COMMUNIST LEADER EXPRESSES FRUSTRATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001151 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2026 TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ SUBJECT: COMMUNIST LEADER EXPRESSES FRUSTRATIONS WITH ALLAWI'S MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP OF IRAQIYYA LIST Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR MICHAEL J. ADLER, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) CoR and Iraqiyya list member (and head of the Iraqi Communist Party) Hamid Majeed Mousa told PolOff and PolFSN April 4 that, although there are regular meetings of the Iraqiyya List members, there is no effective system within the bloc for consultations or exchange of ideas. Mousa complained that Allawi does not consult with everyone and is often traveling. He compared Allawi's weaknesses to those of Jafari. He faulted the U.S. for what he characterized as an excessive concentration on Allawi, citing the USG's use of "Allawi List" to refer to the Iraqiyya bloc. He asserted that there are consequences to concentrating on one person, adding that "we are an Alliance." He said democracy is important at all levels, and should be present at all levels (government, alliance, party, etc.). ¶2. (C) When asked about the participation of the Iraqiyya List in the new government, Mousa responded that this topic had been discussed on more than one occasion. He stressed that "we did not participate in the political process and adopt a political program just to be the opposition." He added that Iraqiyya members had criticized Ayad Allawi for not participating in the ITG, which Mousa noted reflected an immature attitude. If out of the country, Mousa added, one cannot affect government. He said that the List needs to push its own political program. ¶3. (C) Mousa said Allawi entered the race to become PM, not to become a minister. He said that was the reason Allawi had pushed for the National Security Council idea (NOTE: to allow Allawi to participate in decision-making as head of the party). When asked about ministries, Mousa said they had not been discussed by the Iraqiyya List, but everybody on the list has their eyes on them. He said the Communist Party expects to have one ministry position. He claimed that the Communist Party could have done as well running by itself as running within the Iraqiyya List (NOTE: The Communists have two of the 25 Iraqiyya seats. END NOTE). He said he hoped that the Iraqiyya List members will be active parliamentarians, but he is not optimistic. ¶4. (C) COMMENT. Some of Mousa's comments may reflect his own personal sense of marginalization within the Iraqiyya group. He complained that he did not know the objectives of Allawi's current travels until reading about them in the press. However, this is not the first time we have heard Iraqiyya members criticize Allawi for his management and leadership style. END COMMENT KHALILZAD