Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1913
2007-06-10 14:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

SADR SEEKS TO CONNECT WITH BAGHDAD GOVERNOR

Tags:  KDEM PGOV PINR PINS IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0849
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #1913 1611410
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101410Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1621
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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).

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