PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JALAL: ISSUES FOCUSED PLATFORM

UNCLAS KABUL 001528 DEPT FOR S/CRS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL AF SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JALAL: ISSUES FOCUSED PLATFORM ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 11 at his Kabul campaign headquarters, Afghan presidential candidate Sayed Jalal detailed his political platform to Ambassador Carney and identified problems he sees emerging with the elections process. He requested the U.S. to clearly indicate its impartiality - something still ambiguous in Afghan eyes. Jalal articulated a well thought out, detailed plan for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. He will run on a platform of reconciliation with moderate Taliban, re-education of militant and extreme religious factions, building up of Afghan security forces, actively addressing corruption, acceptance of a large international presence for three to five years and then reduced presence for a further ten to fifteen, a greater role for women, soft diplomacy with Pakistan, and adherence to democratic principles and freedom of speech which he stressed is utterly non negotiable. Jalal sought to undercut his opponent's contention that he is a Wahabist, Saudi talking horse, particularly stressing his view of equality and active role of women and need to moderate extremist Islam. Jalal's Political Platform -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Education of religious hardliners: Educating those who hold extremist religious views is a priority for Jalal. Jalal would facilitate discourse between religious extremists and moderate religious scholars from Egypt and Jordan. and put them into the mix with extreme conservatives and let the discourse begin so that moderates can impart their interpretation of the Koran to hardliners. Jalal noted that in general Afghans do not like the stringent brands of Islam that come out of Western Pakistan or Wahabism from Saudi Arabia. Use of the media is also essential in this effort: support to moderate and progressive media outlets can play a key role in gradually turning Afghan thoughts towards more modern and democratic principles. ¶3. (SBU) Reconciliation with Taliban: Jalal is a strong proponent of reconciling with Taliban believing that "war cannot be won with weapons". Jalal believes careful and honest negotiation can win over seventy -five percent of Taliban. This is especially true if Taliban are approached by a person who they believe is a good Muslim and well-schooled and versed in the Koran. Jalal said his great understanding of the Koran and Hadith has helped, for example, in his dealing with conservative ulema (Muslims trained in Islamic law) and in winning their support. He recounted how he met with 300 ulema from Helmand who, staunchly against democracy, opposed voting in the upcoming election. Through patient arguing and use of the Koran and Hadith, Jalal was able to convince them that voting is in their interests. When the ANA and ANP are ready to provide protection and security, the international forces can leave Afghanistan but all Afghans, including the Taliban, must play a part in this effort by supporting the government and its security forces. Jalal believes these 300 ulema will support him, despite the fact that he was absolutely candid with them that democracy and freedom of speech would be absolutely non-negotiable tenets of his administration. ¶4. (SBU) Support for Afghan Women: Jalal said that he deliberately keeps ulema waiting in his ante room while he files women past who are meeting with him. He does this exercise to impart to ulema his views that women have rights - the right to work, freedom of speech - and he wants a clear understanding that this is non-negotiable. Once again he argues that he knows enough Koran and Hadith to argue an Islamic position on women's rights. ¶5. (SBU) Pakistan: Pakistan is the key nation to understand, Jalal said. Fundamentally Pakistan must feel confident that Afghanistan will not be used by Indian intelligence against Pakistan. Soft diplomacy towards Pakistan over time without alienating India will be central to his foreign policy. He also stated that, as President, he would not advocate for a change in the Durand line. There are too many other important issues to take care of such as poverty, lack of services, security - before the government addresses the Durand line. ¶6. (SBU) Corruption: In seven years, we Afghans are poorer, with worse security and more corruption - particularly political corruption is far worse, Jalal said. The Afghan people are tired of this and want change. "Democracy is in danger (in Afghanistan) because of political corruption", Jalal said. He will absolutely not tolerate political corruption, he said. Campaign Strategy -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Responding to Ambassador Carney's question on his chances, Jalal said "I can win Afghans by being clear about my goals, by not playing politics and by not lying". Afghan people are profoundly tired of lack of justice and corruption, but also of the foreign presence on their soil. He is honest with Afghans that as President he will advocate for three to five years of full time international help to build up the ANA and ANP and to help eliminate corruption within the police and intelligence services. Thereafter he will plan for a reduced international presence of logistical and technical assistance for a further ten to fifteen years. ¶8. (SBU) Jalal was confident that Afghans of different ethnicities would support him. He said he had met 20,000 Afghans in the last few months -men, women, and ulema of all ethnicities. Afghans are politically savvy enough to make their own choice in the coming presidential elections, he said. Afghans are so ready for change that Jalal believes they will not vote along ethnic lines, but rather for a candidate like him that has a well-articulated pro-justice and anti-corruption campaign platform. Shortcomings in the election process -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Jalal is primarily concerned about the mixed signals coming from the U.S. in regard to whether or not we support a particular candidate. Many Afghans believe that the U.S. and Karzai struck a deal involving the appointment of Khalilzad as Chief Executive. President Karzai has made no effort to dispel this idea and has even encouraged the notion as it gives him credence as "the U.S. pick." Jalal requested that the U.S. give a clear indication that this is not true and reaffirm our impartiality. Ambassador Carney reaffirmed U.S. impartiality to Jalal. He mentioned a recent Tolo TV. interview where he commented that any political discussions between Karzai and Khalilzad did not and would not involve the U.S. ¶10. (SBU) Jalal alleged that there will be 5,000 to 7,000 ballot boxes sequestered away in government buildings on election day (amounting to 3 million votes). These will be inaccessible to observers or candidates agents providing ample opportunity for "ballot stuffing". Ambassador Carney told Jalal he should make a formal complaint to the Electoral Complaints Commission. ¶11. (SBU) Finally Jalal claimed that the media coverage of the election is biased towards President Karzai. When Jalal arrived in Herat, several thousand supporters greeted him at the airport. The media did not show the crowd, but rather, televised a short clip of Jalal leaving a mosque with about 20 people around him. In contrast, the media fully supports Karzai, Jalal said. EIKENBERRY