THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/23-5/29: AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS KABUL 001348

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT, 5/23-5/29: AMBASSADOR
MEETS WITH INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

REF: KABUL 1322


1. (SBU) The Ambassador met on May 28 with the Lower House
International Relations Committee to discuss the new US
strategy in Afghanistan and listen to MPs' concerns about
security issues. MPs, led by committee chairman Abdul
Rassoul Sayyaf (Kabul, Pashtun),welcomed greater US-Afghan
cooperation on security issues, attention to border security,
and promotion of better relations with neighboring countries
and the Islamic world. Some MPs asked for greater US support
to agricultural, infrastructure, and water use sectors. MPs
Khudai Nazar Samanchar (Nimrooz, Baluch) and Sayed Ishaq
Gailani (Paktika, Pashtun) said rule of law and good
governance were also top concerns for themselves and their
constituents. The Ambassador said he hoped this year's
elections would energize the Afghan people with a rigorous
debate on the government's performance and candidates'
visions for the future of Afghanistan.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador's meeting was part of a larger
effort over the next two months to engage with Parliament.
The Ambassador met Lower House Speaker Qanooni on May 18, and
will soon call on Upper House Deputy Speaker Hamed Gailani
(sitting in for Speaker Sebghatullah Mojaddedi, who is in
Turkey for lengthy medical treatment). The Ambassador plans
to continue his Parliament outreach through a series of
meetings with legislative committees. The goal is to focus
on a substantive agenda, see as many MPs as possible in a
timely manner, and minimize high-profile meetings with
individual MPs during the election campaign season.


3. (SBU) In other business this week:

- The Lower House passed the Counternarcotics Law after
adding in several provisions strengthening the government's
ban on alcohol sales, use, and possession. MPs approved
punishments of "public beatings" for public intoxication and
an eight-year prison sentence for the sale of one liter of
alcohol. During the debate, some MPs accused Western
embassies of bringing alcohol into the country.

- Speaker Qanooni sidetracked the Private Security Companies
Law by referring the law to the non-existent Commission on
the Implementation and Oversight of the Constitution
(reftel). Several MPs expressed frustration that Qanooni has
referred controversial legislation to the commission as both
a means to avoid debate on important issues and to kill bills
he does not like.

- During debate over continuity of government after the May
22 constitutional expiration of the president's term, Qanooni
reprimanded MPs who have represented their personal opinions
as official Parliamentary positions. Some 150 MPs have
publicly sided with a Supreme Court statement authorizing
President Karzai to remain in office through the Aug. 20
election, while another 70 MPs have come out against the
statement. Qanooni said that while MPs were free to discuss
their personal opinions with the public, neither side had
successfully passed a resolution that put the Lower House on
record one way or the either.
EIKENBERRY