Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL215
2009-01-28 13:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
how-toVZCZCXRO6879 PP RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #0215 0281307 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281307Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7076 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000215
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV AF TU
SUBJECT: JUNBESH, DOSTUM RESOLVE DIFFERENCES
REF: KABUL 11 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Stacy Nichols for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000215
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV AF TU
SUBJECT: JUNBESH, DOSTUM RESOLVE DIFFERENCES
REF: KABUL 11 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Stacy Nichols for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and Junbesh-e-Milli Chairman
Sayed Noorullah have apparently resolved their differences
over Noorullah's leadership of the majority-Uzbek party,
according to several Afghan Uzbek sources. Unhappy with
Noorullah's reform-minded goals to distance the party from
its military past, Dostum agitated for Noorullah's removal
soon after the general departed Afghanistan for Turkey Nov.
30 (reftel). Meanwhile, other Junbesh members, some alleging
Dostum had personally asked them to take over as party
chairman, attempted to marginalize Noorullah among the
party's grassroots supporters. According to most Junbesh
members, Noorullah is now firmly in charge of the party after
visiting Dostum in Turkey earlier this month.
2. (C) Junbesh member and MP Shaker Kargar (Faryab, Uzbek)
said Noorullah and top Junbesh lieutenant MP Faizullah Zaki
(Jowzjan, Uzbek) struck a deal with Dostum to end the
intra-party dispute. Dostum, weakened by his alcoholism and
history of violent outbursts, agreed to stay out of
day-to-day party affairs. In return, Noorullah promised to
protect Dostum's status as party elder and beloved military
commander among Afghanistan's Uzbek and Turkmen communities.
If differences re-emerge or Dostum decides to return to
Afghanistan, Dostum said he would wait until the next party
conference to challenge Noorullah's status as chairman.
3. (C) The Turkish Consul General in Mazar-e-Sharif told
PRToff the Turkish government was working to preserve the
delicate balance between Dostum and Noorullah. Turkey has
invested heavily in Noorullah's chairmanship of the party,
but recognizes that his popular support pales in comparison
to Dostum's. The CG said he has been meeting with Uzbek
elders upset at Noorullah's role in Dostum's departure to
convince them to fall into line behind the party's new
leadership. He added that Noorullah will need to spend more
time massaging the concerns of Dostum supporters if he wants
his reform agenda to take hold among rank-and-file party
members -- especially if Noorullah's preferred candidate in
this year's presidential election differs from Dostum's
endorsement.
WOOD
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS
CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV AF TU
SUBJECT: JUNBESH, DOSTUM RESOLVE DIFFERENCES
REF: KABUL 11 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Stacy Nichols for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and Junbesh-e-Milli Chairman
Sayed Noorullah have apparently resolved their differences
over Noorullah's leadership of the majority-Uzbek party,
according to several Afghan Uzbek sources. Unhappy with
Noorullah's reform-minded goals to distance the party from
its military past, Dostum agitated for Noorullah's removal
soon after the general departed Afghanistan for Turkey Nov.
30 (reftel). Meanwhile, other Junbesh members, some alleging
Dostum had personally asked them to take over as party
chairman, attempted to marginalize Noorullah among the
party's grassroots supporters. According to most Junbesh
members, Noorullah is now firmly in charge of the party after
visiting Dostum in Turkey earlier this month.
2. (C) Junbesh member and MP Shaker Kargar (Faryab, Uzbek)
said Noorullah and top Junbesh lieutenant MP Faizullah Zaki
(Jowzjan, Uzbek) struck a deal with Dostum to end the
intra-party dispute. Dostum, weakened by his alcoholism and
history of violent outbursts, agreed to stay out of
day-to-day party affairs. In return, Noorullah promised to
protect Dostum's status as party elder and beloved military
commander among Afghanistan's Uzbek and Turkmen communities.
If differences re-emerge or Dostum decides to return to
Afghanistan, Dostum said he would wait until the next party
conference to challenge Noorullah's status as chairman.
3. (C) The Turkish Consul General in Mazar-e-Sharif told
PRToff the Turkish government was working to preserve the
delicate balance between Dostum and Noorullah. Turkey has
invested heavily in Noorullah's chairmanship of the party,
but recognizes that his popular support pales in comparison
to Dostum's. The CG said he has been meeting with Uzbek
elders upset at Noorullah's role in Dostum's departure to
convince them to fall into line behind the party's new
leadership. He added that Noorullah will need to spend more
time massaging the concerns of Dostum supporters if he wants
his reform agenda to take hold among rank-and-file party
members -- especially if Noorullah's preferred candidate in
this year's presidential election differs from Dostum's
endorsement.
WOOD