SUNNI ARAB PARTY SECGEN AL-HASHIMI COMPLAINS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 005135 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PNAT IZ SUBJECT: SUNNI ARAB PARTY SECGEN AL-HASHIMI COMPLAINS OF CORRUPT ELECTION OVERSIGHT Classified By: Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for reaso ns 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) General Secretary Tariq al-Hashimi told PolCouns December 26, the Tawafuq, a Sunni Arab coalition, has evidence of corruption within the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI). Al-Hashimi maintained IECI officials, including staff investigating election improprieties, are themselves corrupt. He added an IECI insider told him December 25 the Tawafuq won 60 seats in the Council of Representatives, but now the IECI is reluctant to release these election results. ¶2. (C) Al-Hashimi told POLCOUNS the IIP will negotiate with Kurdish officials to attempt to form a broader coalition, but that the IIP must first coordinate with Khalif al Ayan, leader of the National Dialogue Council, and Adnan Duleimi, leader of the Iraqi People's Conference, both member parties of the Tawafuq. ¶3. (C) Comment. Al-Hashimi appears to be fully engaged in an effort to forge a broader coalition among Sunni Arab and Kurds. This certainly does not preclude an eventual unity government with the UIC, but Al-Hashimi sees the need to join with other non-Shi'a parties to better balance any talks with the stronger and more imposing UIC. KHALILZAD