PALACE REACTION TO AMBASSADOR'S PRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001657 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV AF SUBJECT: PALACE REACTION TO AMBASSADOR'S PRESS AVAILABILITIES WITH OPPOSITION CANDIDATES REF: A. KABUL 1590 ¶B. KABUL 1640 ¶C. KABUL 1647 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador's press appearances (6/20-Ashraf Ghani, 6/21-Abdullah Abdullah, 6/22-Mirwais Yaseni) have generated much political and media attention. They have also not gone unnoticed by the Palace. FM Spanta called the Ambassador on 6/21, following the Abdullah press conference, to seek clarification on the media events. Spanta, almost certainly calling on Karzai's behalf, and cordial, characterized the events as potentially interference in the campaign. The Ambassador replied that he had accepted the candidates' invitations to appear at the events, and had simply reiterated President Obama's statement on the United States' impartiality in the elections. He noted that after making his remarks, he joined the audience to listen, not participating in dialogue with the media. ¶2. (SBU) The press events were reportedly a key agenda item at the weekly 6/22 Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet discussion reportedly echoed the themes of the Spanta-Eikenberry phone call of the evening before. Karzai instructed Spanta to send a letter to the Embassy outlining the government's objections to the Ambassador's participation in the press events. -------------- - Ambassador's discussion with Karzai and Spanta -------------- - ¶3. (SBU) Following the 6/23 meeting between NSA Jones and President Karzai (septel),the Ambassador remained behind to meet Karzai and Spanta. The atmosphere was relaxed, with Karzai asking what the Ambassador's intentions were in participating in the press events, and Spanta reiterating the points he raised in his earlier telephone call. The Ambassador reiterated his points on accepting an invitation to the candidates' events, and emphasizing the President's and USG's position on the elections. The Ambassador added that once he concluded his statement, he took no questions and simply listened to the candidates' statements. ¶4. (SBU) Spanta asked the Ambassador if he would participate in such events if he were in any other country. The Ambassador noted that Ambassador Jawad attended both the Democratic and Republican party conventions last year, and the USG had no objection. The Ambassador stated that it was a general principle and practice of diplomatic missions in democratic countries to engage with both the ruling and opposition parties. ¶5. (SBU) Beyond that, the Ambassador declared that the situation here was unique. The United States had invested deeply in Afghanistan, was committed to a long-term partnership, and had made significant sacrifices in support of the country. The United States had strong interest in success here; a credible, secure and inclusive election process, as well as a serious policy debate on the future of the country would be important elements of achieving that goal of success. ¶6. (SBU) Spanta concluded the brief meeting by declaring that the Ambassador understood the government's position, so he saw no need to write a letter to the Ambassador. Karzai did not object. -------------- Palace Spokesman and press coverage -------------- ¶7. (U) At a 6/23 press conference at the IEC, NSA Jones responded to a question regarding Palace spokesman Hamadzada's statement of some concern over the Ambassador's activities. Hamadzada stated that the Ambassador's actions would be appropriate if they were simply to state the USG's policy on the elections. They would be inappropriate if they were a signal of his support for a certain candidate. Jones declared that the Ambassador's actions were appropriate, a reiteration of the President's and the USG's policy on the elections. ¶8. (U) State-run media echoed Hamadzada's question as to the USG's intent in meetings with candidates. One article noted the USG stated policy of neither supporting nor opposing any legitimate candidate, but opined that such meetings ultimately called into question Afghanistan,s national sovereignty and political freedom. An editorial in a pro-government newspaper suggested that the meetings also undermined the positions of the candidates, calling into question their independence and suggesting the government is controlled by the international community. KABUL 00001657 002 OF 002 -------------- Our assessment of the impact -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The Ambassador's engagement with the opposition candidates has excited the media and energized electoral politics here. Importantly, there has been a shift in candidate focus from criticizing the legitimacy of the election to issues, with major candidates calling for Karzai to engage in formal debates. A vital part of the United States' success here will hinge on an election process that the Afghan people deem credible, secure and inclusive. A vigorous policy debate would help achieve that success, provided the Afghan electoral institutions and the international community do a reasonable job. The absence of a policy debate would lead the candidates to focus their campaigns on questions over the credibility of the process. ¶10. (SBU) The Ambassador's engagement has also had an effect on Karzai, likely diminishing his confidence in an easy first round win. We now intend to encourage UNAMA and our international partners here to raise their visibility in advancing a credible, secure and inclusive process that would raise the level of discourse to a policy debate on the future of the country. EIKENBERRY