Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD891
2006-03-19 17:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PST BAGHDAD: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION OF A NEW
how-toVZCZCXRO4335 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0891 0781731 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 191731Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3395 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000891
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA-I/POL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PST BAGHDAD: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION OF A NEW
BAGHDAD CHIEF OF POLICE
Classified By: Joe Gregoire for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000891
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA-I/POL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PST BAGHDAD: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION OF A NEW
BAGHDAD CHIEF OF POLICE
Classified By: Joe Gregoire for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) During a 15 March meeting of the Baghdad Provincial
Council (PC) at Amanat (city hall) Baghdad, the PC voted
Iraqi Army Colonel Jassim al-Jizany the new Baghdad Chief of
Police. The Governor of Baghdad, Hussein Al-Tahan, attended
the meeting, which was open to Iraqi media outlets.
2. (C) The election of Jassim follows the removal of former
Baghdad Chief of Police Abdul Razzak by a vote of the PC.
The PC based its decision on its interpretation of its powers
or authorities as outlined in Coalition Provisional Authority
(CPA) Order 71.
3. (C) Jassim received 25 of 48 votes cast by PC members.
The number of votes that Jassim got surprised some PC members
and Baghdad political insiders including Karada District
Council Chairman Mohammed Al-Rubiey. Before the vote, there
had been widespread belief that Brigadier General Abu Waleed
was going to be elected the new Baghdad COP. Abu Waleed
received 19 votes. The remaining ballots were blank.
4. (C) Candidates for Baghdad Chief of Police included the
Karkh Directorate Police Chief, the Rusafa Directorate Police
Chief, and several other senior police officials from
Baghdad. The final candidate list also included several Iraq
Army commanders.
5. (C) Jassim was with the Al-Salam Brigade in the Mada'in
Qada. Jassim is said to be a Badr Organization member from
the Mada'in Qada of Baghdad Province. According to
Al-Rubiey, Jassim was a member of the Ba'ath Party during the
Saddam regime.
6. (C) Al-Rubiey let it be known that Jassim's successful
candidacy was likely due to his Badr affiliation and the
desire of the PC to ensure that the position of COP is filled
by a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution
in Iraq (SCIRI) and its Badr Organization.
7. (C) Governor Al-Tahan told a PRT member that he knows
Jassim personally and professionally. He stated that during
the selection process, he had hoped to see a candidate with
"civilian" police experience selected, but in the end
concluded that the police candidates were not adequately
qualified to fill the COP position.
--------------
Comment
--------------
8. (C) If it is indeed true that the PC elected Jassim as a
result of his connection to the SCIRI/Badr bloc, this would
be an indicator of the PC's consolidation of key government
and security positions within Baghdad Province.
9. (C) However, the numerous discussions we have had with PC
members suggest that their desire to choose a candidate with
a strong military background was their primary consideration.
Jassim's affiliation with Badr likely enhanced his candidacy.
SATTERFIELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA-I/POL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PST BAGHDAD: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION OF A NEW
BAGHDAD CHIEF OF POLICE
Classified By: Joe Gregoire for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) During a 15 March meeting of the Baghdad Provincial
Council (PC) at Amanat (city hall) Baghdad, the PC voted
Iraqi Army Colonel Jassim al-Jizany the new Baghdad Chief of
Police. The Governor of Baghdad, Hussein Al-Tahan, attended
the meeting, which was open to Iraqi media outlets.
2. (C) The election of Jassim follows the removal of former
Baghdad Chief of Police Abdul Razzak by a vote of the PC.
The PC based its decision on its interpretation of its powers
or authorities as outlined in Coalition Provisional Authority
(CPA) Order 71.
3. (C) Jassim received 25 of 48 votes cast by PC members.
The number of votes that Jassim got surprised some PC members
and Baghdad political insiders including Karada District
Council Chairman Mohammed Al-Rubiey. Before the vote, there
had been widespread belief that Brigadier General Abu Waleed
was going to be elected the new Baghdad COP. Abu Waleed
received 19 votes. The remaining ballots were blank.
4. (C) Candidates for Baghdad Chief of Police included the
Karkh Directorate Police Chief, the Rusafa Directorate Police
Chief, and several other senior police officials from
Baghdad. The final candidate list also included several Iraq
Army commanders.
5. (C) Jassim was with the Al-Salam Brigade in the Mada'in
Qada. Jassim is said to be a Badr Organization member from
the Mada'in Qada of Baghdad Province. According to
Al-Rubiey, Jassim was a member of the Ba'ath Party during the
Saddam regime.
6. (C) Al-Rubiey let it be known that Jassim's successful
candidacy was likely due to his Badr affiliation and the
desire of the PC to ensure that the position of COP is filled
by a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution
in Iraq (SCIRI) and its Badr Organization.
7. (C) Governor Al-Tahan told a PRT member that he knows
Jassim personally and professionally. He stated that during
the selection process, he had hoped to see a candidate with
"civilian" police experience selected, but in the end
concluded that the police candidates were not adequately
qualified to fill the COP position.
--------------
Comment
--------------
8. (C) If it is indeed true that the PC elected Jassim as a
result of his connection to the SCIRI/Badr bloc, this would
be an indicator of the PC's consolidation of key government
and security positions within Baghdad Province.
9. (C) However, the numerous discussions we have had with PC
members suggest that their desire to choose a candidate with
a strong military background was their primary consideration.
Jassim's affiliation with Badr likely enhanced his candidacy.
SATTERFIELD