Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KABUL2633
2008-09-28 07:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
IEC: IMAGE AND PUBLIC OUTREACH NEED IMPROVEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO3278 PP RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #2633 2720718 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 280718Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5649 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002633
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR MCGRAW
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: IEC: IMAGE AND PUBLIC OUTREACH NEED IMPROVEMENT
REF: A. KABUL 2548
B. KABUL 2575
Classified By: Alan Yu, Reasons 1.5 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002633
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR MCGRAW
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: IEC: IMAGE AND PUBLIC OUTREACH NEED IMPROVEMENT
REF: A. KABUL 2548
B. KABUL 2575
Classified By: Alan Yu, Reasons 1.5 b and d
1. (C NF) A senior strategic communications expert with
experience in advising heads of state visited Afghanistan
September 14 to 26 to consult with the Independent Elections
Commission (IEC) on ways to improve the IEC's public image,
media operations, and voter outreach. Hosted by UNDP/ELECT,
Australian Toby Ralph (strictly protect) found that civil
society and media representatives see the IEC as little-known
but dubiously independent. The close political relationship
between IEC president Dr. Azizullah Lodin and President
Karzai (ref A) is the principal cause of questions over the
organization's impartiality.
2. (C NF) The IEC's "very shoddy" public relations
department does nothing to help this image and may have
worsened it, Ralph says. The IEC president's startling and
extemporaneous public statements appear against the backdrop
of a press operation that is unskilled, unmotivated, and, all
too often, "slumped in front of the TV." The staff's
inexperience and disorganization has alienated media
representatives, as the set-up of press events changes
mercurially and journalists' deadlines go unmet.
Organizational and procedural reforms could easily improve
the media shop, Ralph says, although finding a talented and
suitable spokesperson will be a key, difficult challenge.
3. (C NF) As for outreach to voters, Ralph considers the
IEC's work to date "very limited." The IEC itself tells him
it is most likely to make contact with urban voters rather
than the still-sizable rural population. The IEC's radio and
TV spots (ref B) have begun to appear on air, and Ralph is
hopeful that the IEC program of outreach activities will soon
be more effective. He recommended that the IEC develop
cooperative relationships with the Ministry of Haj and Waqif
and the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs, so that local
religious and tribal leaders can complement the work of the
1,500 local civic educators now on the ground. UNDP may also
encourage one of the two female commissioners to represent
the IEC at media events, to attract women voters. Ralph also
suggested the IEC begin to engage broadly with civil society
organizations, looking past the immediate issue of voter
registration to the elections in 2009.
4. (C NF) Ralph claims the Taliban is telling ordinary
Afghans that voting is a sin against Islam. In his view, the
IEC as an organization is nowhere near ready to counter the
message. Comment: Post will work with UNDP, IFES, and other
USAID partners to review the consultant's report and
encourage the IEC to implement needed changes. The IEC's
present failings in managing its image and voter outreach
matter because of their potential impact on voter
participation and popular perceptions of the legitimacy of
the elections. On September 27 IEC president Lodin, seated
among his fellow commissioners, admitted to POLCONS that the
media operation needs improvement. End comment.
DELL
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR JWOOD
OSD FOR MCGRAW
CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: IEC: IMAGE AND PUBLIC OUTREACH NEED IMPROVEMENT
REF: A. KABUL 2548
B. KABUL 2575
Classified By: Alan Yu, Reasons 1.5 b and d
1. (C NF) A senior strategic communications expert with
experience in advising heads of state visited Afghanistan
September 14 to 26 to consult with the Independent Elections
Commission (IEC) on ways to improve the IEC's public image,
media operations, and voter outreach. Hosted by UNDP/ELECT,
Australian Toby Ralph (strictly protect) found that civil
society and media representatives see the IEC as little-known
but dubiously independent. The close political relationship
between IEC president Dr. Azizullah Lodin and President
Karzai (ref A) is the principal cause of questions over the
organization's impartiality.
2. (C NF) The IEC's "very shoddy" public relations
department does nothing to help this image and may have
worsened it, Ralph says. The IEC president's startling and
extemporaneous public statements appear against the backdrop
of a press operation that is unskilled, unmotivated, and, all
too often, "slumped in front of the TV." The staff's
inexperience and disorganization has alienated media
representatives, as the set-up of press events changes
mercurially and journalists' deadlines go unmet.
Organizational and procedural reforms could easily improve
the media shop, Ralph says, although finding a talented and
suitable spokesperson will be a key, difficult challenge.
3. (C NF) As for outreach to voters, Ralph considers the
IEC's work to date "very limited." The IEC itself tells him
it is most likely to make contact with urban voters rather
than the still-sizable rural population. The IEC's radio and
TV spots (ref B) have begun to appear on air, and Ralph is
hopeful that the IEC program of outreach activities will soon
be more effective. He recommended that the IEC develop
cooperative relationships with the Ministry of Haj and Waqif
and the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs, so that local
religious and tribal leaders can complement the work of the
1,500 local civic educators now on the ground. UNDP may also
encourage one of the two female commissioners to represent
the IEC at media events, to attract women voters. Ralph also
suggested the IEC begin to engage broadly with civil society
organizations, looking past the immediate issue of voter
registration to the elections in 2009.
4. (C NF) Ralph claims the Taliban is telling ordinary
Afghans that voting is a sin against Islam. In his view, the
IEC as an organization is nowhere near ready to counter the
message. Comment: Post will work with UNDP, IFES, and other
USAID partners to review the consultant's report and
encourage the IEC to implement needed changes. The IEC's
present failings in managing its image and voter outreach
matter because of their potential impact on voter
participation and popular perceptions of the legitimacy of
the elections. On September 27 IEC president Lodin, seated
among his fellow commissioners, admitted to POLCONS that the
media operation needs improvement. End comment.
DELL