MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 15th

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 005156 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 the political discussions and conflicts surrounding parliamentary elections, the formation of the next government, and specifically the Kurdish initiative to establish a national unity government. In its front-page editorial entitled "Maram's Teenagers," Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Bayyna discusses the recently-formed political bloc called "Maram," whose members oppose the election results that have been announced thus far. In its third-page editorial entitled "Kurdistan's Meetings Represent the First Step toward Harmony among Iraqis," PUK- affiliated Al-Ittihad focuses on the Kurdish initiative to push key political leaders toward an agreement concerning the formation of the next government. SCIRI-affiliated Al- Adala discusses the political process and its developments in the past year in its third-page editorial entitled "Main principles"; the editorial highlights the three electoral processes that were held in 2005, considering them three victories against terrorists and extremists. END SUMMARY. -------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS -------------- ¶A. "Iraq before Positions" (Al-Fourat, 12/29) ¶B. "Political Crisis and Harmful Agendas" (Dar As-Salam, 12/29) ¶C. "If Maram Said So" (Al-Bayyan, 12/29) -------------- SELECTED COMMENTARIES -------------- ¶A. "Iraq before Positions" (Al-Fourat, independent, anti-coalition, published a front- page editorial by editor in chief Shakir Al-Jibouri about the current political crisis. The editorial reads in part) "It is very good for Iraq to see the leaders of political parties using dialogue to end the current political crisis. However, it is better for Iraq to see those politicians forget their disagreements and their personal interests for the sake of reinforcing national unity. Some may say that Iraq is about to reach an intersection that leads to nowhere, but we say that this country will stay united and politicians should encourage this unity." ¶B. "Political Crises and Harmful Agendas" (Dar As-Salam, affiliated with the Iraqi Islamic Party, published a front-page unattributed editorial about the current political crisis. The editorial reads in part) "Some political groups want to present their special and controversial agendas despite the fact that the country has just exited a political crisis that arose from the fraud in the last election. Those agendas can deepen the political and sectarian division in the country. The current period is not suitable for discussing the issue of forming federal territories. We announce to the Iraqi people that we reject any agreement among political groups that may target the unity of the country. Today, Iraq needs unity. Presenting sectarian and sensitive issues will not be useful for any part-even for those who imagine they will gain profit from the current political crisis." ¶C. "If Maram Said So" (Al-Bayyan, affiliated with the Islamic Ad-Dawa Party, published a fifth-page editorial by Salim Rasoul about the Maram Movement, which was formed after the election to oppose the election's results. The editorial reads in part) "Maram is a movement composed of those who reject the elections for a variety of reasons. Those groups that formed Maram lost the election and for this reason they accused the IECI of being biased in favor of a specific list in an attempt to justify their loss. But if we hold elections again, will Maram accept the result of the elections? The democratic game needs an opposition that monitors the government in a positive way. Maram has two options: either participate in forming a national unity government or organize an opposition in the parliament." KHALILZAD