ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF KURDISTAN PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001969

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2017
TAGS: PREF PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF KURDISTAN PARTY

Classified By: Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Gilchri
st for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

This is a Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) Cable.


1. (C) SUMMARY: Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (IMK) members
told RRT Erbil they seek consistent dialogue with the US,
recognition and funding from the two dominant political
parties of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG),and
representation in the Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA).
Weakened financially, excluded politically, IMK is attempting
to reintegrate into Iraqi Kurdistan politics as a credible
minority party but must first clear its name of any Al-Qaeda
affiliation. IMK leaders want a multi-party meeting, to
include participation from the RRT. End summary.


2. (SBU) On May 20 in Sulaimaniyah, RRTOff met with IMK
Sulaimaniyah Bureau leaders Muhamed Omer Abulaziz, Head of
Public Relations, Haji Answar Ahmed, Organizational Division
of the Politburo, and Abdul Rahman Muhamed, Chief of
Leadership Committee.

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BACKGROUND
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3. (SBU) Abdul Rahman Muhamed told RRTOff that the IMK was
founded secretly in 1978 but announced publicly in 1987.
Sheik Uthman Abd Al-Aziz and other Sunni religious judges led
this Islamic movement that was centered in Halabja,
Sulaimaniyah Province near the Iranian border. The IMK
leader, Mullah Ali Abd Al-Aziz Halabji, recently deceased,
supported a federal Iraq and renamed the party "Islamic
Movement in Kurdistan ) Iraq." IMK activities include
providing assistance to the poor, guidance on Islamic beliefs
and practices, sports activities for the youth, and
educational programs to promote ethics and community service.
IMK has political and media centers in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah
city, Halabja, and Baghdad. There are IMK representative
offices in London, Syria, and Iran.

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NO IMK LEADER
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4. (C) To replace Mullah Ali Abd Al-Aziz Halabji who died in
London on March 17, 2007, IMK members said they will hold a
conference with the party's members. The IMK politburo will
then meet and later confer with the different IMK's
counselors working on regulation, public relations,
information, social affairs, and general party matters, to
come to a consensus.

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IMK AND THE KRG
--------------


5. (C) The IMK members summarized to RRTOff their party's
engagement in the KRG:

-- In 1992 IMK participated in Kurdish parliamentary
elections and won five percent of the votes but did not
obtain a seat in the KNA.

-- From 1995 to 1997, the IMK held two ministerial positions
(Agriculture and Justice) in the Iraqi Kurdistan unified
government in Erbil.

-- From 1997 to 2003, after the split between Kurdistan
Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
(PUK),IMK had several positions in the PUK-dominated
administration in Sulaimaniyah Province.

-- Since 2003, IMK has been excluded from the KRG government
and cut off from financial support from the PUK which it
received from 1997 to 2003.

-- In 2003, the IMK also demilitarized and turned in its
weapons to the Iraqi police.

-- In 2005 Kurdish legislative elections, the IMK tried to be
integrated into KDP and PUK lists but failed. It obtained
80,200 votes and no seats in the KNA.

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POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL EXCLUSION
--------------


6. (C) IMK members complained to RRTOff of their exclusion
from political party meetings in Sulaimaniyah Province, KRG
funding, and representation in the KNA, unlike other minority
parties such as the Socialist Party and the Toilers Party.
IMK said the PUK and KDP told them that the Americans

BAGHDAD 00001969 002 OF 002


instructed the two dominant Kurdish parties to cut off KRG
financing to the IMK.


7. (C) Support for the IMK comes from the people in the
lower socio-economic brackets, IMK members stated. They
remarked IMK funding also comes from merchants, large donors,
private parties, and zaqat (religious tax). They believe,
however, the IMK is entitled to KRG funding. IMK members
said that they receive no funding from foreign countries,
including Iran or Syria. (Note: It is highly unlikely this
is true.)


8. (C) IMK members pointed to other forms of exclusion such
as denial of government jobs. They said the IMK sent in
application letters for 1,500 IMK laborers which have not
been approved. IMK members also noted that some of its
members have been arrested and detained without charges by
the PUK intelligence service. They said they attempted to
dialogue with the PUK leadership but have been ignored.

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MORE DIALOGUE WITH THE US AND KRG
--------------


9. (C) IMK expressed its desire for increased contact with
the USG which would improve its standing with the
Sulaimaniyah provincial government, the KDP and PUK, and the
KRG. IMK members assured RRTOff that time will demonstrate
their credibility as a stable political party.


10. (C) IMK members asked RRTOff to support a multi-party
conference in Sulaimaniyah Province which would include the
IMK. IMK members did not give a specific agenda but seek
coordination and support from both the KDP and PUK. They
also requested to meet with KRG representatives and US
Embassy officials to "end all misunderstandings" regarding
their political engagements. IMK members said its name
continues to be wrongly identified with groups carrying out
terrorist acts. (Note: According to various sources and
press accounts, Al-Qaeda affiliated groups -- Ansar Al-Islam,
Jund Al-Islam, and Kurdistan Brigades are in part formed from
previous IMK members.)

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COMMENT
--------------


11. (C) The IMK is financially and politically weakened and
is now attempting to reintegrate itself as a minority party
in Iraqi Kurdistan politics. To do so it must clear its name
of any Al-Qaeda affiliation. It is difficult to verify and
measure IMK's recent role and influence within insurgent
groups in Sulaimaniyah Province. It is equally unclear where
IMK will turn to in the future for financial assistance if
the PUK and KDP continue to refuse IMK's rapprochement
attempt.


12. (C) RRTOff supports increased dialogue among moderate
Kurdish majority and minority political parties to promote
openness in the political system. However, IMK has been
linked in the past to Al-Qaeda, and it is difficult to
ascertain the party's current relationship with its splinter
groups in Sulaimaniyah Province. A multi-party conference in
Sulaimaniyah Province including the IMK would likely elicit
resistance by the PUK which is determined to maintain
domination of political life in the province.
CROCKER