AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES IECI TO ADDRESS CREDIBILITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 005154

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2015
TAGS: PNAT PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES IECI TO ADDRESS CREDIBILITY
ISSUES

REF: BAGHDAD 05131

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a December 28 meeting with eight
commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq
(IECI),the Ambassador urged the IECI to consider how best to
address complaints about the credibility of the election
results. The Ambassador suggested the Commission welcome
outside observers such as the International Mission for Iraqi
Elections (IMIE) to play a more active role as the IECI
continues to sift through and investigate complaints. He
encouraged them to move quickly, making an announcement about
outside observers as soon as possible. The commissioners
generally responded positively to this advice, but noted that
the IECI's process to date has been credible and has been
deemed to be "fair, transparent, and up to international
standards" by both the UN team and international observer
groups. In the IECI press conference later on December 28,
Commissioner Hindawi invited international accredited
organizations to come to Iraq and observe IECI's processing
of electoral complaints. He also invited political entities
to participate in the same endeavor. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On December 28, the Ambassador met with all the IECI
commissioners present in Baghdad (Chairman Izadin
al-Mohammady is currently in Jordan undergoing a heart
operation). During the meeting, the Ambassador congratulated
the commissioners for the IECI's hard work on the elections.
He then emphasized the importance of the IECI's hard work not
being undermined by political party posturing. To address
these credibility issues, he suggested the IECI publicly
welcome involvement from an international group, particularly
IMIE.


3. (C) The commissioners were generally receptive to the idea
that outside international monitors observe the IECI's
complaint and audit investigations. Commissioner Safwat
Sidqi said the IECI has always been open to observers and
will continue to welcome such groups, especially previously
planned IMIE additions coming within the next days.


4. (C) Commissioner Farid Ayar and International Commissioner
Craig Jenness tempered these statements. Jenness cautioned
against creating an impression that this international group
(IMIE) be considered an "inspection" group, hence hinging
public buy-in and certification of the election results on
the production of IMIE's report. The international group
should review the process but not become part of the process
itself, he advised. Ayar was also cautious and noted that
the IECI did not need "outside" experts to affirm the
credibility of the election. He said this type of effort
would cause extra work and time for the Commission.


5. (C) Commissioners Abdulhussein Hindawi, Hamdia al-Hussaini
and Craig Jenness stressed that the IECI conducted a credible
and fair election, as reported by both the UN and observer
groups such as IMIE. They all expressed dissatisfaction with
political party efforts to pressure the IECI and vowed they
would not respond. Commissioner Hindawi noted that
complaints were coming from parties disappointed in the
election results. Commissioner al-Hussaini agreed, saying
that political party attacks on the IECI only began once vote
counts were announced and political parties found themselves
to be "losing".


6. (C) The Ambassador highlighted the importance of building
acceptance of the elections to the widest degree possible and
noted that an international observer group would enhance this
acceptance. The commissioners appeared to accept this
advice, although they also agreed it should be "organized by
the UN". Commissioner al-Hussaini suggested also inviting
the political parties that are complaining to form a
committee and take part in the observation of IECI complaint
adjudication.


7. (C) In their press conference later on December 28,
Commissioner Hindawi invited international accredited
organizations to come to Iraq and observe IECI's processing
of electoral complaints. He also invited political entities
to participate in the same endeavor.
KHALILZAD