RABBANI TELLS HOLBROOKE PARLIAMENT, SUPREME COURT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000426 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV AF SUBJECT: RABBANI TELLS HOLBROOKE PARLIAMENT, SUPREME COURT SHOULD DECIDE ON EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY Classified By: Ambassador William Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1.(C) In a conversation with Ambassador Holbrooke, former President and current MP Burhanuddin Rabbani said that Karzai should not remain in office after May 21 (the constitutional expiration of the president's term of office) if he also planned to stand in the August 20 election. There would be no problem with Karzai's remaining in office if he did not stand for re-election. Rabbani argued that Parliament and the Supreme Court, with input from the international community and civil society groups, should determine the mechanisms for a transitional government to serve between May 21 and the inauguration of the election's winner. 2.(C) On February 14 Rabbani told Holbrooke he supported a fundamental change in structure of the government, with a focus on creating a prime minister to run the government alongside a more ceremonial president, and delegating more power to provinces. Under the current system, the central government has failed many of its responsibilities and disappointed the international community, Rabbani claimed. 3.(C) Rabbani backed the August 20 election date, but agreed with many Afghan political leaders (mainly Karzai opponents) that Karzai's term would end on May 22. Parliament and the Supreme Court were best positioned to address the question of executive authority between May 22 and the conclusion of the election. Parliament, occupied by many of Karzai's strongest critics, and the Supreme Court, whose justices Karzai appointed, would have the credibility to forge a consensus acceptable to the country's various political factions. The international community and civil society groups could also provide valuable input. 4.(C) Rabbani acknowledged he had participated in discussions with other leaders, both in and out of his United Front opposition coalition, to pursue a unity movement of political elites who could forge a consensus way forward for the country. Karzai countered those efforts by offering Rabbani a say in Cabinet nominations. Rabbani declined the offer. Karzai declined Rabbani's request for the president to drop his re-election bid. ¶5. (C) Rabbani feared Karzai might commit a "white coup" by moving up the election date to the spring, giving the incumbent an unbeatable advantage. ¶6. (C) Rabbani welcomed Holbrooke and CENTCOM Deputy Commander LTG John Allen's remarks on civilian casualties and agreed that Karzai's criticisms of U.S. forces following such incidents were harmful to the U.S.-Afghan relationship. ¶7. (U) Ambassador Holbrooke's party cleared this cable. DELL