PST BAGHDAD: COUNCIL VOTES TO REPLACE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000767 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA-I/POL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ SUBJECT: PST BAGHDAD: COUNCIL VOTES TO REPLACE CHAIRMAN OF SADR CITY DISTRICT ¶1. Sadr City District Council Chairman Hassan Husain Shama was replaced by Vice Chairman Jawad Kadhim Mansi at a regular session of the Council on March 9. The vote tally favoring Jawad was 22 to 15. Hassan served as chairman for the past two years, which called for personal courage: his predecessor had been murdered by the Madhi Militia and his body hung from a light pole. Hassan readily admitted to meeting with the Sadr Bureau regularly to generate a cooperative environment and for his own personal safety. ¶2. Jawad is less known, but has been friendly and cooperative with U.S representatives. He, too, is known to cooperate with the Sadr Bureau. PST Baghdad does not know how strong a relationship Jawad has with the Sadr Bureau. ¶3. During the council meeting and prior to the vote, Jawad promised the Council Service Committee, the largest and most powerful committee at this council and all other district councils, that he would provide more resources to it. His promise may have catalyzed his victory. ¶4. Comment. The ramifications of Hassan Husain's removal as council chairman of the Sadr City DC are unclear. Hassan, a Kurd from the more affluent southern area of Sadr City's Sector 4, was the consummate politician (well-dressed, well-spoken, a master of wit and debate). Jawad, a Shiite from central Sadr City's sector 25, has a much lower profile. ¶5. Comment cont'd. The political battle in Sadr City may be one of legitimacy and the issue may be who's in charge, the Sadr Bureau or the DC? Hassan's two year stint resulted in the DC's greater activity and may have strengthened the DC. We hope Jawad will lead the DC in the same direction. End comment. KHALILZAD