TWO SISTANI STUDENTS COMMENT ON MARJAIYA VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2026
TAGS: PGOV PINR PNAT KDEM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: TWO SISTANI STUDENTS COMMENT ON MARJAIYA VIEWS

REF: BAGHDAD 1843

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET SCOBEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)
AND (D).



1. (C) Summary: In a June 14 meeting, Sheikh Ahmed
al-Dhahabi and Sheikh Ayad al-Ekabi, students of Grand
Ayatollah SISTANI, told PolOff the political and economic
situation in Iraq is steadily improving but more needs to be
done to rebuild the country. Al-Dhahabi relayed to PolOff
the Marjaiya's view that while they expect the new government
to last a full term, its composition does not fully reflect
the wishes of the electorate. Al-Dhahabi said the Marjaiya
blame poor economic conditions and reckless PSD and MNF-I
actions for much of the friction between Coalition Forces
(CF) and the Iraqi people. According to al-Dhahabi, the
Marjaiya also disapprove of Arab League involvement in Iraqi
affairs. End Summary.

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Iraqi Governments Getting Better, But Not Perfect
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2. (C) On June 14, Sheikh Ahmed al-Dhahabi and Sheikh Ayad
al-Ekabi, students of Grand Ayatollah SISTANI, told PolOff
the political and economic situation in Iraq is improving,
but much more time will be needed to rebuild the country.
According to al-Dhahabi, the Najaf religious establishment
believes Iraqi governments have gotten progressively better.
The Marjaiya expect the current government to last a full
term. Al-Dhahabi and al-Ekabi argued, however, that after
four years, the current group of ministers should be replaced
because the government did not completely reflect the
democratic wishes of the Iraqi people. Al-Dhahabi added that
"80% of the Marjaiya would prefer to vote for individual
candidates, rather than electoral party lists, because they
would like to vote out bad candidates from UIC 555."

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Poor Economic Conditions
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3. (C) According to al-Dhahabi, the Marjaiya think Iraq's
problems can be attributed to popular discontent with poor
economic conditions and basic services. He warned that
public anger could soon reach such a level that the Marjaiya
will not be able to control the Shia street. According to
Al-Dhahabi, the Marjaiya feel the fight against the
insurgency has distracted coalition countries from efforts to
rebuild Iraq. PolOff noted the considerable assistance
already provided for Iraqi reconstruction. Al-Dhahabi said
that much more reconstruction needs to be done, and more
Iraqis need jobs, if the public is to be placated.

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PSDs and MNF-I Actions That Anger
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4. (C) Al-Dhahabi and al-Ekabi told PolOff that PSDs are
ruining relations between CF and average Iraqis. They
alleged that PSD teams drive wildly, smash cars, and run over
Iraqis, even in peaceful neighborhoods, causing Iraqis to
become angry at CF. (Note: RSO reports that, in the past
six months, no complaints have been received indicating that
Chief of Mission PSDs have driven recklessly, caused traffic
accidents, or injured Iraqis. End Note.) He added that
MNF-I soldiers, while not as reckless as PSD teams,
nevertheless sometimes detain Iraqis randomly and set up
roadblocks, causing traffic jams. As a result, the good
deeds performed by CF are often forgotten. PolOff countered
that CF do not randomly detain Iraqis, but rather arrest
those suspected of committing illegal acts. The roadblocks,
while inconvenient, are necessary for security, he added.

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Anger at Arab League
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5. (C) Al-Dhahabi said the Marjaiya disapprove of Arab League
involvement in Iraqi politics. According to al-Dhahabi, the
Marjaiya think the Arab League has done nothing for Iraq, and
the national reconciliation conference initiative has served
only to give Iraq's enemies an avenue through which to meddle
in Iraqi affairs. Al-Dhahabi said, "many enemies of Iraq are
in the Arab League." (Note: Arab League Ambassador Lamani,
who met with SISTANI on May 31, reported that SISTANI was
supportive of the Arab League reconciliation conference.
(reftel) End note.)

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BAGHDAD 00002263 002 OF 002


Bionote
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6. (C) Bionote: Sheikh Ahmed al-Dhahabi was born in Baghdad
in 1972. He is married and has three sons. He holds a
bachelor's degree in Islamic history from Baghdad University.
He told Poloff that he will soon finish his studies to reach
the rank of Ayatollah. Sheikh Ayad al-Ekabi was born in
Baghdad in 1964. He leads Friday prayers at a mosque in the
Al-Zafaraniya district of Baghdad. He currently serves on
the Baghdad City Council and Karada District Advisory
Council. He traveled to Japan in 2003, and to the United
States on an international visitor program in 2004.
SPECKHARD