Cablegate: Prt Kandahar: Women Protest Kidnapping of Amcit

VZCZCXRO5584
RR RUEHIK RUEHPW RUEHYG
DE RUEHBUL #0251 0310407
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310407Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2607
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC

UNCLAS KABUL 000251

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A
NSC FOR WOOD
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CG CJTF-82 POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS AF
SUBJECT: PRT KANDAHAR: WOMEN PROTEST KIDNAPPING OF AMCIT

1. (U) Approximately 500-600 women demonstrated in Kandahar
City on January 29 to protest the January 25 kidnapping of
American Cydney Mizell, who was working for an international
NGO in Kandahar. In addition to calling for the immediate
release of Mizell and her Afghan driver, demonstrators urged
mullahs to condemn the kidnapping and speak out on women's
rights. The women also urged foreigners to stay in close
contact with the GIRoA for their protection. The
demonstration received both international and local media
coverage.

2. (SBU) The event was prompted by Kandahar Governor Khalid's
January 28 meeting with the Director of Women's Affairs and
several female members of the Provincial Council. Governor
Khalid charged each of the women with gathering "like-minded"
women to attend the demonstration. The Governor also
arranged to pay for use of the private hall where the
demonstration was held.

3. (SBU) Comment: Governor Khalid is under pressure from
President Karzai to resolve the kidnapping and realizes he
must be seen to be acting to address the issue. While the
women's demonstration may have been pre-planned rather than
spontaneous to create an impression of widespread public
concern, there is no doubt that the Governor, Provincial
Police Chief, NDS Director, and all of their subordinates
desperately want to resolve the kidnapping and are doing
everything in their power to accomplish this goal.
WOOD

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