Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA434
2005-02-11 14:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

EVALUATION OF DIGITAL VIDEO CONFERENCE:

Tags:  OPRC OIIP CA OBSP 
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111454Z Feb 05
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000434

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAN, IIP/G/WHA - CBARONE,
INFO WHA/PDA - JGREENBLATT

E.O.: 12958 N/A
TAGS: OPRC OIIP CA OBSP
SUBJECT: EVALUATION OF DIGITAL VIDEO CONFERENCE:
"IRAQI ELECTIONS: NEXT STEPS" February 9, 2005 (3:00 -
4:00 P.M. EST) TRACKER 23452


1 DESCRIPTION: Dr Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in
Middle East Affairs, U.S. Congressional Research
Service gave a one-hour, one-country (Embassy and six
constituent posts) DVC on the subject of the recently
held Iraqi elections.

2 DATE: Fiscal Year, and Quarter: Wednesday,
February 9, FY 2005; Second Quarter.


3. JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVE: Post would like to
address the significance of the elections, as the
centerpiece of the interim Iraqi government and the
provisional coalition's plan to establish a democratic
system of government in Iraq. The fundamental question
we would want to examine is whether the results will
help to achieve that goal and to bring about an end to
sectarian violence. Sub-topics would include voter
turnout, particularly among Sunnis, and what effect it
will have on minority representation in the new
government. In addition, we would like to look at the
Kurdish desire for relative autonomy in the new
federation. We would be interested in an analysis of
Syrian, Turkish, and Iranian reactions to the elections
and implications for regional stability.



5. MPP THEME: International Public Opinion; Regional
Security


7. AUDIENCE: The DVC was well attended at all Posts
and attracted over 50 attendees country-wide. The make-
up of the audiences was broader than usual. In
attendance were the Press Secretary of the newly
established Iraqi Embassy in Canada; Muslim and
Canadian journalists; Iraqi-Canadian and Kurdish
representatives; Middle East experts from various
Canadian Universities as well as officials from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Canadian International
Development Agency; Privy Council Office; prominent
think tanks; and several university students. The
audiences were amazed at Dr. Katzman's in-depth
knowledge of the region and appreciated his substantive
grasp of an extremely complex and rapidly evolving
subject as well as his willingness to engage in
discussion with people of opposing views. His thought-
provoking analysis generated lengthy post-DVC
discussion at most Posts.

Many in our audience were initially surprised that the
Embassy would present a speaker whose views diverge on
many points from official USG policy, and they came up
afterwards to compliment us for doing so. We feel that
showcasing the controversial views of a respected
academic researcher enhanced the Embassy's credibility
in the eyes of our GoC counterparts and perhaps made
them realize that the U.S. Government draws upon a
wealth of resources in the formulation of policy toward
Iraq. Dr. Katzman's final comment that the program had
given him issues to think about that he had not
considered was an extra plus for the organizers.
Moreover, the passionate commentary that came forth
during the question and answer period highlighted the
difficulty of the task confronting Iraq as it seeks to
create a pluralistic democracy that protects minority
rights. Dr. Katzman's plea for the Shia to adopt an
enlightened and conciliatory approach to the Sunnis
received a sympathetic response from many in our
audience, and even those who disagreed still
appreciated his analysis. Some of the Posts were able
to make new contacts both in academia and in various
Mid-eastern ethnic communities.


5. QUALITY OF U.S. SUPPORT: Excellent. Brenda Butler is
to be complimented on filling the moderator's role very
competently, a task that is crucial to the smooth
running of the program.


6. TECHNICAL EVALUATION: Excellent. Post expresses
its appreciation to IIP for its assistance in the
realization of this program.

CELLUCCI