SADR CITY CONTACT LOOKS TO START LIBERAL POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002083 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2016 TAGS: PGOV PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ SUBJECT: SADR CITY CONTACT LOOKS TO START LIBERAL POLITICAL PARTY REF: BAGHDAD 1957 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET SCOBEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On June 11, Sadr City General Information Center manager Nsaif Jasim told PolOff he and his supporters wanted to start a liberal, secular political party called the Gathering of Iraqi Liberals. A brother-in-law of former Sadr City District Advisory Council (DAC) member Siham Hatab (reftel),Jasim said his party's platform would advocate a liberal, democratic Iraq with equal rights for all Iraqis. Pointing out that some people in Sadr City had voted for Ayad Allawi and Mithal al-Alusi, Jasim argued that he could garner votes from some who are only lukewarm supporters of Shia Islamist parties. ¶2. (C) Jasim expressed the hope that Shia, Sunni Arabs, Kurds, and Christians would join his party. He said this would fit with the secular nature of his effort and could promote issues-based politics in Iraq. Jasim said he would like to run in the upcoming Baghdad Provincial elections, and even participate in the next national election. He requested USG support. PolOff explained that the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute conduct training that may be of benefit to Jasim's party. ¶3. (C) Comment: As reported reftel, Jasim's sister-in-law, Siham Hatab, resigned from the Sadr City DAC following Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) death threats to her and her fellow councilor husband. Jasim appears determined to start a liberal, secular party in Sadr City, despite the possibility of JAM harassment or worse. His chances of success are small unless the security situation in Sadr City dramatically improves. End Comment. SPECKHARD