Ghazni mullah shura: BEGIN TEXT. From the Members of the Afghanistan Mullah's Shura: ¶I. We are seriously asking the Afghanistan Government and the people of Ghazni to try their best to implement the Regulation of Islam and the Holy Koran. II. The interference of neighbor countries is perfectly illegal, and we denounce and condemn it. III. The Afghanistan Government, which is elected by Afghan people, is completely real and legal, so it is the responsibility of everyone to back it up. IV. The Constitution must be supported KABUL 00005518 002 OF 002 must be supported by Afghans, and we hope it be implemented in the society. ¶V. We want Afghan Government to accord the needs of the people to build some Religious Schools. VI. The media and newspapers should be broadcasted according to Islam and Afghan culture. VII. The peace and security is the only desire of Afghans - we want the people to work together in order to bring National unity and brotherhood to our country. We are supporting the resolutions of all Afghanistan's mullah shuras around the country. And we want these resolutions to be implemented in the community. END TEXT. NEUMANN