Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD2793
2005-07-01 15:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

FORMER IIG MINISTER SAMARA'I SEEKS TRACTION BY

Tags:  PGOV PINS PTER IZ 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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).

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