AFGHAN ELECTIONS: KARZAI ANNOUNCES BUT DOESN'T

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 002322

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: AFGHAN ELECTIONS: KARZAI ANNOUNCES BUT DOESN'T
RELEASE HIS PLATFORM

REF: KABUL 2067

Classified By: PolCouns Annie Pforzheimer, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) President Karzai announced his campaign platform to
the press August 10. Important elements of his public
statement included promises that he will, if re-elected:

-- prioritize negotiations with the Taliban
-- improve security, focusing more on building up the ANA and
ANP
-- do more to prevent civilian casualties
-- establish good and sustainable relations with foreign
countries, especially the United States; and
-- hold a traditional Loya Jirga if elected and would invite
the Taliban to participate.

In a reference to corruption, he added that he will not
"repeat the problems of the past."


2. (C) Although the platform was announced and described to
the media August 10, no document was distributed and palace
officials tell us they have no authoritative version. (Note:
Embassy has, and has translated and transmitted to
Washington, an earlier 28-page version of the platform. End
Note.) Palace Advisor Sebghatullah Sanjar told us that
President Karzai, depending on the advisor he is listening to
last, continues to waver over details of the platform.
Sanjar said this was true in particular on issues of the
status of foreign troops and the calling of a traditional
Loya Jirga. (Comment: Karzai has made various campaign
promises to different groups -- including us -- so may resist
putting anything in writing during this sensitive campaign
period. The palace continues to promise us a final version.
End Comment.)

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Strategy, not Policy?
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3. (C) Karzai's Palace Chief of Staff Mohammad Daudzai told
us privately August 8 that the timing of the platform being
announced was a campaign strategy decision. He said that the
push is concentrated on the final days before the election
(ref A) to have mullahs explain the platform to voters in the
mosques on the important final Friday before August 20.
Daudzai said -- only half jokingly -- that since using the
mullahs was a key method of conveying information to voters,
part of the Karzai platform was a vaguely-worded promise that
"life would be better for mullahs" if Karzai were re-elected.
EIKENBERRY