BASRAH LEADERS DECLARE A "STATE OF PEACE" FOR THE WORLD CUP

UNCLAS BASRAH 000100

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: BASRAH LEADERS DECLARE A "STATE OF PEACE" FOR THE WORLD CUP



1. Summary. On June 8, the Regional Embassy Office (REO)
organized an event at the Basrah Business Center (BBC) for the
political, religious and tribal leaders of Basrah to publicly
sign a declaration of peace for the period of the 2006 World Cup
in Germany, June 9 - July 9. The event also included a speech
by the Basrah Governor and the distribution of soccer
paraphernalia to 30 children representing the Shia, Sunni and
Christian communities in Basrah. The event was well attended by
67 leaders and extensively covered by over 30 local and
international media representatives. End Summary.


2. Attendees at the event included Basrah Governor Mohamed Al
Wai'li (Fadhilla) Provincial Council (PC) Chairman Mohamed Obadi
(Dawaa),PC members Sayed Bahaa Jamal Al Deen (Independent),
Aqeel Talib (Fadhilla) and Munathil Abd Khanjar (Basrah Islamic
List). Prominent religious leaders present included Sheik
Mohamed Al Mutori, Head of the Shia Endowment, Sunni leader
Sheik Khalid Al Mulla and Archbishop Gabriel Kassab. Tribal
leaders were represented by Sheik Kadim Al Gatrani, Head of
Basrah Tribal Council (Shia),Sheik Adnan Al Ghanim, Head of
Tribal Coalition (Sunni). All these individuals and others
signed the 3 ft. by 4 ft. document that proclaimed a month of
peace during the World Cup so that the children and youth of
Basrah may enjoy the games without the fear of violence.


3. The event was marked by a speech from the Governor and the
distribution of soccer gifts to the children donated by British
soccer star, David Beckham and the Real Madrid Football Club.
In addition, during the event the news was received that Al
Zarqawi had been killed. The announcement of this news by the
Governor resulted in a loud cheer from the crowd of Basrah
notables.


4. Comment: The event showed that the political, religious
and tribal leaders of Basrah can gather together under one roof
for an event that celebrates sports and children. More
importantly, in a little over a week since the Prime Minister
declared a "State of Emergency" in Basrah, the leaders of this
city seemed genuinely grateful and animated that they had all
been brought together to publicly sign a declaration of a "State
of Peace" for the World Cup. End Comment.

MARRANO