Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO3508
2006-06-06 16:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
ARAB LEAGUE CONDEMNS AMERICAN ACTIONS IN HADITHA,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #3508 1571611 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061611Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8986 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0021
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003508
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS EG IZ
SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE CONDEMNS AMERICAN ACTIONS IN HADITHA,
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN BASRA
REF: NEA/RA-ECPO E-MAILS
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003508
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS EG IZ
SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE CONDEMNS AMERICAN ACTIONS IN HADITHA,
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN BASRA
REF: NEA/RA-ECPO E-MAILS
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Following the June 4 issuance by the Arab League of a
condemnatory statement (text below) regarding the actions of
American soldiers in Haditha, Iraq, emboff complained to Arab
League Spokesman Alaa Rushdy June 6 about the content of the
statement, particularly since the incident was still under
investigation. Emboff also questioned why the Arab League
did not routinely condemn terrorist attacks against civilians
in Iraq carried out by Al Qaida and other insurgents, or
routinely condemn Iran for its role in sponsoring terrorist
attacks in Iraq that result in civilian deaths. Rushdy
reacted defensively, pointing out that the League had issued
many statements in the past condemning attacks on civilians
and on Islamic holy sites in Iraq. To illustrate the
League's attempt at balance, Rushdy said, the AL Secretariat
had also issued a second statement June 4 regarding the
deteriorating security situation in Basrah (text below).
Emboff requested that Rushdy register Washington's
disappointment with the AL statement on Haditha with the
Secretary General.
SIPDIS
2. (U) Text of Arab League statement on Haditha killings:
Title: The Arab League Expresses Its Condemnation on the
Crimes Committed by American Forces Against Iraqi Civilians.
The Arab League Secretariat expresses its condemnation and
denouncement of the crimes committed by American Forces
against Iraqi civilians which resulted in the death of
several innocent, unarmed civilians, among which were a
number of children and women.
The Arab League supports the ongoing investigations requested
by the Iraqi Government. The Arab League is also following
closely those investigations and its upcoming results that
will be announced by the American Government, reflecting
legal and criminal responsibility and the importance of
avoiding the recurrence of such inhuman and heinous practices
again.
End text.
3. (U) Text of Arab League statement on Basrah:
Title: The Arab League Condemns the Terrorist Explosions in
Basra City And Calls for Calming the Situation and Stopping
Violence.
The Arab League Secretariat is following anxiously the
escalation of violence that targeted Basra City recently
which resulted in the deaths of more innocent civilians. The
Arab League expresses its condemnation and calls for
self-restraint, in addition to calling on all concerned
parties to halt immediately those acts and avoid further
tension and the fanning of sectarian strife.
The Arab League trusts that the Iraqi Government will exert
all efforts to contain the situation and calls upon all Iraqi
factions to maintain the social texture of the Iraqi people
and its national unity.
End text.
JONES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS EG IZ
SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE CONDEMNS AMERICAN ACTIONS IN HADITHA,
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN BASRA
REF: NEA/RA-ECPO E-MAILS
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Following the June 4 issuance by the Arab League of a
condemnatory statement (text below) regarding the actions of
American soldiers in Haditha, Iraq, emboff complained to Arab
League Spokesman Alaa Rushdy June 6 about the content of the
statement, particularly since the incident was still under
investigation. Emboff also questioned why the Arab League
did not routinely condemn terrorist attacks against civilians
in Iraq carried out by Al Qaida and other insurgents, or
routinely condemn Iran for its role in sponsoring terrorist
attacks in Iraq that result in civilian deaths. Rushdy
reacted defensively, pointing out that the League had issued
many statements in the past condemning attacks on civilians
and on Islamic holy sites in Iraq. To illustrate the
League's attempt at balance, Rushdy said, the AL Secretariat
had also issued a second statement June 4 regarding the
deteriorating security situation in Basrah (text below).
Emboff requested that Rushdy register Washington's
disappointment with the AL statement on Haditha with the
Secretary General.
SIPDIS
2. (U) Text of Arab League statement on Haditha killings:
Title: The Arab League Expresses Its Condemnation on the
Crimes Committed by American Forces Against Iraqi Civilians.
The Arab League Secretariat expresses its condemnation and
denouncement of the crimes committed by American Forces
against Iraqi civilians which resulted in the death of
several innocent, unarmed civilians, among which were a
number of children and women.
The Arab League supports the ongoing investigations requested
by the Iraqi Government. The Arab League is also following
closely those investigations and its upcoming results that
will be announced by the American Government, reflecting
legal and criminal responsibility and the importance of
avoiding the recurrence of such inhuman and heinous practices
again.
End text.
3. (U) Text of Arab League statement on Basrah:
Title: The Arab League Condemns the Terrorist Explosions in
Basra City And Calls for Calming the Situation and Stopping
Violence.
The Arab League Secretariat is following anxiously the
escalation of violence that targeted Basra City recently
which resulted in the deaths of more innocent civilians. The
Arab League expresses its condemnation and calls for
self-restraint, in addition to calling on all concerned
parties to halt immediately those acts and avoid further
tension and the fanning of sectarian strife.
The Arab League trusts that the Iraqi Government will exert
all efforts to contain the situation and calls upon all Iraqi
factions to maintain the social texture of the Iraqi people
and its national unity.
End text.
JONES