SADR SEEKS TO CONNECT WITH BAGHDAD GOVERNOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001913 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2017 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PINR PINS IZ SUBJECT: SADR SEEKS TO CONNECT WITH BAGHDAD GOVERNOR Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Gilchrist for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a Baghdad PRT Reporting Cable. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: Baghdad Governor Hussein al-Tahan (Badr) told PRToff on June 7 that he was recently invited to a conference of provincial governors hosted by Moqtada al-Sadr. Governor Tahan's Deputy Governor Qassim N'ima al-Duraji (Sadrist) attended the conference and returned to explain a Sadr initiative which will emplace two new Sadrist officials in the city to serve as liaisons to the provincial government. END SUMMARY. -------------- SADR INVITES GOVERNORS TO CONFERENCE -------------- ¶3. (C) Baghdad Governor Hussein al-Tahan (Badr) told PRToff on June 7 that he recently received an invitation from Moqtada al-Sadr to attend a conference with other provincial governors. Tahan did not state the date of the conference, its location or the complete list of attendees, but he said that he refused to go and delegated his Deputy Governor Qassim N'ima al-Duraji (Sadrist) to go in his stead. Tahan said that the governors of Wassit and Babil did attend, but others like himself and the governor of Dhi Qar refused the invitation. ¶4. (C) Tahan said that he told Deputy Governor Duraji to convey two messages directly to Sadr. Both messages concerned the activities of Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) operatives. The first message was that JAM kidnapping of "wealthy families" is causing problems and the practice must stop. The second was that JAM elements are taking a huge cut, sometimes 30%, of municipal contracts tendered by the Amanat (City Hall),and this practice must also stop. (Note: Tahan implied that these were not merely personal concerns, but the view of his Badr/ISCI colleagues as well. He did not specify which wealthy families were being targeted, but it seemed as though some well-connected elites have voiced their concerns to the Governor. End note.) ¶5. (C) Duraji reportedly conveyed these messages to Sadr and told Tahan that Sadr expressed concern over these seemingly "rogue elements" of his organization. Duraji told Tahan that Sadr promised to crack down on these illegal activities. -------------- NEW SADRIST LIAISON OFFICES -------------- ¶6. (C) Duraji also told Tahan that Sadr was planning to assign two new officials of his organization to Baghdad to work more closely with the provincial government. One official would be responsible for Karkh (the west side of Baghdad) and the other for Rusafa (east side). Tahan said that these members of Sadr's political organization would respond to the Governor's concerns about JAM and OMS (Office of the Martyr Sadr) activities. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: Tahan stated his belief that Sadr is looking to be more involved in the political process, and the responses he received from Sadr seemed to be part of a larger initiative that involves efforts at the national, provincial and local levels, as well as international outreach. When asked about possible Badr vs. Sadrist tension in Baghdad, Tahan said that while some local militia units may face off from time to time, there will not be widespread conflict between these two elements in Baghdad; this cohabitation on the streets may reflect the broader political accomodation these factions are seeking in governing the nation's capital. END COMMENT. CROCKER