Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL1308
2009-05-24 06:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/16-5/21: MPS DEBATE
how-toVZCZCXRO1828 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #1308 1440658 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 240658Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9055 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0069
UNCLAS KABUL 001308
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/16-5/21: MPS DEBATE
ELECTED GOVERNORS
UNCLAS KABUL 001308
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/16-5/21: MPS DEBATE
ELECTED GOVERNORS
1. The Lower House moved away from contentious debate over
civilian casualties this week and debated legislation
regulating the Independent Directorate for Local Governance
(IDLG),sparking a conversation over whether Parliament
should require the popular election of governors. Tajiks,
Uzbeks, and Hazaras (mainly from northern provinces) argued
in favor of elected governors, saying such a change would
better connect people to their government. Pashtun and
southern MPs mostly opposed the idea, calling the idea an
unconstitutional attempt to subvert the authority of the
central government. Other MPs warned that subjecting
governors to election would lead to warlords winning office
and persecuting ethnic and religious minorities. MPs were
unable to reach a consensus and Speaker Qanooni, bowing to
tradition, did not call for a vote on a closely divided
issue, instead referring the law back to the committees for
further study.
2. Lower House MPs also revisited the controversy of Foreign
Minister Spanta, who failed a no confidence vote in 2007 but
remained in office with the support of the Supreme Court,
signing international agreements on behalf of the government.
Qanooni said Parliament would no longer consider ratifying
agreements signed by Spanta. MPs also passed a law
regulating transportation affairs and condemned the alleged
beating of an MP from Sar-e-Pul by Afghan National Police
officers. The Upper House again struggled to make a quorum
and did not take any major actions this week.
EIKENBERRY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/16-5/21: MPS DEBATE
ELECTED GOVERNORS
1. The Lower House moved away from contentious debate over
civilian casualties this week and debated legislation
regulating the Independent Directorate for Local Governance
(IDLG),sparking a conversation over whether Parliament
should require the popular election of governors. Tajiks,
Uzbeks, and Hazaras (mainly from northern provinces) argued
in favor of elected governors, saying such a change would
better connect people to their government. Pashtun and
southern MPs mostly opposed the idea, calling the idea an
unconstitutional attempt to subvert the authority of the
central government. Other MPs warned that subjecting
governors to election would lead to warlords winning office
and persecuting ethnic and religious minorities. MPs were
unable to reach a consensus and Speaker Qanooni, bowing to
tradition, did not call for a vote on a closely divided
issue, instead referring the law back to the committees for
further study.
2. Lower House MPs also revisited the controversy of Foreign
Minister Spanta, who failed a no confidence vote in 2007 but
remained in office with the support of the Supreme Court,
signing international agreements on behalf of the government.
Qanooni said Parliament would no longer consider ratifying
agreements signed by Spanta. MPs also passed a law
regulating transportation affairs and condemned the alleged
beating of an MP from Sar-e-Pul by Afghan National Police
officers. The Upper House again struggled to make a quorum
and did not take any major actions this week.
EIKENBERRY