Iran uses cash, influence to shape Afghan election blocs

Iranian diplomats-cum-spies are using every means to form manageable political teams to run for president in Afghanistan’s April 5 2014 election.

Sources who attended several secretive meetings, mostly held in the houses of political heavyweights in Kabul over the past two months, say Iranian sources offer cash – hundreds of thousands of dollars – to buy allegiance and partnerships for pro-Iran groups. The sources said the Iranian agents also use political tactics to form alliances, sway positioning among certain political elites and shape the overall pre-vote election landscape.

Tehran’s influence is particularly ripe in the camps of Shia political groups in Afghanistan. Shia-Hazara leaders like Mohammad Muhaqiq and Karim Khalili are said to be regularly receiving “counseling” from the Iranians.

Non-Shias like Gen. Dostum and Atta Mohammad Noor have also received similar “counseling” in their election jockeying.

Two sources who attended several meetings in the infamous Shirpor mansions in Kabul said Iranian cash has been used to buy allegiance from Pashtun and Tajik political parties and influential figures including government ministers and members of parliament.

Cash and promises of future political rewards such as state ministries and governorships have been used so generously that some parties have received multiple offers making it difficult for them to decide and thus delaying candidates’ official registration. The registration started on September 16 and will end on October 6. As of September 26, 10 days before the process is set to expire, only one independent candidate has registered.

Bargaining and pricing for partnership and allegiance are handled by “envoys” but directly and promptly reported to the “leaders” of different political blocs for approval, the sources said. Iran has a history of paying cash to Afghan politicians and even has thrown cash-bags into the office of President Karzai.

It is unclear who Tehran favors to succeed President Karzai next year but a friendly government in Kabul, which could safeguard and promote Iran’s interests in Afghanistan, is highly desired.

The Americans are said to be disassociated and absent in the Shirpor secretive meetings. Washington has pinned all hope on signing a highly-politicized bilateral security agreement with President Karzai before he leaves office next April - perhaps, in anticipation that the next Afghan president might be worse than Karzai.