P 250852Z AUG 09
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8394
INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
USDOC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMCONSUL SHANGHAI
AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 
AIT TAIPEI 0394
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS HONG KONG 001609 
 
 
DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, INR/IC/CD, I/FW 
DEPT FOR EAP/PD, EAP/CM, EAP/P 
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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO
SUBJECT: MEDIA RECTION: AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 
 
TOPIC: Afghan presidential election 
 
HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS: 
 
"The success and failure of Afghan elections will influence U.S. 
strategy" 
 
The pro-PRC Chinese-language Macau Daily News remarked in an 
editorial (8/25):  "...Afghan elections pose a big test to the 
U.S.'s Afghanistan policy.  After taking office, U.S. President 
Obama has shifted his strategic focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and 
Pakistan.  Obama delivered a speech at the White House on August 20, 
congratulating Afghanistan on successful elections.  On August 21, 
he also praised the Afghan elections as a 'major step' for Afghans 
who strive to master their country's future.  Obama praised Afghan 
voters for showing courage in the face of the Taliban's threat.  He 
hoped that the elections will rightly show Afghans' will.  Although 
the U.S. administration has avoided commenting on the Afghan 
presidential election candidates, there is no doubt that the U.S. 
hopes the next Afghan government can cooperate better with the 
U.S....  Obama's strategy is to gradually reduce the number of U.S. 
troops and NATO allied forces in Afghanistan by the end of next year 
and shift the responsibility of security to Afghan troops.  Hence, 
it is important for the situation to take a better turn in the 
coming year in order to start many reconstruction projects. 
Political stability is a must for reconstruction projects and a 
legitimate government will bring about political stability.  Thus, 
the success of the presidential election will increase the 
legitimacy of the government, which is closely related to the 
success and failure of Obama's Afghan strategy." 
 
MARUT