CYPRUS: GOVERNMENT SHARES USG VIEWS ON AFGHAN

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000539 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL PGOV AF CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: GOVERNMENT SHARES USG VIEWS ON AFGHAN ELECTIONS REF: STATE 83031 ¶1. (SBU) On August 17, Charge shared reftel points on upcoming Afghan elections with MFA Political Director Rea Yiordamlis, emphasizing the need for credibility of the process, a legitimate outcome, and the impartiality of the USG. Yiordamlis welcomed the USG position and expressed broad agreement with this message, particularly on the need for crediblity. Yiordamlis said that Cyprus, like the US, wants to see fair elections that result in a legitimate outcome. While acknowledging that the security situation in Afghanistan is "difficult" -- and that this could have a negative effect on the elections -- Yiordamlis nevertheless hoped that violence would subside. Cohen