IRAQIYYA COR MEMBERS DISCUSS MOI ACCUSATIONS

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003422 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PINS IR IZ SUBJECT: IRAQIYYA COR MEMBERS DISCUSS MOI ACCUSATIONS AGAINST AYAD ALLAWI, INFLUENCE OF IRAN REF: A) VOICES OF IRAQ ARTICLE (10/9/07) B) BAGHDAD O-I 9/20/07 C) LETTER FROM HUSAM AL-AZZAWI Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Robert Waller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: Iraqiyya Council of Representatives (CoR) members Husam Abd Karim al-Azzawi, Sheikh Khairallah al-Basri, and Alia Nasif Jasim al-Ubeidi told PolCouns and PolOff in a meeting October 9 the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has falsely accused Ayad Allawi of having links to Jund al-Samaa or "Soldiers of Heaven," (a Shiite terrorist group), reportedly involved in incidents near Najaf in January 2007. Iraqiyya, in a press conference on October 9, demanded an apology from the GOI regarding these accusations. The three Iraqiyya members believe the MOI and Iran want to slander Ayad Allawi's reputation. Azzawi is trying to form an independent committee in the CoR to review these incidents, with participation from CoR members, the UN, Presidency Council, and others. Throughout this meeting and another on October 10, Azzawi and the other Iraqiyya members relayed their fears regarding Iran's influence in Iraq and urged USG involvement to thwart this influence. End summary. ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ALLAWI -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Iraqiyya members Husam Abd Karim al-Azzawi, Sheikh Khairallah al-Basri, and Alia Nasif Jasim al-Ubeidi told PolCouns and PolOff that Iraqiyya is asking the MOI to apologize for accusing Ayad Allawi of having links to Jund al-Samaa or "Soldiers of Heaven," a terrorist group involved in incidents near Najaf in January 2007. At a recent press conference, MOI spokesman and Director of the National Command Center Abdul Karim Khalaf showed videotaped "confessions" ostensibly revealing ties between the leader of Jund al-Samaa and Allawi. Specifically, the MOI claims the leader of Jund al-Samaa, Diyaa Abdullah al-Karaawi, received financial support from Ayad Allawi and that a meeting was arranged between the two men in Egypt (ref A). Jund al-Samaa, a Shiite armed group, is believed to be responsible for various assassinations and attacks in Iraq. ¶3. (S/NF) The trio argued that the motive for the MOI's investigation is to slander Allawi's reputation. Azzawi said he plans to gain support from the CoR, the United Nations, Presidency Council, and others, to form an independent committee in the CoR to review this incident. He believes the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council should also be involved. He fears Allawi is a target, he said, "because he knows the size of Iran's operations in Iraq." (Note: In a separate meeting, an independent CoR member told Poloff that the allegations against Allawi originated in the Prime Minister's Office. End note) IRAN'S INTERFERENCE -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) Sheikh Khairallah reiterated several times that Iran is trying to become an atomic power. Because Allawi realizes "the extent of danger" Iran poses, the Iranians are going after him through their GOI contacts. Likewise, Azzawi said national reconciliation is failing because of Iran's influence, which the GOI is too weak to resist. He claimed Iran is recruiting militias and individuals in the GOI because it wants the GOI political apparatus to fail. He urged the US to partner with the EU and form a committee to "isolate Iran" (sic). He commented he is working with the Iraq National Dialogue Front (INDF),Tawafuq, and even some members of the Shia coalition to combat Iranian interference, including financial support and weapons flowing from Iran. ALLAWI'S SAFETY -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Alia al-Ubeidi underscored her concern for Allawi's safety. (As reported Ref B, she had previously raised these concerns with DepPolCouns and PolOff following Allawi's alleged meetings with Ba'ath party members in Jordan.) She reiterated that Iranian intelligence is out to assassinate Allawi. Izzat Shahbandar, Iraqiyya spokesman, also raised this threat on Dubai al-Sharqiyah television on October 9, saying Iran was trying to "discredit Allawi politically and liquidate him physically." Husam al-Azzawi also sent PolOff a letter on October 12 regarding intelligence that members of Jaysh al-Mahdi who have connections with Iran may be trying to assassinate Dr. Ayad Allawi (ref C). CROCKER