Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN6122
2003-09-23 15:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

MODERATE IRAQI PARTIES SEEK CPA PARTICIPATION IN

Tags:  PGOV PHUM SOCI JO 
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231551Z Sep 03
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006122 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2013
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI JO
SUBJECT: MODERATE IRAQI PARTIES SEEK CPA PARTICIPATION IN
BAGHDAD CONFERENCE


Classified By: DCM David M. Hale for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006122

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2013
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI JO
SUBJECT: MODERATE IRAQI PARTIES SEEK CPA PARTICIPATION IN
BAGHDAD CONFERENCE


Classified By: DCM David M. Hale for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) Jamal Rifai, member of Jordan's al Mustaqbel Party and
freelance journalist, told us September 22 that there will be
a conference September 25 in Baghdad including 17 Iraqi
political parties. Rifai outlined his involvement with the
Iraqi Salam party and its participation in the conference,
which he hoped the CPA would both attend and support. End
Summary.

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SALAM PARTY - LEAD ORGANIZER
--------------


2. (U) According to Rifai, the Salam (Peace) party, organized
the conference to allow Iraqis a "moderate" choice in the
muddled political landscape of Iraq. The party, he claimed,
is composed of Kurds, Shi'a and Sunnis. The party slogan is
"Iraq is our identity, Peace is our choice". Their platform
favors freedom of the press and speech, full rights for women
and children, demilitarization of Iraqi society, canceling
the military draft, and depoliticization and establishment of
a national Iraqi army. It further favors separation of
religion and politics and rejects involvement of religious
clerics in political life. The Salam party platform respects
the U.S. role in liberating Iraq and accepts the presence of
coalition forces in Iraq until an Iraqi government and army
is in place.

-------------- ---
CONFERENCE GOAL: REACH OUT TO IRAQIS AND THE CPA
-------------- ---


3. (U) Rifai related how past attempts to initiate dialogue
between the 17 party coalition and the Coalition Provisional
Authority (CPA) have failed. He said Salam party leader,
Saleh Abu Khumrah, wonders why the CPA seems to favor
dialogue with what they deem as "outside" political parties
that don't enjoy the support of average Iraqis and cannot
ensure future stability and security in Iraq. Rifai added
that all the major news organizations based in Baghdad have
been invited to cover the conference.

--------------
CONFERENCE FACTS
--------------


4. (U) The conference is scheduled for September 25 at the
Sheraton Hotel's "Tamuz" room. According to Rifai, about 250
delegates from all over Iraq are expected, and invitations
have been sent to Amb. Bremer and other CPA officials. Rifai
added that these delegates were taking a big risk by reaching
out to the CPA and were in need of both "moral" and
"political" support.

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COMMENT
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5. (C) We cannot vouch for Jamal Rifai, and the Mustaqbel
Party is not a major political player in Jordan. We pass on
this information for the record.


6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
GNEHM