CANADIAN PM WELCOMES AFGHAN RUN-OFF ELECTION

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000801 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV AF CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN PM WELCOMES AFGHAN RUN-OFF ELECTION ¶1. (U) Summary: Prime Minister Harper on October 20 expressed pleasure that both leading Afghan presidential candidates had recognized the need for a run-off election, encouraged the people of Afghanistan to participate in the second round of elections, and reiterated Canada's continued support. He had earlier telephoned President Karzai, urging him "to maintain an unqualified commitment to the constitutional democratic process in Afghanistan." End summary. ¶2. (U) On October 20, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal statement on the release of the official certified results by the Afghan Independent Election Commission. The statement expressed pleasure that the two remaining presidential candidates acknowledged the need for a run-off election "in the best interests of Afghan democracy," underscoring that "Canada has consistently stated that all parties must respect the Afghan electoral process and the Afghan constitution." Affirming that "our goal in Afghanistan is to help Afghans rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society," PM Harper underscored that "it is particularly important that these elections are an Afghan-led process." PM Harper encouraged the people of Afghanistan to participate in the second round of elections, and confirmed Canada's continued support of the process. (Full text in para 5.) ¶3. (U) PM Harper had telephoned President Karzai on the afternoon of October 19, according to the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Dimitri Soudas. PM Harper urged President Karzai "to maintain an unqualified commitment to the constitutional democratic process in Afghanistan" and "noted that Canada and the international community have strongly supported the rebuilding of Afghanistan under President Karzai, the first democratically national leader in the country's history." President Karzai reportedly asked PM Harper "to convey to Canadians his [Karzai's] continuing gratitude for the sacrifices made by Canada for the future of his country." ¶4. (U) Canadian media also cited remarks by an unidentified "senior official" that PM Harper had firmly advised Karzai that, if he tried to govern without a legal mandate, Karzai would face dire problems, not just with Canada, but with the entire international community. ¶5. (U) The text of the October 20 statement follows: "The Government of Canada acknowledges the final results released today by the Independent Election Commission for the 2009 Afghan Presidential Elections. We are pleased that both candidates recognized the need for a run-off election in the best interests of Afghan democracy. Canada has consistently stated that all parties must respect the Afghan electoral process and the Afghan constitution. While the first round of elections was not without controversy, it is important to remember how far Afghanistan has come since the fall of the Taliban regime. Our goal in Afghanistan is to help Afghans rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society. Canada continues to lend our support as Afghans proceed into the second round of elections. This is an important step in the country's ongoing transition to democracy. It is particularly important that these elections are an Afghan-led process. We encourage the people of Afghanistan to actively participate and vote in this second round of elections. We continue to encourage the Afghan government and the IEC to set the necessary conditions for a secure, transparent and inclusive second round of elections." Qfor a secure, transparent and inclusive second round of elections." End text JACOBSON