IRAQI POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS FIGURES CALL FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001955

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL PINS IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS FIGURES CALL FOR
CALM FOLLOWING SECOND SAMARRA ATTACK

Classified By: PolCouns Margaret Scobey for reasons for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) The second bombing attack on the Imam Ali al-Hadi
"al-Askariya" or golden mosque in Samarra occurred at
approximately 0900 local time June 13 resulting in the
destruction of two minarets. The first attack in February
2006 set in motion major retaliation against Sunni mosques
and an increase in nationwide sectarian violence that has
only recently begun to subside. Today's bombing has GOI
leadership anxious about maintaining security. In an effort
to prevent renewed violence, the GOI imposed a 1500 curfew on
Baghdad residents. Iraqi political and religious figures
have responded to the tragic event with calls for calm and
unity; some criticized the GOI for failing to provide
adequate security for the holy sites; Sadr called for calm
but blamed "the hidden hand" of U.S. forces for the attack
and announced three days of morning and peaceful
demonstrations against the occupation. Baghdad remains calm.

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ISCI Response
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2. (C) During a regular meeting of the Political Committee of
the U.S.-ISCI Strategic Dialogue, Vice President Abdel Mehdi
revealed breaking news of the bombing in Samarra. Abdel
Mehdi expressed concern about the situation in Samarra and
the possiblity of igniting a new cycle sectarian violence.
According to the VP, ISCI Chief Abd al Aziz al-Hakim, calling
from his hospital room in Tehran, was also extremely worried.
Abdel Abdel Mehdi feared it would be difficult to control
the situation. Sheikh Hammoudi, also present, warned of an
explosion of sectarian violence and suggested that the U.S.
send a strong signal of reassurance to the Shia, adding that
"mere statements will not be enough."


3. (U) The ISCI website carried a statement by al-Hakim
blaming Saddamists and takfiris for the tragedy. He urged the
Iraqi people not to allow themselves to be "led by terrorist
plots to ignite sectarian sedition that might culminate in a
civil war." According to press report, al-Hakim phoned both
President Talibani and PM Maliki to stress that the GOI must
carry out its duties to protect holy shrines and bring about
security and stability.

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Religious Authorities
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4. (U) Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani denounced "takfiri acts"
targeting the holy al-Askariya mosque and called for
restraint in order to "deny those fomenting sedition the
chance to carry out their schemes." Sistani called on Shia
not to carry out reprisals against Sunnis or their religious
sites. The Iraqi Sunni Muslim Scholars Council (Ulema)
blamed the Interior Ministry's special forces for the
explosion for failing to protect the holy shrine as well as
U.S. forces and the GOI for the overall negative situation in
Iraq. The Ulema's statement characterized the bombing as a
"desperate attempt to tear up the national unity of the Iraqi
people."

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Sadr Blames Occupation and GOI, Bloc Boycotts Parliament
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5. (U) Radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr condemned the
attack and called for calm. He blamed the U.S. "occupation"
for the bombing and criticized the GOI for not providing
better security. Sadr called for three days of mourning to
mark the destruction of the minarets, saying "no rival Sunni
Arab could have been responsible." Later in the day the Sadr
Council of Representatives (CoR) bloc announced its decision
to boycott Parliament until the GOI takes strong measures to
reconstruct all the Sunni and Shia shrines, beginning with
the al-Askariya mosque in Samarra. (Note: The CoR's next
session is not until June 19. End note.)

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President's Reaction
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6. (U) President Talibani condemned the "criminal explosion"
and called on Iraqis to "remain calm, show self-control, and
foil the intentions of those who want to spread the flame of
conflict and stir hostility." He blamed terrorists for the
attack and called on the Iraqi security apparatus to take
immediate steps to control the situation.

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Maliki Makes Televised Address

BAGHDAD 00001955 002 OF 002


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7. (U) Iraqiyya Television carried a recorded speech by Prime
Minister Maliki in which he blamed al-Qaida and Saddamists
for the attack and urged all who are on the side of stability
and reconciliation to condemn the attacks. The PM said he
had given orders to security forces to take more "vigilant
measures" to protect all holy shrines. Maliki urged Iraqis
to practice self-restraint and not exploit the event for
political objectives.

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VP Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party
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8. (C) The IIP issued a statement strongly denouncing the
"cowardly act" calling it a desperate attempt to launch new
waves of violence. The IIP called for unity and kinship
among all Iraqi people and for them to resist this
"conspiracy designed to fragment unity." Vice President
Hashemi's political advisor told PolOff that despite sporadic
violence "overall things are quiet," But that he was
concerned the bombing would be used as an opportunity to
pursue sectarian agenda.

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Conditions in Baghdad
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9. (C) Baghdad District Advisory Council (DAC) Chairman
Muslim Al-Falah in Kadhamiya noted horrific traffic because
of the curfew, but no demonstrations or outward signs of
anger in the area. He told Baghdad PRT that he expects
backlash, including attacks on Sunni mosques and
demonstrations. He said Sistani and other political and
religious leaders are calling for calm, which may or may not
help. Acting DAC Chair Dawood Al-Adhamy in Adhamiya said
things are calm in the Sunni part of Adhamiya so far, but
they are hunkering down in their homes and waiting to get hit
by JAM. DAC member Haydar Zeydan in Sadr City said things
are calm but tense so far. He expects demonstrations and
said since Sadr is publicly blaming CF for the bombing,
perhaps an elevation in violence against CF.


10. (C) Governor Hussein Tahan told PRTOFF that the attack
reflects badly on the central government and the coalition's
ability to provide security. He said he expects less fallout
than from the last Samara bombings because the government has
a better idea what to expect and immediately imposed a
curfew. He said they have received some reports of small
demonstrations in Shia areas and scattered violence, but that
it was hard to say if the violence was "normal" or related to
the bombing. The head of the Provincial Council security
committee, Majid Shwayli, said he expects less reaction to
this attack than the previous bombing of the shrine. He said
the immediate imposition of the curfew will probably help
keep a lid on further violence at least temporarily. Advisor
to the Minister of State for Reconciliation reports that in
the Shia-dominated Karada Baghdad neighborhood everything is
quiet and residents are abiding by the curfew.

CROCKER