Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL428
2009-02-28 10:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
SRSG KAI EIDE: KARZAI STILL THE PERSON TO BEAT
how-toVZCZCXRO5744 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #0428 0591050 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281050Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7522 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000428
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV AF
SUBJECT: SRSG KAI EIDE: KARZAI STILL THE PERSON TO BEAT
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000428
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV AF
SUBJECT: SRSG KAI EIDE: KARZAI STILL THE PERSON TO BEAT
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY. SRSG Kai Eide told Ambassador Holbrooke on
2/13 that Karzai, with all of his political vulnerabilities,
was still the strongest political figure and would likely win
reelection.
Karzai still on top
--------------
2. (C) Eide told Ambassador Holbrooke that he had developed a
strong relationship with Karzai, and that he, more than any
other diplomat, could speak openly and candidly to Karzai.
Eide conceded that he was not achieving any improved
relations between Karzai and the internationals. Eide had
recently told Karzai he saw three paths forward on Karzai's
relations with the international community: (1) he turns
around relations; (2) he continues to confront the
internationals; or (3) he considers how long he wishes to
stay in office.
3. (C) Eide, nevertheless, assessed that there were no
obvious alternative leaders to replace Karzai. Eide thought
no non-Pashtuns could win. He believed Atmar was the
strongest leader and administrator in the country, but agreed
Atmar would not run as long as Karzai was a candidate for
reelection. Eide believed no expatriate Afghans, citing
Ashraf Ghani and Ali Jallali specifically, would have a
chance to win any popular support.
4. (U) Ambassador Holbrooke's party cleared this message.
DELL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV AF
SUBJECT: SRSG KAI EIDE: KARZAI STILL THE PERSON TO BEAT
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY. SRSG Kai Eide told Ambassador Holbrooke on
2/13 that Karzai, with all of his political vulnerabilities,
was still the strongest political figure and would likely win
reelection.
Karzai still on top
--------------
2. (C) Eide told Ambassador Holbrooke that he had developed a
strong relationship with Karzai, and that he, more than any
other diplomat, could speak openly and candidly to Karzai.
Eide conceded that he was not achieving any improved
relations between Karzai and the internationals. Eide had
recently told Karzai he saw three paths forward on Karzai's
relations with the international community: (1) he turns
around relations; (2) he continues to confront the
internationals; or (3) he considers how long he wishes to
stay in office.
3. (C) Eide, nevertheless, assessed that there were no
obvious alternative leaders to replace Karzai. Eide thought
no non-Pashtuns could win. He believed Atmar was the
strongest leader and administrator in the country, but agreed
Atmar would not run as long as Karzai was a candidate for
reelection. Eide believed no expatriate Afghans, citing
Ashraf Ghani and Ali Jallali specifically, would have a
chance to win any popular support.
4. (U) Ambassador Holbrooke's party cleared this message.
DELL