Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL1042
2009-04-25 13:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 4/18-4/23: ISAF BRIEFS MPS
how-toVZCZCXRO9020 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #1042 1151332 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 251332Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8607 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS KABUL 001042
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 4/18-4/23: ISAF BRIEFS MPS
ON CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
REF: A. KABUL 997
B. KABUL 969
After beginning the week with a chaotic debate and vote of
confidence in favor of Information Minister Abdul Karim
Khoram in the Lower House (ref A),both houses of Parliament
ended the week with sessions that failed to gain a quorum.
Among the issues raised in plenary or committee sessions this
week were:
- ISAF Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Dutton briefed the Lower
House Defense Committee on April 23 on its investigations of
civilian casualty incidents. MPs expressed gratitude for the
briefing, which they said was the first ISAF effort to engage
Parliament, but hoped it was only the beginning of a longer
discussion on how to improve coordination between ISAF and
Afghan security forces, and limit civilian casualty incidents.
- MPs from Khost continued their walkout over a civilian
casualty incident in that province more than a week ago (ref
B). One MP said the walkout would continue until MPs saw
progress in the government's effort to limit such incidents.
Upper House debates this week focused mostly on the Khost and
other civilian casualty incidents.
- With no quorum present for its final session of the week,
the Lower House deferred action on laws involving police
reform, private security companies, and the electoral system.
Some MPs expressed concern that the electoral law needed to
be passed before June in order to apply to the 2010
parliamentary elections, and urged a quick resolution to the
disputes holding up a vote. MPs are divided over the issue
of seats allocated to Kuchi nomads. Non-Pashtun MPs
generally want to reduce the current 10 seats in the Lower
House, all held by Pashtun Kuchis. Many Pashtun MPs defend
the allocation and believe any change in the number would
require amending the Constitution.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 4/18-4/23: ISAF BRIEFS MPS
ON CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
REF: A. KABUL 997
B. KABUL 969
After beginning the week with a chaotic debate and vote of
confidence in favor of Information Minister Abdul Karim
Khoram in the Lower House (ref A),both houses of Parliament
ended the week with sessions that failed to gain a quorum.
Among the issues raised in plenary or committee sessions this
week were:
- ISAF Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Dutton briefed the Lower
House Defense Committee on April 23 on its investigations of
civilian casualty incidents. MPs expressed gratitude for the
briefing, which they said was the first ISAF effort to engage
Parliament, but hoped it was only the beginning of a longer
discussion on how to improve coordination between ISAF and
Afghan security forces, and limit civilian casualty incidents.
- MPs from Khost continued their walkout over a civilian
casualty incident in that province more than a week ago (ref
B). One MP said the walkout would continue until MPs saw
progress in the government's effort to limit such incidents.
Upper House debates this week focused mostly on the Khost and
other civilian casualty incidents.
- With no quorum present for its final session of the week,
the Lower House deferred action on laws involving police
reform, private security companies, and the electoral system.
Some MPs expressed concern that the electoral law needed to
be passed before June in order to apply to the 2010
parliamentary elections, and urged a quick resolution to the
disputes holding up a vote. MPs are divided over the issue
of seats allocated to Kuchi nomads. Non-Pashtun MPs
generally want to reduce the current 10 seats in the Lower
House, all held by Pashtun Kuchis. Many Pashtun MPs defend
the allocation and believe any change in the number would
require amending the Constitution.
RICCIARDONE