PM JAFARI CONCERNED ABOUT IRANIAN INTERFERENCE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000998 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ SUBJECT: PM JAFARI CONCERNED ABOUT IRANIAN INTERFERENCE, SEES SADR'S POST-SAMARRA ROLE AS "POSITIVE" Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for r easons 1.4 (B) and (D) -------------- -------------- National Unity Government Being Formed As We Speak -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) In a March 25 meeting, Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari told CODEL McCain that the national unity government was being formed "as we speak." He denied that sectarian tensions threatened to undermine government formation, praising the Iraqi people for not succumbing to civil war in the aftermath of the Samarra bombing. While noting the urgency of completing government formation, Jafari also noted the importance of creating a cabinet of competent technocrats who have not been tainted by corruption. He emphasized that national unity in Iraq is not just a slogan, but a part of Iraqi tradition, and he welcomed the participation of all political parties in the new government. -------------- Iran Must Not Infringe on Iraqi Sovereignty -------------- ¶2. (C) Discussing Iran, Jafari stated that Iraq must remain a sovereign state free of interference from other countries. He said that Iraq must be fully governed by Iraqis, following Constitutional procedures, and that the government must work to safeguard Iraq against any threats from the outside. He embraced building relations with other countries, but he emphasized that meddling in security or other internal affairs would not be tolerated. On the subject of Iran, Jafari, a physician, also noted that the global nuclear threat is as dangerous an issue as AIDS or smallpox. He looked forward to the day when the world would be free of "nuclear danger," as we are now free of smallpox. -------------- Engaging Sadr Important For Democracy -------------- ¶3. (C) Discussing the role of Moqtada al-Sadr in the politics of Iraq, Jafari noted that there were two groups who were "excluded by Amb. Bremer" - the Sadrists and the Sunni Arabs. He outlined three options for dealing with groups that have been excluded, but represent large portions of the population: kill them, not allow them in the political process, or include them in it. Jafari said that he had chosen the only feasible option and had encouraged both the Sadrists and the Sunni Arabs to participate in politics. He noted the positive effects of their participation, crediting the two groups with calming the situation after the Samarra bombing. He said that Sadr had taken the initiative to send his supporters into Sunni Arab areas after the bombing to "express sympathy and solidarity," and that the Sadrists had played a "positive role" in promoting national unity. (Comment: most of our Sunni Arab contacts describe the Sadrist supporters that went into Sunni Arab districts as playing a very different role. End Comment.) ¶4. (U) CODEL McCain did not have an opportunity to clear this cable. KHALILZAD