Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD315
2006-02-04 16:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
FADHILA MEMBERS DISCUSS SOLUTION TO INSURGENCY
how-toVZCZCXRO6222 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0315 0351605 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041605Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2461 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON ELAB PINR IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA MEMBERS DISCUSS SOLUTION TO INSURGENCY
REF: BAGHDAD 275 AND 310
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON ELAB PINR IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA MEMBERS DISCUSS SOLUTION TO INSURGENCY
REF: BAGHDAD 275 AND 310
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a February 1 meeting with PolCouns,
Fadhila Party members Hassan al-Shamiri and Mohammed Ismael
al-Khuzai argued that rebuilding Iraq's economy is key to
ending the insurgency. Many insurgents join armed groups
because they have no jobs and feel they have no future in
the new Iraq, they argued. Once a government is formed,
the government's first priority should be to tackle Iraq's
rampant unemployment problem, al-Shamiri said. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
The Unemployed: Insurgents in Waiting
--------------
2. (C) Al-Shamiri told PolCouns that unemployment will be
high on the list of priorities of the next government.
Unemployment, he argued, feeds the insurgency. The
insurgency, and militias, are supported by simple people
who often lack jobs, al-Shamiri said. The next government
must reach out and help create jobs for them. These people
sometimes join the insurgency for the "amusement value," he
said. Others join because people like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
reach out to them and convince them that joining him will
lead them to paradise. This is especially convincing to
young men with little hope of establishing a family.
3. (C) PolCouns said that to help jumpstart the economy and
create jobs Iraq needs more foreign direct investment.
Shamari cautioned that Iraq could not absorb quickly a
major dose of economic reforms. Instead, the government
should help build big factories to generate employment.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Our contacts' comments echo that of other Iraqi
leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Ja'fari
(reftels). GOI officials, NGO heads, academics, and
community leaders all argue that unemployment is crippling
Iraq's efforts to move forward. It remains to be seen if
the next Iraqi government will push through the necessary
legislation and reforms to foster growth and stability.
5. (SBU) BIONOTE: Sheikh Hassan al-Shamiri graduated from
Baghdad Law School in 1992. He then served in the army.
Al-Shamiri went on to study with Ayatollah al-Yacoubi in
Najaf for seven years before joining the Fadhila Party.
Eventually, al-Shamiri says he wants to return to his
religious studies and someday become an Ayatollah. Sheikh
Hassan is a newly elected member of the Council of
Representatives.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON ELAB PINR IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA MEMBERS DISCUSS SOLUTION TO INSURGENCY
REF: BAGHDAD 275 AND 310
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a February 1 meeting with PolCouns,
Fadhila Party members Hassan al-Shamiri and Mohammed Ismael
al-Khuzai argued that rebuilding Iraq's economy is key to
ending the insurgency. Many insurgents join armed groups
because they have no jobs and feel they have no future in
the new Iraq, they argued. Once a government is formed,
the government's first priority should be to tackle Iraq's
rampant unemployment problem, al-Shamiri said. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
The Unemployed: Insurgents in Waiting
--------------
2. (C) Al-Shamiri told PolCouns that unemployment will be
high on the list of priorities of the next government.
Unemployment, he argued, feeds the insurgency. The
insurgency, and militias, are supported by simple people
who often lack jobs, al-Shamiri said. The next government
must reach out and help create jobs for them. These people
sometimes join the insurgency for the "amusement value," he
said. Others join because people like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
reach out to them and convince them that joining him will
lead them to paradise. This is especially convincing to
young men with little hope of establishing a family.
3. (C) PolCouns said that to help jumpstart the economy and
create jobs Iraq needs more foreign direct investment.
Shamari cautioned that Iraq could not absorb quickly a
major dose of economic reforms. Instead, the government
should help build big factories to generate employment.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Our contacts' comments echo that of other Iraqi
leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Ja'fari
(reftels). GOI officials, NGO heads, academics, and
community leaders all argue that unemployment is crippling
Iraq's efforts to move forward. It remains to be seen if
the next Iraqi government will push through the necessary
legislation and reforms to foster growth and stability.
5. (SBU) BIONOTE: Sheikh Hassan al-Shamiri graduated from
Baghdad Law School in 1992. He then served in the army.
Al-Shamiri went on to study with Ayatollah al-Yacoubi in
Najaf for seven years before joining the Fadhila Party.
Eventually, al-Shamiri says he wants to return to his
religious studies and someday become an Ayatollah. Sheikh
Hassan is a newly elected member of the Council of
Representatives.
KHALILZAD