Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09WARSAW768
2009-07-24 12:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:
POLES CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF RIGGED
how-toVZCZCXRO5654 OO RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHWR #0768 2051223 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241223Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8667 INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1449
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000768
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE, EUR/RPM (COPE),AND SCA/A (VIEHE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR PL AF
SUBJECT: POLES CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF RIGGED
ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 74362
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Anthony M. Kolankiewicz for R
easons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000768
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE, EUR/RPM (COPE),AND SCA/A (VIEHE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR PL AF
SUBJECT: POLES CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF RIGGED
ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 74362
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Anthony M. Kolankiewicz for R
easons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Poland is prepared to consider increased assistance
for Afghanistan after the August presidential elections, but
the GoP is worried that the 20 August contest might already
be rigged in favor of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.
Roman Strzemiecki of the MFA's Asia and Pacific Department
said the Poles were already thinking about how they might
increase assistance to Afghanistan in the post-electoral
period, especially for civil reconstruction and development
programs, and would welcome specific U.S. suggestions. He
noted that General Franciszek Gagor, Chief of the General
Staff, was currently on a visit to Afghanistan and would
likely return with some proposals for the way ahead.
2. (C) Strzemiecki warned, however, that failure to hold
credible elections next month could jeopardize increased
Polish support. Reporting from the Polish mission in Kabul
suggested that former FM Abdullah Abdullah was gaining on
Karzai and could prompt the Afghan President's supporters to
look for ways to ensure that he was re-elected, a prospect
that he intimated was already underway. Strzemiecki
emphasized that Warsaw did not oppose Karzai but, like the
U.S., the GoP believed that instilling public confidence in
Afghanistan's institutions was crucial for that country's
long-term stability. If the elections were perceived as less
than credible, Strzemiecki thought that many donor countries
would be discouraged from further assistance.
ASHE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE, EUR/RPM (COPE),AND SCA/A (VIEHE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR PL AF
SUBJECT: POLES CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF RIGGED
ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 74362
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Anthony M. Kolankiewicz for R
easons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Poland is prepared to consider increased assistance
for Afghanistan after the August presidential elections, but
the GoP is worried that the 20 August contest might already
be rigged in favor of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.
Roman Strzemiecki of the MFA's Asia and Pacific Department
said the Poles were already thinking about how they might
increase assistance to Afghanistan in the post-electoral
period, especially for civil reconstruction and development
programs, and would welcome specific U.S. suggestions. He
noted that General Franciszek Gagor, Chief of the General
Staff, was currently on a visit to Afghanistan and would
likely return with some proposals for the way ahead.
2. (C) Strzemiecki warned, however, that failure to hold
credible elections next month could jeopardize increased
Polish support. Reporting from the Polish mission in Kabul
suggested that former FM Abdullah Abdullah was gaining on
Karzai and could prompt the Afghan President's supporters to
look for ways to ensure that he was re-elected, a prospect
that he intimated was already underway. Strzemiecki
emphasized that Warsaw did not oppose Karzai but, like the
U.S., the GoP believed that instilling public confidence in
Afghanistan's institutions was crucial for that country's
long-term stability. If the elections were perceived as less
than credible, Strzemiecki thought that many donor countries
would be discouraged from further assistance.
ASHE