Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KABUL1066
2008-04-29 12:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
UNITED FRONT: DIVIDED BY RECONCILIATION
how-toVZCZCXRO0643 PP RUEHBW RUEHIK RUEHPW RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #1066 1201244 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291244Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3729 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KABUL 001066
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PTER AF
SUBJECT: UNITED FRONT: DIVIDED BY RECONCILIATION
REF: KABUL 878
UNCLAS KABUL 001066
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PTER AF
SUBJECT: UNITED FRONT: DIVIDED BY RECONCILIATION
REF: KABUL 878
1. (SBU) The opposition United Front political bloc's April 8
conference on insurgent reconciliation provoked considerable
internal debate. Party chairman Burhanuddin Rabbani reaffirmed his
willingness to negotiate with the Taliban (reftel). Identifying
reconciliation as a national priority, he urged insurgent leaders to
abandon violence and enter into talks with either the government or
United Front.
2. (SBU) In contrast, Abdul Hamid Mubariz, a United Front supporter
and head of the Journalists Union, described efforts to reconcile
the Taliban as futile so long as they remain militarily strong and
have recourse to Pakistani safe havens and support. Reconciliation
now, he implied, would require capitulation to the Taliban.
Political Analyst Ahmad Saidi agreed, criticizing Karzai and ISAF
for not taking the war to Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan. Two
female United Front activists, Shukria Haidary and National Assembly
MP Qadria Yazdan Parast, vehemently argued that the Taliban are
beyond redemption because of the crimes they committed against women
while in power.
3. (SBU) Rabbani likely adopted his recent high profile on
reconciliation hoping it would advance his undeclared 2009
presidential race ambitions. His overture to the Taliban might
attract a trickle of Pashtun support. It does usefully serve to
remind Afghans of Karzai's failure to reconcile any insurgent of
note. Ironically, Rabbani's ploy has also provoked fundamental
division among his disparate supporters and highlighted the
fragility of his own political bloc.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PTER AF
SUBJECT: UNITED FRONT: DIVIDED BY RECONCILIATION
REF: KABUL 878
1. (SBU) The opposition United Front political bloc's April 8
conference on insurgent reconciliation provoked considerable
internal debate. Party chairman Burhanuddin Rabbani reaffirmed his
willingness to negotiate with the Taliban (reftel). Identifying
reconciliation as a national priority, he urged insurgent leaders to
abandon violence and enter into talks with either the government or
United Front.
2. (SBU) In contrast, Abdul Hamid Mubariz, a United Front supporter
and head of the Journalists Union, described efforts to reconcile
the Taliban as futile so long as they remain militarily strong and
have recourse to Pakistani safe havens and support. Reconciliation
now, he implied, would require capitulation to the Taliban.
Political Analyst Ahmad Saidi agreed, criticizing Karzai and ISAF
for not taking the war to Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan. Two
female United Front activists, Shukria Haidary and National Assembly
MP Qadria Yazdan Parast, vehemently argued that the Taliban are
beyond redemption because of the crimes they committed against women
while in power.
3. (SBU) Rabbani likely adopted his recent high profile on
reconciliation hoping it would advance his undeclared 2009
presidential race ambitions. His overture to the Taliban might
attract a trickle of Pashtun support. It does usefully serve to
remind Afghans of Karzai's failure to reconcile any insurgent of
note. Ironically, Rabbani's ploy has also provoked fundamental
division among his disparate supporters and highlighted the
fragility of his own political bloc.
WOOD