IRAQI FARMERS UNION FACES SADRIST PRESSURES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002108 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2026 TAGS: KDEM ELAB EAGR IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI FARMERS UNION FACES SADRIST PRESSURES Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for re asons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: At a June 12 meeting, General Federation of Farmers Unions VP Adil Aladily told EmbOffs that his organization has made substantial progress since its re-establishment following the fall of Saddam. He complained, however, of Sadrist efforts to take over the Federation's board of directors. He said that the threat of sectarian displacement is the most serious problem facing Iraqi farmers. END SUMMARY. -------------- FARMERS UNION REESTABLISHED -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 12, EmbOffs met with Adil Aladily, Vice President of the General Federation of Farmers Unions of Iraq. Aladily noted that the union, originally established in 1959 but closed under Saddam Hussein's regime, was re-opened in Baghdad under CPA authorization in October 2003. Initial funding for the start-up was provided by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and a general conference was held in 2004 to elect a 13-member board of directors. Aladily reported that the Federation has grown rapidly and now has 140 branch offices in 15 provinces (but none in Kurdistan) and tens of thousands of members. ¶3. (C) Aladily said the Federation is financed through a combination of donations and money generating enterprises. When farmers join the union they are asked, but not required, to pay a 2,000 Iraqi dinar fee. Once registered, the farmers are given an identification card valid for three years. Card holders are allowed to purchase seed, chemicals and farming tools from participating dealers at discounted prices as well as to receive other union support services. Such support includes training programs and technical advice, a harvester rental program, irrigation support and dispute resolution mediation. ¶4. (C) Aladily said that in addition to revenue from registration fees, the Federation owns five large grain combines which are moved around the country during harvest season. Aladily said these grain harvesters were donated to the union by the head of the farming association in Saudi Arabia in January 2005. Any farmer can rent the combines, but union card holders get priority and can rent at a discount. The union also has an arrangement to import trucks through a company in Basrah. According to Aladily, the union has imported and sold approximately 6,000 trucks since it re-opened its doors, 900 of which were sold to union card holders at a discount. -------------- THE BATTLE WITH SADRISTS FOR CONTROL -------------- ¶5. (C) Aladily said the Federation has been facing a serious challenge from the Sadrists. The Sadrists initially tried to establish their own rival farmers' organization. According to Aladily, farmers refused to join or acknowledge the Sadrist union. In March, Aladily claimed, the Sadrists attempted to gain control of the Federation through a forced take over of the board of directors. Through intimidation, direct physical attacks, and death threats, Aladily said that the Sadrists forced the board to expand its membership from 13 to 28 and insisted on selecting the additional 15 new members. Aladily said the Sadrists only succeeded after brutally attacking and injuring two of the board members who opposed them, forcing another to resign and flee Baghdad. Aladily said the original remaining board members have been able to counter Sadrist control by limiting their knowledge of union operations and making decisions without informing the board. Aladily hopes that planned board elections in mid-August will help reduce the Sadrist role on the board. -------------- HELPING SHIA FARMERS IN DIYALA -------------- ¶6. (C) Aladily said that the threat of sectarian displacement is the most serious problem his organization has sought to help Iraqi farmers address. He noted that he had just returned from Diyala, where he was directly involved in local negotiations which resulted in the return of ten families back to farms they had been forced to abandon after receiving threats. Adil said that by working through the local district and town councils, tribal leaders, and local religious figures, he was able to negotiate the safe return of these particular families. SPECKHARD