Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BASRAH152
2006-09-20 07:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
REO Basrah
Cable title:  

"HONORABLE COVENANT" FOR COOPERATION AND PEACE IN DHI QAR

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8282
PP RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHBC #0152 2630755
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 200755Z SEP 06
FM REO BASRAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0462
INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBC/REO BASRAH 0481
C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000152 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: "HONORABLE COVENANT" FOR COOPERATION AND PEACE IN DHI QAR


CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)

CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000152

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: "HONORABLE COVENANT" FOR COOPERATION AND PEACE IN DHI QAR


CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)

CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)


1. (U) On September 11 tribal, religious and community leaders
in Dhi Qar province signed an Honorable Covenant in support of
the non-violent resolution of disputes. Governor Aziz Kadhum
al-Ugali convened the conference that brought the participants
together to sign the Honorable Covenant. There were
approximately 200 participants, and the key theme was promoting
cooperation and tolerance in the province, including with
Coalition Forces.


2. (U) As provided to REO Basrah from the Dhi Qar government,
the main points of the Honorable Covenant include adherence to
the following principles (informal translation follows):

- Achieving full independence for our country through realizing
the desire to rid the country of foreign powers as soon as
possible.
- Working earnestly towards the reconstruction of Iraq and
achieving a long-lasting peace in the country.
- Using Islamic principles that forbid the spilling of blood
and money and to protect the sanctity of Islam.
- Forbidding use of arms during conflicts between religious,
political and tribal parties.
- Keeping weapons only in the hands of the Iraqi security and
military forces.
- Respecting the rule of law and working within the judicial
framework when seeking resolution of disputes.
- Making illegal trespassing in public places for personal use.
- Spreading the spirit of tolerance and understanding and
rejecting racism and sectarianism.
- Using religious institutions only as places of worship and
culture for all people.
- Boycotting and severing relations with any religious, tribal,
political, civil society, official and unofficial organizations
that do not adhere to the points of this covenant.
- Assuring that government and security officials not abuse
their power and do not encroach on people's rights. It is the
responsibility of the security forces to ensure enforcement of
this.
- Affirming the right of citizens to present complaints to the
provincial council if they are subjected to any injustices by a
state institution.
- Calling on women to carry out their active roles as mothers,
wives and daughters in order to educate those around them to
cooperate with the security forces.

The agreement was drawn up by the Dhi Qar provincial council
chairman, council members and the governor. It was signed by
representatives from most political parties, tribal leaders,
clerics and other local leaders.


3. (C) Comment: The undertaking is a positive sign that the
governor and provincial council are taking steps to promote
cooperation and tolerance not only among the citizens of Dhi Qar
but with Coalition Forces as well. The impending turnover of
security control from Coalition Forces to the Iraqi Government
prompted the Dhi Qar government to present the Honorable
Covenant for signature to prominent members of the community.
As a precursor to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) on September
21, bringing together community leaders to sign such a human
rights and security statement is a major public relations coup
for the governor. Whether the transition to PIC in Dhi Qar will
happen smoothly will not be known for some time, but the
agreement establishes the framework needed for PIC to be
successful. End comment.

GROSS