Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD3392
2006-09-12 07:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IRAQI SPEAKER AGREES THAT POLITICAL LEADERS MUST
how-toVZCZCXRO7802 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3392 2550737 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 120737Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6829 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003392
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI SPEAKER AGREES THAT POLITICAL LEADERS MUST
MEET TO REACH NATIONAL COMPACT
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003392
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI SPEAKER AGREES THAT POLITICAL LEADERS MUST
MEET TO REACH NATIONAL COMPACT
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador told the Speaker of the Council of
Representatives (CoR) Dr. Mahmoud Mashhadani September 11
that, for an agreement to be reached on key issues (e.g.,
federalism, De-Ba'athification, militias) there will need to
be a "package deal" or a national compact involving
compromises from all sides. The Speaker agreed with the
assessment that the key political bloc leaders will need to
meet at a possible retreat to reach an understanding. The
Speaker said that an early October meeting might be feasible
in Amman. Mashhadani said he would raise this suggestion for
a retreat at the National Policy Council meeting that same
night.
2. (C) Regarding the recent controversy over the region
formation law, Mashhadani said that federalism is very
dangerous because it cannot be controlled. He agreed that
the passage of a region formation by a simple majority would
not be good; it needs broad agreement. The Ambassador said
the National Policy Council should reach an agreement at its
meeting not to move forward on federalism until there is a
"package deal" agreement between the major political groups.
3. (C) Mashhadani expressed concern over Iraqiyya's political
position since Izzat al-Shabander, who represented the bloc
at the September 7 Political Committee meeting, called for a
schedule for MNF-I withdrawal of MNF-I. Mashhadani claimed
that he helped push back the suggestion because such a
withdrawal would create a security gap.
4. (C) The Ambassador expressed the USG concern over certain
key points in the draft Independent High Electoral Commission
law to help preserve its independence: (a) the removal
provision for commissioners should be higher than just a
simple majority; (b) the President, Prime Minister, and
Speaker should be on nominating committee; and (c)
commissioners should not be allowed to accept public office
(except in academia) within three years after their term is
over. The Speaker said he would transmit these points to the
CoR's Legal Committee.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI SPEAKER AGREES THAT POLITICAL LEADERS MUST
MEET TO REACH NATIONAL COMPACT
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador told the Speaker of the Council of
Representatives (CoR) Dr. Mahmoud Mashhadani September 11
that, for an agreement to be reached on key issues (e.g.,
federalism, De-Ba'athification, militias) there will need to
be a "package deal" or a national compact involving
compromises from all sides. The Speaker agreed with the
assessment that the key political bloc leaders will need to
meet at a possible retreat to reach an understanding. The
Speaker said that an early October meeting might be feasible
in Amman. Mashhadani said he would raise this suggestion for
a retreat at the National Policy Council meeting that same
night.
2. (C) Regarding the recent controversy over the region
formation law, Mashhadani said that federalism is very
dangerous because it cannot be controlled. He agreed that
the passage of a region formation by a simple majority would
not be good; it needs broad agreement. The Ambassador said
the National Policy Council should reach an agreement at its
meeting not to move forward on federalism until there is a
"package deal" agreement between the major political groups.
3. (C) Mashhadani expressed concern over Iraqiyya's political
position since Izzat al-Shabander, who represented the bloc
at the September 7 Political Committee meeting, called for a
schedule for MNF-I withdrawal of MNF-I. Mashhadani claimed
that he helped push back the suggestion because such a
withdrawal would create a security gap.
4. (C) The Ambassador expressed the USG concern over certain
key points in the draft Independent High Electoral Commission
law to help preserve its independence: (a) the removal
provision for commissioners should be higher than just a
simple majority; (b) the President, Prime Minister, and
Speaker should be on nominating committee; and (c)
commissioners should not be allowed to accept public office
(except in academia) within three years after their term is
over. The Speaker said he would transmit these points to the
CoR's Legal Committee.
KHALILZAD