Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1806
2006-05-29 18:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
NATIONAL IRAQI MINORITIES COUNCIL CONFERENCE HOLDS
how-toVZCZCXRO0398 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #1806 1491859 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291859Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4773 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001806
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: NATIONAL IRAQI MINORITIES COUNCIL CONFERENCE HOLDS
SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001806
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: NATIONAL IRAQI MINORITIES COUNCIL CONFERENCE HOLDS
SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
1. (U) On May 27, PolOffs and PolFSN attended the Second
Annual National Conference of the Iraqi Minorities Council,
held at Baghdad's Rashid Hotel. The conference, attended by
about 250 people, opened with remarks by surprise guest
Council of Representatives Speaker Mahmoud Mashadani.
Mashadani told the delegates, government officials, community
leaders and international representatives present that the
measure of true democracy in society is the inclusion of all
citizens including minorities. He went on to emphasize his
personal commitment to the protection of minority rights and
said he would back an Armenian Christian candidate for the
position of Deputy Minister of State for National Security.
Shia Arab politician Ali Dabbagh also addressed the group
calling on minorities to teach the majority politicians about
their cultures and the issues affecting them.
2. (U) Following Mashadani and Dabbagh's remarks the program
reverted to the previously announced program and agenda.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi
spoke of the UN's commitment to the protection of minority
rights and proposed the creation of a minority bill of
rights. Qazi's remarks were followed by a presentation by
Dr. Hanin Al-Qaddo, CoR member and President of the Iraqi
Minorities Council. Qaddo spoke about what it means to be a
minority and then talked about the specific obligations a
nation has to assist and protect its minority populations.
His remarks were followed by discussions led by Council
members on political participation, social and cultural
challenges, and constitutional issues.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The conference appeared to be well received
by the participants. Its primary value seemed to be less the
substance of the discussion than the fact of its occurrence
for a second year in a row, as well as the guest appearances
of both Sunni and Shia Arab politicians such as Mashadani
and Dabbagh.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: NATIONAL IRAQI MINORITIES COUNCIL CONFERENCE HOLDS
SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
1. (U) On May 27, PolOffs and PolFSN attended the Second
Annual National Conference of the Iraqi Minorities Council,
held at Baghdad's Rashid Hotel. The conference, attended by
about 250 people, opened with remarks by surprise guest
Council of Representatives Speaker Mahmoud Mashadani.
Mashadani told the delegates, government officials, community
leaders and international representatives present that the
measure of true democracy in society is the inclusion of all
citizens including minorities. He went on to emphasize his
personal commitment to the protection of minority rights and
said he would back an Armenian Christian candidate for the
position of Deputy Minister of State for National Security.
Shia Arab politician Ali Dabbagh also addressed the group
calling on minorities to teach the majority politicians about
their cultures and the issues affecting them.
2. (U) Following Mashadani and Dabbagh's remarks the program
reverted to the previously announced program and agenda.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi
spoke of the UN's commitment to the protection of minority
rights and proposed the creation of a minority bill of
rights. Qazi's remarks were followed by a presentation by
Dr. Hanin Al-Qaddo, CoR member and President of the Iraqi
Minorities Council. Qaddo spoke about what it means to be a
minority and then talked about the specific obligations a
nation has to assist and protect its minority populations.
His remarks were followed by discussions led by Council
members on political participation, social and cultural
challenges, and constitutional issues.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The conference appeared to be well received
by the participants. Its primary value seemed to be less the
substance of the discussion than the fact of its occurrence
for a second year in a row, as well as the guest appearances
of both Sunni and Shia Arab politicians such as Mashadani
and Dabbagh.
KHALILZAD