Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD664
2006-03-03 16:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
FADHILA PARTY MEMBER: UIC 555 FOLLOWERS CRITICAL
how-toVZCZCXRO7318 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0664 0621636 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 031636Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3035 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000664
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2026
TAGS: PGOV PINS PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA PARTY MEMBER: UIC 555 FOLLOWERS CRITICAL
OF SUNNI ARABS, KURDS
REF: BAGHDAD 648
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) A
ND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000664
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2026
TAGS: PGOV PINS PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA PARTY MEMBER: UIC 555 FOLLOWERS CRITICAL
OF SUNNI ARABS, KURDS
REF: BAGHDAD 648
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) A
ND (D)
1. (C) In a March 1 meeting held as a follow-on to reftel
conversation, Fadhila Party Council of Representatives member
Mohammed Ismail al-Kusai said that he believes the worst of
the sectarian strife resulting from bombing of the
Al-Askariyah Shrine in Samarra is over. He repeated reftel
cautions that another such attack could cause the anger in
the Shia street to boil over. He added that many UIC 555
followers are angry with Sunni Arab clerics who "are not
telling their followers how to properly behave," and
therefore are stirring up more anger. Al-Kusai said he fears
the Shia would drive many Sunni Arabs out of Baghdad if
another catastrophic attack occurred. He said this move
would most likely spark a civil war.
2. (C) Because many Shia are resentful, al-Kusai predicted
that many Shia imams would have harsh words for Sunni Arabs
and Kurds during Friday prayers on March 3. The Sunni Arabs
would be blamed for the Al-Askariyah attack and the resulting
sectarian strife, and the Kurds would be blamed for trying to
weaken UIC 555 by forming a separate coalition with Sunni
Arabs and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. Another point
of contention, al-Kusai said, is the National Security
Council. The plan favored by Kurdistan Democratic Party
leader Masoud Barzani would create a powerful body that is
unelected. This would "violate the rules of democracy,"
al-Kusai said. UIC 555, al-Kusai said, would like to see the
National Security Council be an advisory body only. Al-Kusai
claimed that many UIC 555 supporters see the Kurds as
perfidious and antidemocratic for the reasons mentioned above.
SATTERFIELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2026
TAGS: PGOV PINS PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: FADHILA PARTY MEMBER: UIC 555 FOLLOWERS CRITICAL
OF SUNNI ARABS, KURDS
REF: BAGHDAD 648
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) A
ND (D)
1. (C) In a March 1 meeting held as a follow-on to reftel
conversation, Fadhila Party Council of Representatives member
Mohammed Ismail al-Kusai said that he believes the worst of
the sectarian strife resulting from bombing of the
Al-Askariyah Shrine in Samarra is over. He repeated reftel
cautions that another such attack could cause the anger in
the Shia street to boil over. He added that many UIC 555
followers are angry with Sunni Arab clerics who "are not
telling their followers how to properly behave," and
therefore are stirring up more anger. Al-Kusai said he fears
the Shia would drive many Sunni Arabs out of Baghdad if
another catastrophic attack occurred. He said this move
would most likely spark a civil war.
2. (C) Because many Shia are resentful, al-Kusai predicted
that many Shia imams would have harsh words for Sunni Arabs
and Kurds during Friday prayers on March 3. The Sunni Arabs
would be blamed for the Al-Askariyah attack and the resulting
sectarian strife, and the Kurds would be blamed for trying to
weaken UIC 555 by forming a separate coalition with Sunni
Arabs and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. Another point
of contention, al-Kusai said, is the National Security
Council. The plan favored by Kurdistan Democratic Party
leader Masoud Barzani would create a powerful body that is
unelected. This would "violate the rules of democracy,"
al-Kusai said. UIC 555, al-Kusai said, would like to see the
National Security Council be an advisory body only. Al-Kusai
claimed that many UIC 555 supporters see the Kurds as
perfidious and antidemocratic for the reasons mentioned above.
SATTERFIELD