Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KABUL2233
2008-08-21 11:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
AFGHANISTAN PLEDGES TO ACT PRUDENTLY ON MUSHARRAF
how-toVZCZCXRO5640 OO RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #2233 2341142 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211142Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5194 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002233
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, SCA/PB
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR SCTC-A, CG CJTF-101, POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN PLEDGES TO ACT PRUDENTLY ON MUSHARRAF
REF: STATE 88734
Classified By: Acting DCM Jim Van Laningham, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002233
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, SCA/PB
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR SCTC-A, CG CJTF-101, POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN PLEDGES TO ACT PRUDENTLY ON MUSHARRAF
REF: STATE 88734
Classified By: Acting DCM Jim Van Laningham, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Notwithstanding the uncoordinated and unhelpful
August 18 comments by Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri
Bashary ("Musharraf was not someone good for Afghanistan.
We hope that someone good will replace him."),principals
in the Palace, the Council of Minister's Secretariat and
the Foreign Ministry concurred with reftel's demarche
points and pledged to work constructively with the new
Pakistani civilian government and to use more care in their
public statements.
2. (C) Palace spokesman Hamidzada told Public Affairs
counselor on August 19 that Karzai and Musharraf spoke by
phone earlier that day. The tone was friendly and Karzai
reinforced messages consistent with points in our
demarche. Hamidzada said he would reiterate in his
own public statements Afghanistan's support for a
dignified exit and all due respect. Hamidzada
characterized the Interior Ministry's statements
as "unkind" and "stupid."
3. (C) On August 20, Waheed Omar, Deputy DG Office of
Administrative Affairs and Council of Minister's
Secretariat, confirmed to Polcouns that his Government
shared the same view on Musharraf as the USG, as explained
in the demarche. He regretted the unhelpful Interior
Ministry comments and pledged to work on improving
coordination among agencies of the government's message.
Omar informed Polcouns that he would soon be named as the
director of the Government's new Afghan Media Center whose
mandate will be to do just that. Omar said he would speak
to Palace spokesman Hamidzada to issue a palace statement
that reaffirms Afghanistan's intent to work with Pakistan's
civilian government and to speak to Musharraf's resignation
"with appropriate respect."
4. (C) On August 19, Foreign Ministry Assistant Secretary
Khaled Zekriya affirmed to Polcouns that the Government of
Afghanistan's position is in line with the USG: it supports
the democratically-elected civilian government of Pakistan
and agrees the government must turn its attention to the
challenges of terrorism and the economy. Although his
government is pleased that Musharraf has stepped down, it
will treat his departure with dignity.
5. (C) Polcouns gave Zekriya the Secretary's statement and
urged his government to consider our tone and approach as
it determines how to speak to Musharraf's resignation.
Zekriya reiterated there was no difference in view between
his government and the United States on the Musharraf
resignation and it would take a public posture similar to
the USG. He promised to convey the USG position
immediately to FM Spanta and the President's office.
WOOD
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, SCA/PB
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR SCTC-A, CG CJTF-101, POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN PLEDGES TO ACT PRUDENTLY ON MUSHARRAF
REF: STATE 88734
Classified By: Acting DCM Jim Van Laningham, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Notwithstanding the uncoordinated and unhelpful
August 18 comments by Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri
Bashary ("Musharraf was not someone good for Afghanistan.
We hope that someone good will replace him."),principals
in the Palace, the Council of Minister's Secretariat and
the Foreign Ministry concurred with reftel's demarche
points and pledged to work constructively with the new
Pakistani civilian government and to use more care in their
public statements.
2. (C) Palace spokesman Hamidzada told Public Affairs
counselor on August 19 that Karzai and Musharraf spoke by
phone earlier that day. The tone was friendly and Karzai
reinforced messages consistent with points in our
demarche. Hamidzada said he would reiterate in his
own public statements Afghanistan's support for a
dignified exit and all due respect. Hamidzada
characterized the Interior Ministry's statements
as "unkind" and "stupid."
3. (C) On August 20, Waheed Omar, Deputy DG Office of
Administrative Affairs and Council of Minister's
Secretariat, confirmed to Polcouns that his Government
shared the same view on Musharraf as the USG, as explained
in the demarche. He regretted the unhelpful Interior
Ministry comments and pledged to work on improving
coordination among agencies of the government's message.
Omar informed Polcouns that he would soon be named as the
director of the Government's new Afghan Media Center whose
mandate will be to do just that. Omar said he would speak
to Palace spokesman Hamidzada to issue a palace statement
that reaffirms Afghanistan's intent to work with Pakistan's
civilian government and to speak to Musharraf's resignation
"with appropriate respect."
4. (C) On August 19, Foreign Ministry Assistant Secretary
Khaled Zekriya affirmed to Polcouns that the Government of
Afghanistan's position is in line with the USG: it supports
the democratically-elected civilian government of Pakistan
and agrees the government must turn its attention to the
challenges of terrorism and the economy. Although his
government is pleased that Musharraf has stepped down, it
will treat his departure with dignity.
5. (C) Polcouns gave Zekriya the Secretary's statement and
urged his government to consider our tone and approach as
it determines how to speak to Musharraf's resignation.
Zekriya reiterated there was no difference in view between
his government and the United States on the Musharraf
resignation and it would take a public posture similar to
the USG. He promised to convey the USG position
immediately to FM Spanta and the President's office.
WOOD