GRAND AYATOLLAH SISTANI CALLS FOR U.S. SUPPORT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003155

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2015
TAGS: PGOV KISL PREL IZ
SUBJECT: GRAND AYATOLLAH SISTANI CALLS FOR U.S. SUPPORT TO
RESOLVE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. National Security Adviser Ruba'i relayed
Grand Ayatollah SISTANI's views on the constitution to
Ambassador on July 29. SISTANI feels only a governorate
district proportional representation electoral system will
produce a just result. He wants Iraq to adopt the Afghan
constitution "word for word," and to do this by the August 15
deadline. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) National Security Adviser Ruba'i told Ambassador on
July 29 that Grand Ayatollah SISTANI feels that Kurdish
factions oppose the electoral system's governorate-based
districts for the allocation of seats in parliament. SISTANI
believes that only the United States can successfully press
the Kurds to change their position and support
governorate-based districts because the Kurds, SISTANI said,
have undue influence over Allawi and the speaker of
parliament. SISTANI cited Massoud Barzani as the greatest
obstacle to change.


3. (C) According to Ruba'i, SISTANI feels a nationwide
single-district system would over-represent the Kurds. This
would produce an unbalanced result lasting four years, and
SISTANI would "reject this decision as unjust." Shia Arab
leaders would not allow this outcome. "This is a redline, he
said." Shia and Sunni Arabs would be "seriously"
underrepresented, and this would contribute to greater
violence. He noted that this is "a pivotal issue for us" and
that it would affect the stability of the country. Shia
leaders are working quietly to convince others to support
them. SISTANI further explained that Shia Arab religious
leaders endorsed a slate in the last election because of the
use of the single national-district system instead of a
governorate-based one. When asked by Ambassador whether he
should interpret the message to mean that, if all parties
accept a governorate-based system, the marja'iya would
refrain from endorsing a slate in the December elections,
Ruba'i replied affirmatively.


4. (C) According to Ruba'i, SISTANI said that he had read
Afghanistan's new constitution twice and that he would accept
the formula in that document on the role of Islam and Sharia
"word for word." Ruba'i also said SISTANI affirmed that he
wished to see the constitutional draft, referendum, and
election completed according to the TAL timeline, with no
delays.


5. (C) Although other major Iraqi leaders are coming to
Baghdad to reach final agreement on the constitution, SISTANI
will not. Ruba'i discussed two options with SISTANI's son,
Mohammed Ridha, to receive SISTANI's input: SISTANI could
either open a direct channel to Ambassador Khalilzad or he
could communicate indirectly with the Ambassador through his
son. Ruba'i told the Ambassador that the Iraqi side would
come back with a proposal the evening of July 30.


6. (U) REO HILLA, REO BASRA, REO MOSUL, and REO KIRKUK,
Minimize considered.
Khalilzad