SHIA CLERIC BAHR AL-ALOOM DISCUSSES SAMARRA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002019

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017
TAGS: IR IZ KISL PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: SHIA CLERIC BAHR AL-ALOOM DISCUSSES SAMARRA
BOMBING, U.S.-IRAN DIALOGUE WITH AMBASSADOR


Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Highly respected Shia cleric from Najaf and
former Iraqi Governing Council member Seyyid Muhammed Bahr
al-Aloom met with the Ambassador June 15. Bahr al-Aloom
shared the Ambassador's optimism concerning the positive
stance taken by Iraqi political and religious leaders
following the June 13 bombing of the al-Askariya mosque in
Samarra. Bahr al-Aloom complained that Iraq was caught in a
fight between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and he called for the
U.S. to broker an agreement between the two. Highlighting
the importance Iraqis place on the U.S.-Iranian dialogue, he
argued that negative Iranian interference in Iraq would be
ameliorated if Tehran had "assurances" that the U.S. was not
a threat. End Summary.

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Positive Reactions to Samarra Bombing
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2. (C) Bahr al-Aloom thanked the Ambassador for President
Bush's statement condemning the second Samarra bombing June

13. He noted the positive stance of the Najaf religious
authorities in using their substantial influence over Shia to
call for calm and self-restrain. Bahr al-Aloom claimed he
had a role in convincing Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to refrain
from any statements implying U.S. responsibility for the
attack. Bahr al-Aloom also praised Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki and characterized his visit to the holy site after
the attack as a brave step. The Ambassador and Bahr al-Aloom
agreed that the consistent response by the political and
religious leadership, and the cohesion of Iraqis, was a
reason for optimism.

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Must Begin Rebuilding
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3. (C) "We are still in shock and containing our emotions,"
said Bahr al-Aloom. In order to make use of the relative
calm, Bahr al-Aloom asked that the U.S. pressure the GOI to
secure the road to Samarra and begin rebuilding the
al-Askariya shrine quickly. The U.S., he said, also has a
responsibility to protect Iraqi holy sites. On this the
Ambassador disagreed, insisting that the responsibility was
entirely Iraqi. Nonetheless, the Ambassador said that the
U.S. was ready to assist and that President Bush had told PM
Maliki that the U.S. is prepared to finance the shrine's
reconstruction.

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Iraq Caught Between Iran and Arab Neighbors
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4. (C) Bahr al-Aloom complained that Iraq is caught between
Iran and Saudi Arabia, and that until an understanding was
reached between the two, Iraq would remain "only a ball to
kick around." Iraqis do not want to be under the control of
anyone -- not Iran, Saudi Arabia, or the United States, he
said. Bahr al-Aloom suggested that the U.S. broker an
understanding between Saudi Arabia and Iran. There will be
no stability in Iraq," he said, "until the Arabs and Iran
stop what they are doing on the ground." The U.S. maintains
the position that the neighbors need to play a more positive
role in supporting Iraqi security and prosperity, the
Ambassador told Bahr al-Aloom. The Ambassador pointed to the
nefarious behavior of Syria and Iran in Iraq as particularly
harmful to Iraqi peace and security.

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U.S.-Iran Dialogue
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5. (C) Bahr al-Aloom said that Iraqis placed high hopes in
the U.S.-Iran dialogue on Iraq launched May 28. He said the
talks were important to "lessen the pressure" on Iran and
relieve its fear and anxiety about the U.S. The Ambassador
replied that he found it hard to understand why the Iranians
would need assurances from the U.S., which had eliminated its
main rivals, Saddam and the Taliban. The Ambassador noted
Iranian efforts in support of militias and terrorist
activities that resulted in the deaths of Iraqi and Coalition
Forces. Iran acts as if it wants to turn Iraq into another
Lebanon, the Ambassador told Bahr al-Aloom, asking how could
Iran believe it was in its own interest to destabilize Iraq.
Bahr al-Aloom insisted, nevertheless, that Iran could be
convinced to stop its negative interference if it only had
more "assurances" from the U.S.

CROCKER