KARZAI REGISTERS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

UNCLAS KABUL 001131

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM AF
SUBJECT: KARZAI REGISTERS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION


1. President Karzai officially registered as a candidate for
the Aug. 20 presidential election this morning (May 4),
moments before departing for the trilateral meetings in
Washington. Karzai registered with Marshall Mohammed Qasim
Fahim Khan and Karim Khalili as his first and second vice
presidents, respectively. An official with the Independent
Election Commission confirmed that Karzai's registration
paperwork was complete.


2. Karzai is the third official entrant into the presidential
race, though several dozen other potential candidates have
expressed interest in running. Shanwaz Tanai (leader of the
failed 1990 coup) and Akbar Bai (an ethnic Turkmen and rival
to Afghan Uzbek warlord Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum) are the
other two, though neither appears capable of attracting
significant support. Sources close to former Foreign
Minister Abdullah Abdullah and Lower House Deputy Speaker
Mirwais Yaseni said those candidates would register today or
tomorrow. An aide to former Interior Minister Ali Ahmed
Jalali said Jalali had decided not to register for the
election and had ended his campaign. Other major rumored
challengers have kept quiet regarding their intentions,
despite just four days remaining before the registration
deadline. Two minor potential candidates with American
citizenship have contacted the Embassy with questions
concerning renunciation of their citizenship.
RICCIARDONE