Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL1283
2009-05-20 04:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
NO MAJOR PROTESTS EXPECTED OVER CONTINUITY OF
how-toVZCZCXRO8601 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #1283 1400454 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 200454Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9002 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0063
UNCLAS KABUL 001283
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: NO MAJOR PROTESTS EXPECTED OVER CONTINUITY OF
GOVERNMENT
REF: KABUL 1097
UNCLAS KABUL 001283
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: NO MAJOR PROTESTS EXPECTED OVER CONTINUITY OF
GOVERNMENT
REF: KABUL 1097
1. (SBU) Afghan politicians remain divided over support for
continuity of government under President Karzai following the
May 22 constitutional expiration of his term, but we have not
seen evidence that opponents will organize protests against
the government's legality (reftel). Privately, an
overwhelming majority of MPs and other politicians tell us
they recognize the need for Karzai to stay in office until
the conclusion of the presidential election. However, many
opposition leaders are taking a different public position,
hoping to score points against Karzai by allowing the debate
to play out or actively criticizing his government's
legitimacy.
2. (SBU) Still, opponents do not appear to have gained much
traction from their calls to publicly protest the
government's authority. The 70 Lower House MPs who signed a
letter last month demanding Karzai seek a vote of confidence
from Parliament in order to remain in office have been
hampered by their failure to suggest an acceptable
alternative way forward should Karzai decline to accept their
demands. Moreover, 150 Lower House MPs have issued a second
letter supporting the government's legitimacy. The Supreme
Court went on record in March consenting to Karzai's interim
authority.
3. (SBU) Various media and opposition politicians continue
to call for public demonstrations against Karzai's authority,
but no group has announced plans to organize a major public
event against the government on or around May 22. Leaders of
a new pro-Karzai democratic coalition, the National
Democratic Participatory Front (NDPF),said the Palace
discouraged their plans to hold a pro-government rally on May
22. An NDPF leader said the Palace felt Karzai already had
broad public support for remaining in office and that a rally
would only draw the ire of opponents, who could launch a
counter-rally and provoke violence.
EIKENBERRY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: NO MAJOR PROTESTS EXPECTED OVER CONTINUITY OF
GOVERNMENT
REF: KABUL 1097
1. (SBU) Afghan politicians remain divided over support for
continuity of government under President Karzai following the
May 22 constitutional expiration of his term, but we have not
seen evidence that opponents will organize protests against
the government's legality (reftel). Privately, an
overwhelming majority of MPs and other politicians tell us
they recognize the need for Karzai to stay in office until
the conclusion of the presidential election. However, many
opposition leaders are taking a different public position,
hoping to score points against Karzai by allowing the debate
to play out or actively criticizing his government's
legitimacy.
2. (SBU) Still, opponents do not appear to have gained much
traction from their calls to publicly protest the
government's authority. The 70 Lower House MPs who signed a
letter last month demanding Karzai seek a vote of confidence
from Parliament in order to remain in office have been
hampered by their failure to suggest an acceptable
alternative way forward should Karzai decline to accept their
demands. Moreover, 150 Lower House MPs have issued a second
letter supporting the government's legitimacy. The Supreme
Court went on record in March consenting to Karzai's interim
authority.
3. (SBU) Various media and opposition politicians continue
to call for public demonstrations against Karzai's authority,
but no group has announced plans to organize a major public
event against the government on or around May 22. Leaders of
a new pro-Karzai democratic coalition, the National
Democratic Participatory Front (NDPF),said the Palace
discouraged their plans to hold a pro-government rally on May
22. An NDPF leader said the Palace felt Karzai already had
broad public support for remaining in office and that a rally
would only draw the ire of opponents, who could launch a
counter-rally and provoke violence.
EIKENBERRY