SADR RAILS AGAINST COALITION FORCES AT KUFA MOSQUE

UNCLAS HILLAH 000057 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KISL IZ SUBJECT: SADR RAILS AGAINST COALITION FORCES AT KUFA MOSQUE ¶1. (U) This is a SET NAJAF cable. Sensitive, but unclassified. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY. April 7, a day after a car bombing near Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, Muqtada Al Sadr made a rare appearance and conducted the Friday Sermon at Kufa mosque. He condemned the "interference" of the US Ambassador in the affairs of the sovereign Iraqi government. He also called on the Iraqi government and international organizations to set a timeline for withdrawal of "occupation forces". Sadr declared that Iraqis were prepared to secure Iraq and that in order for this to occur the "occupiers" need to withdraw from Iraq's city centers in a real and not superficial way. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) A day after an explosion broke the usual calm surrounding Najaf's Imam Ali Shrine, Muqtada Al Sadr made a rare personal appearance to give the Friday sermon at the Kufa mosque. Sadr began by insisting that the US Ambassador was meddling in the affairs of Iraqis. He asserted that the Ambassador's actions and constant noise of foreign voices being heard by Iraq's ministers are hindering those working on forming a national government from concluding their work. ¶4. (SBU) Sadr went on to say that there were two Iraqs; one safe and one not. The "safe" Iraq, according to Sadr, is in the south, a portion of central Iraq and Kurdistan. He demanded that the occupiers remove themselves from the cities and fully hand over the security authority to Iraqis. The air space of Iraq, Sadr added, must also be controlled by the Iraqi government. The occupying forces must receive clearance from Parliament or Provincial Councils before they use Iraqi air space, according to Sadr. ¶5. (SBU) Continuing on the theme of a completely sovereign Iraq, Sadr insisted that the Iraqi justice system must be under complete Iraqi control. He also stated that there must be military and security training courses conducted away from the hand of the occupiers. "Leave us the most modern equipment", he said, "and we can defend ourselves." With the opening of the next parliament, the occupation forces must be given a schedule of withdrawal, Sadr insisted. A brigade of Iraqi military will be formed to secure the central areas of the country, according to Sadr. These areas are the most violent, he allowed, and Iraqis know best how to handle them. "This is the path to stability," he noted. Sadr closed with a demand that the Islamic Action Conference, United Nations, and Arab League create a draft agreement for the complete withdrawal of foreign forces. He made no mention of the previous day's terrorist attack. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT. It is rare for Sadr to appear in public. Of note was the lack of any statement regarding recent battles between coalition forces and the Mahdi Militia. Iraqi sources see in these battles the beginnings of an offensive by Sadr loyalists. Sadr has clearly decided that he must appear reasonable in public appearances. There is little doubt that, in private, he is conducting a campaign of disinformation and urging violence against coalition forces. Sadr also made no mention of the attack on the Imam Ali Shrine. It is curious that he would not take this opportunity to blame coalition forces. Given Sadr's ongoing PR campaign, it is surprising that he would not talk openly about this significant event. It was the "reasonable" Sadr on display during today's sermon. Make no mistake however; it was the attack and Ja'afari's embattled prime ministerial nomination that brought Sadr out on this Friday. END COMMENT. FONTENEAU