FORMER IIG MINISTER SAMARA'I SEEKS TRACTION BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002793 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2025 TAGS: PGOV PINS PTER IZ SUBJECT: FORMER IIG MINISTER SAMARA'I SEEKS TRACTION BY LEGITIMIZING RESISTANCE Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Former Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) Minister of Electricity Ayham al-Samara'i is trying to forge a name by organizing a political party understood to have ties to insurgent groups. At a June 29 press conference, Samara'i justified these groups "resisting the occupation by all available means". Another Sunni leader discounts Samarai's ability to gain traction with this approach since Samara'i was a previous member of the government. We intend to meet with Samara'i and raise our strong disagreement with his comments in the next few days. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Former Iraqi Interim Government Minister of Electricity and previous Dr. Pachachi-ally Ayham al- Samarai formed the "National Council for Unity and Reconstruction of Iraq" on 29 June. Among the council's stated aims was an acknowledgement of the "people's right to resist the occupation by all available means, a right enshrined in heavenly and worldly system." Samarai described the setup in Iraq as an "unlawful military occupation... continuous blatant violation of Iraqi human rights...and increasing suffering of the Iraqi people over the past two years of occupation." In addition, Samarai distinguished between the "legitimate Iraqi resistance" and terrorism, which the council rejected. ¶3. (C/NF) Sunni National Dialogue Council member Saleh al-Mutlak remarked to PolOff 1 July that although he is a friend of Samarai's, he does not approve of the means by which Samarai is trying to make a name for himself. Mutlak noted how Samarai benefited from the Coalition through his appointment to the Minister of Electricity position in the IIG and was accused of one of the most corrupt officials in the government. Mutlak doubted Samarai would get any traction through the council since the people viewed him as corrupt and as a member of the former government. ¶4. (C/NF) Comment: We will seek out Samarai to express to him our unequivocal disapproval of his remarks about. ¶5. (U) REO HILLA, REO BASRA, REO MOSUL, and REO KIRKUK, minimize considered. Satterfield