Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD326
2006-02-05 14:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
SUNNI ARAB POLITICIANS TELL CODEL SHAYS VIOLENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO6387 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0326 0361432 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051432Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2479 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000326
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI ARAB POLITICIANS TELL CODEL SHAYS VIOLENCE
MUST STOP
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000326
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI ARAB POLITICIANS TELL CODEL SHAYS VIOLENCE
MUST STOP
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Tawafuq coalition representatives Professor
Hassan Bazzaz and Dr. Ala'a Makki told Congressman
Shays and his delegation February 4 that ending
violence is their number one priority; adjusting the
Constitution can wait. Bazzaz told Representatives
Christopher Shays, Virginia Brown-Waite, Katherine
Harris and John Doolittle that the Sunnis are paying a
high price for political participation. They are now
targeted by the insurgency, the Iraqi government and
Coalition troops. Claiming that Sunni Arabs are 35%
of the population in Iraq, they asserted that they
were cheated in the December 15 elections.
Nonetheless, they said Sunni parties have made the
decision that violence is not the solution and that
they will participate in the political process to end
the occupation.
2. (C) Bazzaz charged that the Ministry of Interior
has launched a campaign of terror against the Sunni
Arabs to prevent them from participating in the
political process. He added that the de-
Ba'thification process is being used to purge the
government of all Sunni. He provided the CODEL with a
report concerning alleged human rights violations by
the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Bazzaz stated that
the Shia, encouraged and led by Iran, want a civil in
Iraq. How can we sit down and form a government with
them, he asked. The US is powerless, he said, it
won't act against the Shia. He said that firing
Interior Minister Bayan Jabr could pave the way for
Sunni participation in government. He argued that the
Sunnis could not discuss positions until the violence
stops.
3. (C) Bazzaz concluded by telling the CODEL that
there will be no stability in Iraq without the Sunni
Arabs. We have the power, education and experience,
he boasted. Both he and Makki said that they do not
want the Coalition to leave Iraq for now. Bazzaz
claimed that the Kurds will secede from Iraq as soon
as they "take" Kirkuk.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI ARAB POLITICIANS TELL CODEL SHAYS VIOLENCE
MUST STOP
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Tawafuq coalition representatives Professor
Hassan Bazzaz and Dr. Ala'a Makki told Congressman
Shays and his delegation February 4 that ending
violence is their number one priority; adjusting the
Constitution can wait. Bazzaz told Representatives
Christopher Shays, Virginia Brown-Waite, Katherine
Harris and John Doolittle that the Sunnis are paying a
high price for political participation. They are now
targeted by the insurgency, the Iraqi government and
Coalition troops. Claiming that Sunni Arabs are 35%
of the population in Iraq, they asserted that they
were cheated in the December 15 elections.
Nonetheless, they said Sunni parties have made the
decision that violence is not the solution and that
they will participate in the political process to end
the occupation.
2. (C) Bazzaz charged that the Ministry of Interior
has launched a campaign of terror against the Sunni
Arabs to prevent them from participating in the
political process. He added that the de-
Ba'thification process is being used to purge the
government of all Sunni. He provided the CODEL with a
report concerning alleged human rights violations by
the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Bazzaz stated that
the Shia, encouraged and led by Iran, want a civil in
Iraq. How can we sit down and form a government with
them, he asked. The US is powerless, he said, it
won't act against the Shia. He said that firing
Interior Minister Bayan Jabr could pave the way for
Sunni participation in government. He argued that the
Sunnis could not discuss positions until the violence
stops.
3. (C) Bazzaz concluded by telling the CODEL that
there will be no stability in Iraq without the Sunni
Arabs. We have the power, education and experience,
he boasted. Both he and Makki said that they do not
want the Coalition to leave Iraq for now. Bazzaz
claimed that the Kurds will secede from Iraq as soon
as they "take" Kirkuk.
KHALILZAD