Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD4967
2005-12-13 07:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

ALLAWI ALLY JANABI ON ELECTION PROSPECTS

Tags:  PGOV PNAT PTER PHUM 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 004967 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PGOV PNAT PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: ALLAWI ALLY JANABI ON ELECTION PROSPECTS

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004967

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PGOV PNAT PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: ALLAWI ALLY JANABI ON ELECTION PROSPECTS

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


1. (C) Saad Al-Janabi, head of the Iraqi Republican
Group running under Ayad Allawi's National Iraqi List
coalition, told Poloffs that he hopes the coalition
will win at least 43 seats, despite expected ballot
stuffing and other irregularities on behalf of the
Shi'a and Kurdish coalitions. In an unsigned
editorial in his As-Siyada newspaper, Janabi repeated
reports that Iranian pilgrims coming to Najaf carried
fake Iraqi passports, ostensibly to allow them to vote
illegally on December 15. (Note: Legally, voters whose
names do not appear on voter rolls are unable to vote,
unless they can prove that they are registered. End
Note). He believes the Allawi coalition will do very
well in Ninewa and Kirkuk, especially in tribal areas.
Janabi became visibly annoyed when Poloff asked about
"rent at tribe" -- reports that tribes are being paid
for their votes. He explained that there is nothing
wrong in reimbursing tribal leaders for costs incurred
in organizing meetings of members to discuss the
election and to provide these members with small
gifts. It is an Arab custom, explained Janabi and
cannot be equated with buying votes.


2. (C) Janabi, a key Allawi lieutenant in the election
campaign, said that the biggest problem in Iraq today
is not security as most people believe, but the lack
of a political culture, caused in part by the
deprivations that followed the Coalition occupation
and the resultant insurgency and sectarian violence.
So rather than debate platforms and campaign themes,
some political parties are resorting to defamation,
character assassination and violence. Primitive
methods of tearing down or defacing campaign posters
are common. The IECI must be especially vigilant to
prevent any tampering of the election, said Janabi,
and observers are key to the effort.


3. (C) Chances for an Allawi-formed coalition
government are good, said Janabi, hinting at
agreements with both the Tawafog and Kurdish
coalitions. He said his Iraqi Republican Group will
merge with Allawi's National Accord after the
election. Though Janabi said he is being touted to
head either the Defense or Interior Ministries in the
new government, he would prefer the post of Minister
of Communication. Janabi claimed he is considered a
palatable choice for the Defense or Interior post by
both Sunnis and Shi'a. Janabi also claimed that Sunni
Arab hard liner and Muslim Ulema Council leader Harith
al-Dari, a close friend of Janabi's father (whom
Janabi calls "uncle'"),gave Janabi his seal of
approval in a side conversation at Arab League's
preparatory conference in Cairo last month.


4. (C) Janabi has a budding media empire, all run from
his palace (one of the four palaces extensively
refurbished - formerly occupied by Saddam's daughters
and claimed by Janabi since they sit on land
expropriated from the family by Saddam). The Al-
Rashid radio and television station broadcast in a 40
km radius around Baghdad and he has plans to expand
into other cities in Iraq. His "As-Siyada" newspaper,
distributed in Baghdad, published 50,000 copies daily
and he publishes an English language weekly called the
Baghdad Mirror.


5. (C) Comment: Saad al-Janabi's family owns
properties in Baghdad, including in the International
Zone. His money is helping in the Allawi campaign.
His seeking the Communications Ministry might be
connected to his own business interests. The
challenge for business-oriented people like Saad
Janabi is to learn how to represent broader interests
of their communities instead of personal and family
business interests. This likely will be a long
process.
KHALILZAD