Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3056
2007-09-11 15:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON CPI COMMISSIONER
how-toVZCZCXRO4208 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3056/01 2541548 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111548Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3310 INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003056
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I, NEA/POL, INL/I
JUSTICE FOR ICITAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: POL PREL IZ
SUBJECT: CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON CPI COMMISSIONER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Patricia A. Butenis for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003056
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I, NEA/POL, INL/I
JUSTICE FOR ICITAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: POL PREL IZ
SUBJECT: CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON CPI COMMISSIONER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Patricia A. Butenis for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) Summary: Iraq's head of the Commission on Public
Integrity (CPI) Radhi al-Radhi, left with a group of CPI
investigators for training in the U.S. in mid-August amid a
cloud of controversy over allegations of corruption and
official misconduct. Radhi, who has been embroiled in a
struggle for control of the CPI, apparently left with the
knowledge and consent of the GOI. Since then, he has
submitted an application for retirement (reportedly under
duress) and intends to seek asylum in the U.S. Efforts to
uncover what is going on at Iraq's central anti-corruption
office have been difficult and GOI officials have declined
to explain the situation to us. End Summary.
NO STRANGER TO CONTROVERSY
-------------- ---
2.(C) Former Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) Radhi
al-Radhi left Iraq on August 22 with a group of
investigators from the Commission on Public Integrity who
were scheduled for training in the U.S. Radhi claimed that
he wanted to travel to the U.S. with this group for
purposes of consultations with U.S. officials, and to
undergo medical treatment unavailable in Iraq. Since then,
there have been allegations of corruption against Radhi,
and claims that he fled Iraq in order to avoid
prosecution. Radhi has countered those allegations with
his own against current and former GOI officials.
3.(C) In a conversation subsequent to Radhi's arrival in
the U.S., we were told by Iraq's top investigative judge
that although Radhi had been interviewed about a series of
allegations against him and 15 other CPI employees, he was
neither asked to return for further interviews or
questioning nor limited in any way from traveling abroad.
The judge further told us that the allegations against the
CPI officials centered mostly on administrative violations
such as cronyism, hiring Ba'athists, and selective
prosecution of cases. While Radhi was free to travel, the
judge concluded, if charges are eventually filed against
him and he does not return to Iraq, he will be tried in
absentia.
WHO'S RUNNING CPI?
--------------
4.(C) The struggle for control of the CPI appears to
continue within the GOI. A series of announcements and
declarations have centered mostly on Mousa Faraj, a former
deputy commissioner at the CPI. Under Radhi's tenure as
commissioner, Faraj was removed amid charges of corruption
and selecting cases for prosecution based on sectarianism.
At the behest of GOI officials within the Prime Minister's
office, Faraj was re-installed as a deputy commissioner and
fired again for similar reasons. Faraj is currently out on
bail, awaiting a trial based upon those charges.
5.(C)EmbOffs met with senior GOI officials at the PM's
office to seek clarification on the current leadership of
the CPI. GOI officials said that when the head of an
institution is away, or otherwise unable to perform his
duties, the deputy is the interim replacement. However,
they did not clarify who the deputy is, and left the
question of who is running the CPI unanswered.
6.(C) While there are no significant new programs or
exchanges planned for the CPI, projects that are already
approved and funded include specialized training for the
investigators, training and transfer of personal weapons,
and training and transfer of surveillance equipment.
Additionally, the FY 07 Supplemental budget includes USD
five million in funding to continue the ICITAP/MPRI
training and mentoring program, and another five million
dollars for equipment -- including 500 protective vests and
25 armored vehicles for CPI employee. These projects will
continue, subject to GOI agreement and cooperation.
COMMENT
--------------
7.(C) While the circumstances surrounding Radhi's decision
to retire and seek asylum remain unclear to us, it is
apparent that we would be ill-advised to become involved in
legal and personnel matters at the CPI. While we had a
constructive working relationship with Radhi at the helm of
the CPI, it is impossible to characterize how our
relationships with an interim, or a new, commissioner might
BAGHDAD 00003056 002 OF 002
develop. Our interest in the CPI should remain one of
helping the GOI's top anti-corruption agency continue to
develop as an institution and to provide training and
assistance to the investigators and functionaries of that
institution. Post intends to continue engaging with our
working-level contacts at the CPI, offering training and
assistance to them.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I, NEA/POL, INL/I
JUSTICE FOR ICITAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: POL PREL IZ
SUBJECT: CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON CPI COMMISSIONER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Patricia A. Butenis for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) Summary: Iraq's head of the Commission on Public
Integrity (CPI) Radhi al-Radhi, left with a group of CPI
investigators for training in the U.S. in mid-August amid a
cloud of controversy over allegations of corruption and
official misconduct. Radhi, who has been embroiled in a
struggle for control of the CPI, apparently left with the
knowledge and consent of the GOI. Since then, he has
submitted an application for retirement (reportedly under
duress) and intends to seek asylum in the U.S. Efforts to
uncover what is going on at Iraq's central anti-corruption
office have been difficult and GOI officials have declined
to explain the situation to us. End Summary.
NO STRANGER TO CONTROVERSY
-------------- ---
2.(C) Former Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) Radhi
al-Radhi left Iraq on August 22 with a group of
investigators from the Commission on Public Integrity who
were scheduled for training in the U.S. Radhi claimed that
he wanted to travel to the U.S. with this group for
purposes of consultations with U.S. officials, and to
undergo medical treatment unavailable in Iraq. Since then,
there have been allegations of corruption against Radhi,
and claims that he fled Iraq in order to avoid
prosecution. Radhi has countered those allegations with
his own against current and former GOI officials.
3.(C) In a conversation subsequent to Radhi's arrival in
the U.S., we were told by Iraq's top investigative judge
that although Radhi had been interviewed about a series of
allegations against him and 15 other CPI employees, he was
neither asked to return for further interviews or
questioning nor limited in any way from traveling abroad.
The judge further told us that the allegations against the
CPI officials centered mostly on administrative violations
such as cronyism, hiring Ba'athists, and selective
prosecution of cases. While Radhi was free to travel, the
judge concluded, if charges are eventually filed against
him and he does not return to Iraq, he will be tried in
absentia.
WHO'S RUNNING CPI?
--------------
4.(C) The struggle for control of the CPI appears to
continue within the GOI. A series of announcements and
declarations have centered mostly on Mousa Faraj, a former
deputy commissioner at the CPI. Under Radhi's tenure as
commissioner, Faraj was removed amid charges of corruption
and selecting cases for prosecution based on sectarianism.
At the behest of GOI officials within the Prime Minister's
office, Faraj was re-installed as a deputy commissioner and
fired again for similar reasons. Faraj is currently out on
bail, awaiting a trial based upon those charges.
5.(C)EmbOffs met with senior GOI officials at the PM's
office to seek clarification on the current leadership of
the CPI. GOI officials said that when the head of an
institution is away, or otherwise unable to perform his
duties, the deputy is the interim replacement. However,
they did not clarify who the deputy is, and left the
question of who is running the CPI unanswered.
6.(C) While there are no significant new programs or
exchanges planned for the CPI, projects that are already
approved and funded include specialized training for the
investigators, training and transfer of personal weapons,
and training and transfer of surveillance equipment.
Additionally, the FY 07 Supplemental budget includes USD
five million in funding to continue the ICITAP/MPRI
training and mentoring program, and another five million
dollars for equipment -- including 500 protective vests and
25 armored vehicles for CPI employee. These projects will
continue, subject to GOI agreement and cooperation.
COMMENT
--------------
7.(C) While the circumstances surrounding Radhi's decision
to retire and seek asylum remain unclear to us, it is
apparent that we would be ill-advised to become involved in
legal and personnel matters at the CPI. While we had a
constructive working relationship with Radhi at the helm of
the CPI, it is impossible to characterize how our
relationships with an interim, or a new, commissioner might
BAGHDAD 00003056 002 OF 002
develop. Our interest in the CPI should remain one of
helping the GOI's top anti-corruption agency continue to
develop as an institution and to provide training and
assistance to the investigators and functionaries of that
institution. Post intends to continue engaging with our
working-level contacts at the CPI, offering training and
assistance to them.
BUTENIS