MISLEADING PRESS REPORTS ON KARZAI'S ASHURA MESSAGE

UNCLAS KABUL 000299 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR SCA/FO GASTRIGHT, SCA/A, S/CT, SCA/PPD NSC FOR HARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMITT STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SCUL PTER AF SUBJECT: MISLEADING PRESS REPORTS ON KARZAI'S ASHURA MESSAGE ¶1. (SBU) As is the usual custom on religious holidays, President Karzai offered a message during the Ashura ceremony at the Takyakhana-e-Hussenia (Shiite Mosque) on January 29. It follows successful efforts by government and religious leaders and security forces to plan for a peaceful Ashura celebration which highlighted reconciliation rather than sectarian differences. While some international press reports stated that Karzai's statement included an offer to negotiate with the Taliban, he did not in fact mention the Taliban. Negotiations were offered as a possibility -- linked to reconciliation. ¶2. (SBU) Karzai did not use a prepared text, but there is a transcript of his remarks, which were given in Dari. While there are several variations on the English translation, the one which Embassy interpreters believe is closest to the message is "while we are fighting for our honor against the enemy who seeks our annihilation and who is shedding our blood, we yet again open the paths of reconciliation and negotiation." Another translation is "while we are fighting for our honor, we still open the door for reconciliation and negotiations with our enemy who is after our destruction and shedding our blood." There have been several translations, and the resulting English is not precise, but our interpreters are confident the message was understood by Afghans as an invitation highlighting reconciliation as the basis for negotiations. ¶3. (SBU) The message is also consistent with those offered by Karzai on previous holidays, including Eid in October, where he reiterated his invitation to Mullah Omar to accept the offer of reconciliaton. Those remarks were also misreported or misinterpreted by some as an offer to negotiate with Mullah Omar. NORLAND