Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN8405
2003-12-22 19:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

SUNNI ROYALIST IRAQI DISCUSSES SUNNI SENTIMENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV IZ JO 
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221907Z Dec 03
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008405 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: SUNNI ROYALIST IRAQI DISCUSSES SUNNI SENTIMENT


Classified By: DCM David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

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SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008405

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: SUNNI ROYALIST IRAQI DISCUSSES SUNNI SENTIMENT


Classified By: DCM David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

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


1. (C) An Iraqi Sunni contact from the al-Darraji tribe in
Samarra and advisor to the Royal Democratic Coalition party
discussed with PolOff his views on Iraq and the Samarra
region. Echoing a common theme, he claimed that most Iraqi
Sunnis believe that the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA)
is marginalizing them and do not feel properly represented by
the Sunni members on the U.S.-appointed Governing Council.
End Summary.

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SADDAM'S ARREST PROMPTS MIXED FEELINGS
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2. (C) PolOff met December 16 with Salah al-Samirrai, a
Jordan-based Iraqi from the Samarra area and advisor to the
Royal Democratic Coalition political party, who travels often
between Amman and Baghdad. Samarra is one of the
"ambush-prone" Iraqi cities of the "Sunni Triangle."
Al-Samirrai, although happy to see Saddam captured, was also
saddened by what he termed "a weak moment for Iraqis."

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CLASHES IN SAMARRA "SOUR" TRIBAL LEADERS ON U.S. FORCES
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3. (C) According to al-Samirrai, a recent clash between
insurgents in Samarra resulted in the death of approximately
twenty people. Currently, Samirrai confirmed, tribal leaders
in Samarra are upset with coalition forces. He suggested the
U.S. military apologize to them. Sheikhs he spoke to warned
that from now on they would deal "differently" with U.S.
coalition forces.

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SUNNI RESTLESSNESS
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4. (C) Al-Samirrai said CPA-appointed governors are
unrepresentative and seen as "out-of-touch", unresponsive,
inaccessible, and incommunicative by average Iraqis.
Al-Samirrai suggested the tribal leaders/sheikhs themselves
could select representatives from each governorate to
represent the "people". Al-Samirrai added that some Iraqis
believe the U.S. is biased against them because Saddam
Hussein is a Sunni. He said many Sunnis dismiss their
representatives on the Governing Council, labeling Sunni
Naseer al-Chaderchi and Adnan Pachachi as "Turks" and not
real Arabs, and Samir Mahmoud, a Sunni who has lived for
years in London, an "outsider."


5. Al-Samirrai remarked that many Sunnis he has talked to
feel marginalized and threatened by what they term as a
"pro-Shi'a" CPA in Baghdad. This alleged bias, many claim,
has intensified the Sunni-Shi'a distinctions more than Saddam
ever did. Many Sunni contacts stressed the CPA should
reinforce the message that it is not against them and that
they will be equal partners in the rebuilding of Iraq.

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COMMENT
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6. Al-Samirrai's views reflect his royalist affiliation and
Sunni-Shi'a distrust in Iraq. His allegation that the CPA is
biased against Sunni Iraqis would likely be contested by many
outside the Sunni fold. Still, his claims of growing
discontent among tribal leaders in the Samarra region are
worth noting.


7. (C) BIO:

Name: Salah Al-Samirrai
DOB: 1965
Civil Status: Married, one son and six daughters
Tribal Affiliation: al-Darraji tribe
Religion: Sunni
Education: Completed a two-year Electrical engineering degree
Language Capacity: Native Arabic only


8. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.

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http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/
or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM