RUMORS OF KORAN BURNING INCITE PROTESTS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003474

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF
SUBJECT: RUMORS OF KORAN BURNING INCITE PROTESTS

Classified By: Political Counselor Annie Pforzheimer for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: A series of protests have broken out in
several Afghan provinces over the past 10 days sparked by
allegations that ISAF forces burned a copy of the Koran in a
village near Kabul. Following initial protests in Nangarhar
and Wardak provinces, several well-organized student protests
occurred over the next several days in Kabul and several
other provinces, and MPs debated the topic at Parliament.
Protests spread in the wake of unsubstantiated media reports
that ISAF forces burned a copy of the Koran while on patrol.
A media intervention by the GIRoA appears to have help calm
the atmosphere. END SUMMARY.

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"Spontaneous" Protests Reported
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2. (C) A protest broke out on October 19 at Nangarhar
University , following several days of rumors circulating
that an ISAF military patrol burned a copy of the Koran while
conducting house searches in Wardak province, according to
PRT Logar. PRT Khost reported a similar protest at Khost
University on October 22, in which the students attempted to
move the protest from Khost University to the city center but
were persuaded to disperse by local authorities. PRTOffs
reported similar protests in Parwan, Paktiya, and Herat
provinces. PRTOff in Herat reported the Herat University
students carried their protest from the school to the
Governor's compound, whereupon they were joined by other
protesters who were instigated by two local firebrand
mullahs, known for their anti-coalition, anti-ISAF preaching.
The crowd, estimated to number around 1,000, shouted
slogans such as "Down with America", "Down with Israel", and,
confusingly, "Down with the enemies of America". Protests at
all locations were monitored by local security forces who
reported no violence.


3. (C) Protests also took place in Kabul on October 25 and
again on the 26th. On October 25, protests first took place
at Kabul University, after which student protesters moved to
Parliament. In contrast to the events at other locations,
the protesters turned violent upon arrival at Parliament,
pelting police with rocks and injuring several. Security
officials arrested several of the protesters in response.
Several members of Parliament met with protesters and
promised to bring their concerns to the larger membership of
Parliament. During Parliament's plenary session the
following day, Speaker of the Lower House Qanooni advised MPs
that outrage over allegations that US military forces had
desecrated the Koran in Wardak province prompted protests
throughout Afghanistan. Speaker Qanooni then initiated a
conference call with Wardak governor Mohammad Fidai who
informed MPs that ISAF forces searched houses following an
IED detonation on October 13, but had not committed any such
act of desecration.


4. (C) Following Governor Fidai's telephonic report to
Parliament, several MPs made statements requesting restraint
in the face of the rumors. One said, "The foreign soldiers
will never take such a mistake to burn the Holy Koran because
it will never be in favor their national interests". Another
said "This issue should be investigated because foreigners
will not benefit from the burning of the Holy Koran, only our
enemies will benefit".


5. (S) Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) Chairman Arghandewal
told Ambassador Eikenberry on October 26 that the student
protests were &supported by foreign elements.8
Arghandewal said he saw many black head scarves and &Hazara
looking8 protesters as he traveled to the Embassy for his
meeting with Ambassador Eikenberry, in his mind further
confirming Iranian involvement. (NOTE: Ethnic Hazaras are a
Persian-speaking Shi,a minority in Afghanistan).

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"Who You Gonna Call?"
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6. (C) At an October 27, press conference at the Government
Media and Information Center (GMIC),Governor Fidai stated
that he dispatched five investigative teams and had gone
personally to investigate these allegations. He said neither
he nor his investigative teams found any evidence to support
the claims that either ISAF or Afghan forces had done
anything improper. Governor Fidai concluded that the rumors
were the product of insurgents seeking to sow discord and
discredit coalition forces. During his press conference
Governor Fidai also detailed improvements made in Wardak
province including new roads, six radio stations, 37 new
schools, power generation improvements, and refurbishment of
300 mosques, all due to help from coalition partners.

KABUL 00003474 002 OF 002


Governor Fidai said it is these types of improved conditions
that prompt insurgents to engage in propaganda activities,
implying that insurgents had little else to offer.


7. (C) SUMMARY: The appearance of near-simultaneous student
protests throughout Afghanistan certainly has an orchestrated
feel; Afghan university students tend not to engage in
&spontaneous8 nation-wide protests. It isn't at all clear,
though, to whom the guiding hand belongs. Some sources tell
us that Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) organizers put the
students into play. At the same time, HIA Chairman
Arghandewal alleged a malign influence of Iranians. Other
sources advise that the MPs who spoke during the October 26
Parliamentary session were all opposition figures and that
&showed8 the opposition had some role in putting the
protest in motion. Wardak Governor Fidai's quick action to
determine the facts, followed by his compelling statements
made at the GMIC to a large domestic and international media
audience debunking Koran burning reports did much to calm
troubled waters.
EIKENBERRY