FORMER MINISTER DISCUSSES KURDISH EXPANSION INTO

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004140

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: FORMER MINISTER DISCUSSES KURDISH EXPANSION INTO
NINEWA PROVINCE WITH AMBASSADOR

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In a November 1 meeting with the Ambassador,
former Minister of Industry and Minerals and current Council
of Representatives (CoR) member from the cross-sectarian
secular Iraqiyya party Osama Al-Najafi said Kurdish
expansionism constitutes the most serious threat to Iraqi
unity. He also criticized the Maliki government as weak and
ineffective. End Summary.

Kurds Responsible for Divisions
--------------


2. (C) Najafi said that Iraqis in the northern areas,
specifically in Mosul, believe that Shi'a parties, in
particular SCIRI and Dawa,as well as Al-Qaeda and Kurdish
parties are responsible for the country's divisions. Of
these three, Al-Najafi said, the Kurdish parties and the
"Kurdish Project" represent the most serious threat to Iraq's
unity. He expressed concern that Kurdish political groups
are actively seeking to expand KRG boundaries and increase
Kurdish presence in various cities in Diyala, Ninewa, and
Ta'mim (Kirkuk) provinces. Their efforts, according to
Al-Najafi, help Al-Qaeda and other armed groups by pushing
people to join them in an effort to retaliate against the
Kurds.


3. (C) Al-Najafi asked the Ambassador to use his influence in
the KRG to help "freeze" the Kurdish project and cited the
Mosul Dam as an example of Kurdish expansionist policies.
According to Al-Najafi, approximately 100 villages surround
the dam. Of these villages approximately 10 are Kurdish.
However, the Kurds are claiming the dam's eastern and western
banks, as well as the water and electricity the dam produces.
Al-Najafi also asked that the USG resist KRG pressure to
arrest and detain politicians vocally opposing Kurdish
actions. Finally, Al-Najafi requested USG support for early
CoR elections. (Note: the next CoR elections are scheduled
to take place in 2009. End Note)

Maliki Government Weak
--------------


4. (C) Turning to the central government, Al-Najafi
characterized Prime Minister Maliki's current government as
"weak and ineffective." We are moving faster and faster
towards a disaster, Al-Najafi warned, which the PM and the
CoR are unable to stop. The Ambassador agreed that this is a
difficult time for the GOI and it only emphasizes the need
for Iraqiyya members to take a more active, organized role in
Iraqi politics.


5. (C) Bio Note: Osama Al-Najafi was elected to the CoR on
Ayad Allawi's Iraqi National List (Iraqiyya). While his name
suggests he is from Najaf in Southern Iraq, he was born in
Ninewa province, is the head of a prominent and influential
family, and currently lives in Baghdad. He has argued
against Kurdish expansion efforts in Mosul, including an
inflammatory statement on September 25 in the CoR which
caused members of the Kurdish Alliance to walk out of the
session. End Bio Note.
KHALILZAD