Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD4857
2005-12-05 19:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS TALK DE-BA'ATH

Tags:  PNAT PGOV PTER 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.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004857 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2015
TAGS: PNAT PGOV PTER KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS TALK DE-BA'ATH

REF: BAGHDAD 4722

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004857

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2015
TAGS: PNAT PGOV PTER KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS TALK DE-BA'ATH

REF: BAGHDAD 4722

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary. A total of 181 candidate names have been
included by the De-Ba'athification Commission in lists sent
to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI). So
far, 24 of these candidates have been withdrawn from the
lists either by themselves or their parties. IECI
Commissioners are troubled about next steps and are under
tight time pressures to make a decision by December 8.
Poloffs continue to voice strong concerns to Commissioners
about the politicization and lack of evidence associated with
the de-Ba'athification lists. The strongest proponent for
disqualifying candidates is IECI Chief Electoral Officer Adil
Allami. Other members appear conflicted, but unwilling to
rule out disqualifying candidates. End Summary.

--------------
181 IDENTIFIED, 24 WITHDRAW
--------------


2. (C) As of December 4, the de-Ba'athification Commission
has identified 181 candidate names as being subject to the
de-Ba'ath process. No further names are expected to be added.
The IECI has notified the affected parties that the
de-Ba'athification Commission has identified these names
(reftel). 24 candidates have been withdrawn either by
themselves or by their parties and replaced with other names.

--------------
COMMISSIONERS DIVIDED ON NEXT STEPS
--------------


3. (C) Poloffs have repeatedly engaged IECI Commissioners,
including both the Iraqi members and International
Commissioner Craig Jenness, on this issue (septel). Several
IECI Commissioners claim to be conflicted as to how they will
respond to the de-Ba'athification issue. IECI Chairman Izadin
Al-Mohamady, a Sunni Turcoman from Kirkuk, told Poloffs
December 2 that, although he believed the de-Ba'athification
Commission was using this list as a political tool, he did
not believe the IECI could extricate itself from its legal
obligations to disqualify candidates. Commissioner Safwat
Sidqi expressed similar concerns later that evening. Sidqi,
who is a Sunni Kurd and lawyer by training, said that legally
he felt that his hands were tied. Politically, he added, the
de-Ba'athification issue was like a "hot potato" that had
been thrown at the IECI, and was causing him much angst.
(Note: in a
later more confidential conversation, Sidqi told US and UK
Poloffs that he had sent a letter to TNA members suggesting
the matter be passed to the Council of Representatives. End
Note.) Commissioner Abdulhussein Al-Hindawi told Poloff
December 3 that he was unsure of the IECI's next step. He
appeared troubled by the upcoming decision that the IECI
would have to make, but was unwilling to commit himself to a
position.


4. (C) In contrast, Chief Electoral Officer Adil Allami, an
Arab Shiite and non-voting member of the IECI Board, told
Poloff that he was a proponent of disqualifying candidates,
especially if the candidate does not contest the
De-Ba'athification charges within the three-day period
allotted by the IECI (reftel). As the operations officer, he
is concerned with coming to a resolution in time so that
candidate lists may be published by December 8.


5. (C) The remaining four Commissioners are traveling to OCV
sites. The most avid Commissioner against de-listing
candidates is IECI spokesman Dr. Farid Ayar, currently
visiting London OCV operations. Dr. Ayar told Poloff on
November 20 that the IECI would never de-list candidates and
that he would vehemently oppose such an action. In a November
28 interview with the Al-Malaf website, Ayar re-affirmed that
the IECI would not delist candidates on De'Ba'athification
grounds. (Note: Ayar is perceived as somewhat of a loose
cannon in that he is known give his opinions about a topic
even if they run contrary to Board decisions. End note.)


6. (C) COMMENT. With the deadline approaching for publishing
candidate names, the Board will be unable to further delay a
decision. They most likely will make a decision by Tuesday,
December 6. Despite having conflicted feelings about this
issue and acknowledging concerns raised by Poloffs, many IECI
Commissioners feel bound by their understanding of election
law to seriously consider candidate disqualification.
Without the overpowering influence of Dr. Ayar, the
Commissioners will most likely be influenced by Adil Allami
who is not conflicted about De-Ba'athification and is driven
by operational concerns. Although a non-voting member of the
Board, Adil is a vocal and persuasive member. He is also the
Chief of Operations and has the ability and political will to
instruct his staff handling the candidate lists on how to
proceed. END COMMENT.
KHALILZAD