SUPPORTERS QUESTION JALALI ON HIS FUTURE

UNCLAS KABUL 001562 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AF SUBJECT: SUPPORTERS QUESTION JALALI ON HIS FUTURE REF: KABUL 1194 ¶1. (SBU) Former presidential candidate Ali Ahmad Jalali has told supporters he intends to sit out the rest of the campaign and not publicly endorse any other candidate. He hinted his acceptance of the conventional wisdom that President Karzai had amassed an impressive collection of endorsements from the country's political elite and enjoyed a clear advantage over his other rivals. Jalali told several hundred supporters in a June 16 public speech that he would return to Afghanistan after the election to establish a reformist political movement or party, possibly in conjunction with other currently unaligned political figures. Jalali explained to his supporters that he decided not to register his candidacy after efforts to reach power-sharing agreements with other major candidates fell through (reftel). ¶2. (U) During his speech to supporters, Jalali outlined his vision for a political movement and called for government decentralization and reforms in the rule of law and security sectors. Jalali promised to "restore citizens' trust in our government" by demanding greater accountability from public figures and improving local security. ¶3. (SBU) Former Jalali campaign manager and Lower House MP Gen. Helal Helaludin told PolOff on June 16 that Jalali had returned to Kabul this past week to re-connect with supporters who were confused over his sudden departure from the campaign. Jalali has not instructed followers to support any other campaign. Helal believed Karzai had offered Jalali various government positions in exchange for his support during at least three separate meetings during Jalali's visit. Jalali declined Karzai's offers, but did not completely rule out a future role in the administration. EIKENBERRY