Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL1663
2009-06-25 09:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
HERAT: KARZAI SEEKS FEMALE VOTES, BUT CANDIDATES FACE
how-toVZCZCXRO8607 RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBUL #1663 1760917 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 250917Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9713 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS KABUL 001663
DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: HERAT: KARZAI SEEKS FEMALE VOTES, BUT CANDIDATES FACE
CHALLANGES
REF: Kabul 1662
UNCLAS KABUL 001663
DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: HERAT: KARZAI SEEKS FEMALE VOTES, BUT CANDIDATES FACE
CHALLANGES
REF: Kabul 1662
1. (U) President Karzai has moved to develop a strong basis of
support among female voters in Herat. On June 22 he opened an
electoral campaign center for women there, a sign of anticipation
that he will need women's votes on election day. Like his campaign
office (reftel),the women's center is serving lunch and other
refreshments daily. Karzai's female outreach strategy appears to be
working, and further adds to the general view that Karzai has
co-opted the key ethnic and minority groups to support his campaign.
2. (U) Female candidates, on the other hand, continue to struggle,
particularly with obtaining financial support for their campaigns
and security. According to UNAMA's human rights office, female
candidates are unable to access some districts for security reasons,
and must campaign in these districts through family members and
associates. One female candidate was forced to withdraw from the PC
campaign prior to the finalization of the final PC candidate list
after she received threats against her person and her daughters.
She told UNAMA that she was too fearful to report the threats to the
National Directorate of Security (NDS).
3. (U) On a positive note, as a result of the June 17 roundtable
discussion with Herat's Provincial Council involving Ambassador
Eikenberry and Minister Atmar, female PC Member Shahnaz Ghowsi
reported that security for female PC members had been restored at
Minister Atmar's direction. (Note: Originally, the MOI withdrew
security for female incumbents seeking reelection, reasoning that
providing such security would favor their current campaigns for a
new term. End Note.) The U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute
(NDI) will provide training to female candidates from all provinces
in Kabul starting July 24, and candidates from Herat are expected to
attend. Additionally the International Republican Institute (IRI)
said it is working with women's groups.
EIKENBERRY
DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: HERAT: KARZAI SEEKS FEMALE VOTES, BUT CANDIDATES FACE
CHALLANGES
REF: Kabul 1662
1. (U) President Karzai has moved to develop a strong basis of
support among female voters in Herat. On June 22 he opened an
electoral campaign center for women there, a sign of anticipation
that he will need women's votes on election day. Like his campaign
office (reftel),the women's center is serving lunch and other
refreshments daily. Karzai's female outreach strategy appears to be
working, and further adds to the general view that Karzai has
co-opted the key ethnic and minority groups to support his campaign.
2. (U) Female candidates, on the other hand, continue to struggle,
particularly with obtaining financial support for their campaigns
and security. According to UNAMA's human rights office, female
candidates are unable to access some districts for security reasons,
and must campaign in these districts through family members and
associates. One female candidate was forced to withdraw from the PC
campaign prior to the finalization of the final PC candidate list
after she received threats against her person and her daughters.
She told UNAMA that she was too fearful to report the threats to the
National Directorate of Security (NDS).
3. (U) On a positive note, as a result of the June 17 roundtable
discussion with Herat's Provincial Council involving Ambassador
Eikenberry and Minister Atmar, female PC Member Shahnaz Ghowsi
reported that security for female PC members had been restored at
Minister Atmar's direction. (Note: Originally, the MOI withdrew
security for female incumbents seeking reelection, reasoning that
providing such security would favor their current campaigns for a
new term. End Note.) The U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute
(NDI) will provide training to female candidates from all provinces
in Kabul starting July 24, and candidates from Herat are expected to
attend. Additionally the International Republican Institute (IRI)
said it is working with women's groups.
EIKENBERRY