THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/16-5/21: MPS DEBATE

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