Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD3419
2005-08-19 13:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
CADRES IN MAJOR SHIA PARTY IN GOVERNMENT PONDER
how-toThis 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 003419
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2025
TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: CADRES IN MAJOR SHIA PARTY IN GOVERNMENT PONDER
DISSOLVING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IF NO CONSTITUTION DEAL
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003419
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2025
TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: CADRES IN MAJOR SHIA PARTY IN GOVERNMENT PONDER
DISSOLVING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IF NO CONSTITUTION DEAL
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).
1. (C) SUMMARY. A member of one of the Shia Coalition's
member parties told PolOff August 18 that he and many of his
party were in favor of dissolving the TNA if no constitution
is agreed to by August 22. Our contact from the Fadhila
Party said the party itself currently has no official
position on the matter, and party leadership is presently
working with other parties to complete a draft constitution.
END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On August 18 PolOff met with Mohammed Ishmael al
Khuzae, the Fadhila Party,s head of executive management,
head of recruitment, and member of the party,s political
bureau. According to Mohammed, he and many members of the
Fadhila Party are in favor of dissolving the TNA and holding
new elections should there be no agreement on the
constitution by August 22. When PolOff told Mohammed USG is
opposed to dissolving the TNA, Mohammed replied that he
appreciates U.S. efforts to help Iraq, but the TAL must be
respected.
3. (C) Mohammed added there is no official Fadhila Party
position yet, as the party leadership is now actively engaged
in the constitution negotiations. He estimates that 90
percent of the constitution has been agreed upon. The
party,s energy is now focused on completing the draft.
4. (C) Mohammed went on to say that many TNA members would
like to see the TNA dissolved because of their dislike for
the Jafari government. He said the same people who were
opposed to the Jafari government taking office are now the
biggest supporters of dissolving the TNA.
5. (C) COMMENT: Mohammed is a trusted contact of the
Embassy, and we have heard others in the Shia Coalition start
to muse about having early elections if a constitutional deal
is not reached by August 22. Many Kurdish parliamentarians
also speak not too privately about moving to dissolve the
current National Assembly and going to elections if a draft
constitution is not finished by August 22. The Fadhila Party
is on the rise in Iraq and party leadership feels that it
would do well in elections. END COMMENT
Khalilzad
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2025
TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: CADRES IN MAJOR SHIA PARTY IN GOVERNMENT PONDER
DISSOLVING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IF NO CONSTITUTION DEAL
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).
1. (C) SUMMARY. A member of one of the Shia Coalition's
member parties told PolOff August 18 that he and many of his
party were in favor of dissolving the TNA if no constitution
is agreed to by August 22. Our contact from the Fadhila
Party said the party itself currently has no official
position on the matter, and party leadership is presently
working with other parties to complete a draft constitution.
END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On August 18 PolOff met with Mohammed Ishmael al
Khuzae, the Fadhila Party,s head of executive management,
head of recruitment, and member of the party,s political
bureau. According to Mohammed, he and many members of the
Fadhila Party are in favor of dissolving the TNA and holding
new elections should there be no agreement on the
constitution by August 22. When PolOff told Mohammed USG is
opposed to dissolving the TNA, Mohammed replied that he
appreciates U.S. efforts to help Iraq, but the TAL must be
respected.
3. (C) Mohammed added there is no official Fadhila Party
position yet, as the party leadership is now actively engaged
in the constitution negotiations. He estimates that 90
percent of the constitution has been agreed upon. The
party,s energy is now focused on completing the draft.
4. (C) Mohammed went on to say that many TNA members would
like to see the TNA dissolved because of their dislike for
the Jafari government. He said the same people who were
opposed to the Jafari government taking office are now the
biggest supporters of dissolving the TNA.
5. (C) COMMENT: Mohammed is a trusted contact of the
Embassy, and we have heard others in the Shia Coalition start
to muse about having early elections if a constitutional deal
is not reached by August 22. Many Kurdish parliamentarians
also speak not too privately about moving to dissolve the
current National Assembly and going to elections if a draft
constitution is not finished by August 22. The Fadhila Party
is on the rise in Iraq and party leadership feels that it
would do well in elections. END COMMENT
Khalilzad