Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD3629
2005-09-05 06:44:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

SUNNI MODERATE GHAZI AL-YAWR DISCUSSES

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KISL KDEM 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.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003629 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KISL KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI MODERATE GHAZI AL-YAWR DISCUSSES
CONSTITUTION WITH AMBASSADOR

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

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003629

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KISL KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI MODERATE GHAZI AL-YAWR DISCUSSES
CONSTITUTION WITH AMBASSADOR

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


1. (C) Summary. In separate meetings on September 1 and 3,
the Ambassador, urged Deputy President Ghazi al-Yawr to
actively support the new constitution. Al-Yawar was pleased
with the latest draft, but stressed that the changes must be
put before the Iraqi public. Noting that he had just spoken
to Arab League SYG Amr Mousa, al-Yawr said that Mousa was
pleased with additional language in the draft affirming
Iraq's commitment to the Arab League Charter. He, however,
had remaining questions regarding state control over oil and
gas resources and how regional governments will be
represented overseas. Al-Yawr promised to encourage other
Sunni Arabs to publicly support the draft by September 12.
End Summary.

-------------- --------------
September 1: The Constitution has come a long way
-------------- --------------


2. On September 1, Al-Yawr expressed appreciation for USG
efforts on behalf of a balanced constitution, and said that
while the current version of the document is not perfect, it
has many good points and is worthy of Sunni Arab support. He
observed that the current draft of the constitution is
considerably better than the version of a month ago.
Nevertheless, adding that Iraqis see things in "black and
white," al-Yawr said that moderate Sunni leaders such as
himself need to avoid embracing the constitution in order to
prevent attacks on their credibility. "If I defend the
constitution," he said, "I shall be seen as pro-U.S. (i.e.,
not pro-constitution)" At the same time, al-Yawr pledged to
encourage Sunnis not to be "reactionary" but to participate
in Iraq's political process, including upcoming elections.


3. (C) Al-Yawr said that the issue of constitutional
reference to Iraq's Arab identity was much more important for
Sunni Arabs than the language on federalism. He said that
for Sunnis, this reference was a matter of "our history and
our culture," not our ethnicity. He said that if Iraq's Arab
identity were adequately mentioned in the constitution, he
could marshal the support of at least 300,000 of his Ninewah
province constituents. Al-Yawr said that National Dialogue

politicians such as Spokesman Saleh Mutlak deserve criticism
for obstructionism. However, he stressed that it would be
wrong to exclude the Dialogue members from the constitutional
discussion. To do so, he warned, would attract even more
hard-line Sunnis to their side.


4. (C) Al-Yawr discussed gloomily his concerns about growing
Sunni-Shia polarization. He stressed the importance of a
resolution to the situation in Tal Afar (septel). He said
that inter-sectarian tensions in the city were strengthening
the hand of both Sunni and Shia hardliners. He also warned
that cases of Sunnis being murdered with impunity threaten to
become an "epidemic" in Baghdad. He noted that in many of
these incidents, the perpetrators were either Iraqi police or
dressed to appear as such, implying Shia responsibility. He
said that many Sunni believe the Shia are trying to drive
them out of Baghdad. Asked whether Interior Minister Bayan
Jabor was capable of turning this situation around, al-Yawr
said "diplomatically" that Jabor's thinking is too
"sectarian," making it hard for him to be objective.


5. (C) Al-Yawr said that many Sunni Arabs in western Ninewah
province feel that they have not had adequate access to voter
registration centers and fear equal difficulties on election
day. He asked the Ambassador to engage the Election
Commission to ensure that Sunnis do not have to travel into
Kurdish controlled towns or villages in order to participate
in the electoral process.

-------------- --------------
September 3: Ready to Encourage Support on the Draft
-------------- --------------


6. (C) In a follow-on meeting September 3, Ghazi reaffirmed
his commitment to support the Constitution, but expressed
some concern over three remaining issues: Arab identity, the
ability of regions to open overseas offices and control of
natural resources. Al-Yawr said there was progress in the
area of Arab identity, and that he believes this issue is the
primary concern of most Sunnis. Noting that he had just
spoken with Amr Mousa, Ghazi said the Arab League SYG had
agreed to support language in the draft constitution that
would affirm Iraq's commitment to the Arab League Charter.
Claiming that in Germany and Ireland Kurdistan Regional
Government offices issue notaries and visas, al-Yawr asked
for clarification on whether this practice could continue.
The Ambassador agreed to raise this issue with the Kurds.
Al-Yawr said the formula for state control over resources is
a problem. The Ambassador reviewed the present formula and
suggested al-Yawr reread the text carefully, specifically the
section that ensures that oil and gas resources belong to all
the people of Iraq.


7. (C) The Ambassador urged al-Yawr to press Sunni Arabs to
narrow their demands to realistic changes, perhaps two or
three. Al-Yawr responded that he would meet with other Sunni
politicians shortly and promised to hold a press conference
with other Sunnis offering support of the Constitution by
September 12.
Khalilzad