MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 15th

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 005125 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P E.0. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 15th ELECTION, TRANSPARENCY; BAGHDAD SUMMARY: The major themes in today's editorials were Iraq's parliamentary elections and the formation of the forthcoming government. Independent Az-Zaman published a second-page column entitled "The National Assembly, Government and the End of Service," in which the author criticizes government performance and decision-making. The editorial argues that security and basic services have deteriorated during the current government's term in office. In contrast, the SCIRI- affiliated Al-Adala published a third-page editorial entitled "Economic Success," which focuses on the economic accomplishments of the current government and praises the role of Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi for taking the lead in canceling most of Iraq's debts when he served as Finance Minister under Allawi's government. Independent Al-Mashriq published a back-page editorial entitled "Voice.Action and a Man Worried about Iraq," in which the author contends that it is better for Iraq at the current stage to be led by moderate politicians. Independent Democratic Al-Wifaq published a front-page editorial entitled "Can the Next Government Adopt an Iraqi National Program?" The article highlights the Iraqi elections and current political developments in the country, discussing the formation of the new parliament and the political conflicts likely to emerge. END SUMMARY. -------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS -------------- ¶A. "Our Attitude Regarding Election Results" (At-Taakhi, 12/26) ¶B. "Ali Baba's Cave" (Al-Fourat, 12/26) ¶C. "The Language of Blood" (Al-Bayyan, 12/26) ¶D. "A Good Lesson" (Rayat Al-Arab, 12/26) -------------- SELECTED COMMENTARIES -------------- ¶A. "Our Attitude Regarding Election Results" (At-Taakhi, affiliated with the KDP, led by Masood Al- Barzani, published a front-page editorial by editor in chief Dr. Badr Khan Al-Sindi about the Kurdish perspective regarding preliminary election results. The editorial reads in part) "The Kurdish attitude has always been sensible and very determined to make the electoral process successful. The Kurdish attitude proved again to be moderate and capable of correcting mistakes. The Kurdish opinion concerning establishing a [broad-based] national unity government represents the best solution for the new Iraq." ¶B. "Ali Baba's Cave" (Al-Fourat, independent, anti-coalition, published a back- page editorial by Dawoud Al-Farhan about U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's recent visit to Iraq. The editorial reads in part) "Like the thieves who sneaked into Ali Baba's cave, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney paid a surprise visit to Iraq. Moreover, the Iraqi president and prime minister were sent to a meeting with the U.S. ambassador; they were surprised to see Cheney sitting in the meeting room. Iraq is the only country that does not know who will be visiting in advance. Unfortunately, Iraqis were unable to welcome Cheney because they found out about it after he had left the country. I think Cheney should have visited the cities of Tal Afar, Fallujah, Qaim and Ramadi to see what the U.S. forces did. Additionally, he should see how Iraqi human rights have prospered under the `American Liberation.'" ¶C. "The Language of Blood" (Al-Bayyan, affiliated with the Islamic Ad-Dawa Party, led by Al-Ja'fari, published a fifth-page editorial by Salim Rasoul about election complaints. The editorial reads in part) "Some political entities think that they deserve more.regarding [parliamentary] seats. For this reason, they submitted complaints to the IECI. But it is important to remember that nobody has the authority to interfere with the IECI's work. Those complaints used the language of blood. This should be rejected because it is at odds with the principles of good citizenry. We heard some Iraqi politicians threaten to shed blood if their demands were not implemented. In fact, the election was considered honest according to the United Nations' representatives. Those representatives said that the number of complaints submitted to the IECI do not justify repeating the election. It seems that there are still groups that believe in the culture of the Ba'th Party, which marginalized and eliminated opponents." ¶D. "A Good Lesson" (Rayat Al-Arab, affiliated with the Arab Nationalist Trend in Iraq, published a front-page unattributed editorial about the election. The editorial reads in part) "The preliminary results of the election shocked most of the electoral lists, except the UIA and the Kurdish Coalition, both of which knew how to win the election. Those two entities control the security in the country and they both have armed militias. In addition, they have the capabilities to intimidate and deceive voters. Those who have been shocked by the results of the election must learn an important lesson. We believe that the electoral process and its mistakes are a useful experiment from which to learn. But is it a good time to learn from these lessons? Do we have to use more time, which will result in more sacrifices and more blood so that we can be awakened? The answer to this question will emerge in the forthcoming days." KHALILZAD