KIU OFFICIALS SAY THEY,RE JOINING KURDISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000517 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2016 TAGS: PGOV IZ SUBJECT: KIU OFFICIALS SAY THEY,RE JOINING KURDISTAN ALLIANCE REF: A. BAGHDAD 4892 ¶B. BAGHDAD 4924 ¶C. KIRKUK 21 Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a February 15 meeting, Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) head Salah ad-Din Baha al-Din informed Ambassador that the KIU decided to join the Kurdistan Alliance (KA) after weeks of pressure from the two main parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Baha al-Din said, however, that the KIU had conditions: a name change from Kurdistan Alliance to "Kurdistan Bloc"; addressing the issues of human rights and corruption in Kurdistan; a role in government formation negotiations; and one national ministry, among other things. The merger would boost the Kurdish Alliance group in the parliament from 53 to 58 seats, and, in theory, could enable the Shia Islamist Coalition to cut a separate deal with the Kurds to form the government without the Sunni Arabs. So far, however, that does not appear to be the motive. END SUMMARY. -------------- We Will Join KA -------------- ¶2. (C) During a February 15 meeting, KIU head Baha al-Din informed Ambassador that the KIU decided to join the KA after weeks of pressure from the two main parties, the KDP and the PUK. Baha al-Din said that the KIU originally had decided to run as an independent party to protest the corrupt and undemocratic practices of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Sulymaniyah. The two main parties' revenge for this action, he added, was swift and deadly. (NOTE: This was a reference to the attack on six KIU offices across the north, allegedly by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-affiliated officers (reftels A and B). A committee formed in the aftermath of the attacks was slow to investigate. The KIU primarily is interested in justice for its slain officials, but Baha al-Din claimed that because Kurdish government officials are linked to the deaths the committee has made no progress (see reftel C). END NOTE.) ¶3. (C) The KA was surprised that after all the violence, the KIU did well enough in the national elections to win 5 seats in the Council of Representatives (COR),continued Baha al-Din. The KA, he explained, is trying to downplay the implications of that victory by co-opting the KIU into the ranks of the KA again. The KIU, however, had some conditions: -- The name of the Kurdistan Alliance should be changed to "Kurdistan Bloc" to placate the KIU's supporters. (NOTE: The old term "alliance" in Arabic indicates a complete integration of all the members; "bloc," on the other hand, signals that all the components in the bloc retain their own separate identities. This distinction allows the KIU to save face with its constituents as it can say publicly that it had retained some independence. END NOTE.) -- KIU will vote with the KA in the new parliament on issues of common interests to Kurds. -- The KIU would continue to support the idea of an Islamic identity in accordance with the dictates of the Constitution. -- Iraq should act a single nation; Kurds are not independent and seeking such independence harms the country as a whole. -- Other countries need to understand Islam and KIU's peaceful interpretation of it, which wholly rejects terrorism in the name of Islam. Separately, Baha al-Din reported that the KIU had some conditions for within Kurdistan as well: -- The two key issues of human rights and corruption should be addressed (see septel); -- KIU also is demanding a deputy leadership role in the new KA, 10 percent representation in everything else, a role in government formation negotiations, Secretary of the Kurdish National Assembly, increased funding, three KRG ministry positions, and one national ministry. ¶4. (C) While the KIU wishes to stay independent, the KA is threatening to withhold KRG ministerial positions and material support to the KIU if they do not join with the KA nationally. Of all the demands, Baha al-Din stated, the most BAGHDAD 00000517 002 OF 002 crucial was the name change from Kurdistan Alliance to Kurdistan Bloc, for which the KIU gave up its claim to ministries. (COMMENT: Baha al-Din's stress on the name change suggests that the KIU is well aware that none of its other demands are likely to be met. END COMMENT.) -------------- Government Formation -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador inquired whether the KIU is satisfied with the Shia Coalition's re-nomination of incumbent Prime Minister Ja'afari. Baha al-Din replied that, although the KIU did not have a finger in this pie, it is clear that only half of the Shia Coalition selected Ja'afari. Still, Baha al-Din asserted, this was a democratic mechanism and the KIU is satisfied with the result despite the objections over Ja'afari's past performance in the position. It is the fate of the Iraqis, Baha al-Din lamented, to be constantly amid ongoing negotiations; but, he noted, at least there are no tanks on the street enforcing these decisions. However, he concluded that because Ja'afari was not the overwhelming choice and he has clear debts to other groups, it is difficult to predict how the total ministerial package will look. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The KIU claims that it will withdraw if all its conditions are not met, but it is doubtful that they will have the capacity to demand anything. One KIU member told PolOff on February 16 that the KIU has not yet been able even to reach the KA to inform it of KIU's decision to join. As the KIU delegation was leaving, Baha al-Din said that the KIU does not wish to disappear within the Alliance. When PolOff noted that it would be difficult in an unsettled Iraq for any third party to emerge in Kurdistan, Baha al-Din replied that the KIU is looking at the long term. If the merger goes through, the addition of five KIU seats will boost the KA group to 58 seats. This total could enable the Shia Islamist Coalition to cut a separate deal with the Kurds without the Sunni Arabs. We have no indication that the Kurds or the Shia are planning that now. END COMMENT. KHALILZAD