Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD501
2007-02-13 15:16:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MASHHADANI'S MELTDOWN
how-toVZCZCXRO6214 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0501/01 0441516 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 131516Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9613 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 000501
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MASHHADANI'S MELTDOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 000501
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MASHHADANI'S MELTDOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY: A February 10th working dinner,
intended to facilitate intra-Sunni dialogue, devolved into a
shouting match between Iraqi Minister of Defense Abdul Qader
Mohammed al-Ubadyi and Council of Representatives (CoR)
Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, with the Speaker storming out.
Mashhadani spent most of the evening complaining of Qader's
poor performance, accusing him of being unwilling to prevent
the killing or displacement of thousands of Iraqi Sunnis and
allowing the MOD to become Shia-dominated. After over an
hour of complaints, Qader responded that as Defense Minister
he is responsible to all Iraqis, regardless of sect. He
cited many examples of the Iraqi Army fighting Shia militias
throughout the country, emphasizing that the MOD is taking
steps to ensure a proper sectarian balance in the Army and
security for all.
2. (S//REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY CONTINUED: MNF-I Commanding
General Petraeus emphasized his high opinion of Qader and
told Mashhadani that the Sunni leadership must renounce the
insurgency. He noted that the sectarian balance within the
MOD would improve if Sunnis joined the Army adding that the
Speaker should encourage this. When Qader asked Mashhadani
to clarify his conflicting public statements regarding
Coalition Forces, Mashhadani exploded, calling Qader
"filthy", a traitor, and threatening to "smash" his head. He
then stormed out of the dinner. END SUMMARY.
3. (S//REL UK, AUS) On February 10, Ambassador Khalilzad
hosted a working dinner for Minister of Defense Abdul Qader
Mohammed al-Ubadyi and Council of Representatives (CoR)
Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, hoping that the two could
begin to work through the issues that divide them. Also in
attendance were Tawafuq Front CoR member Hasan Degan, British
Ambassador Asquith, and MNF-I Commanding General Petraeus.
--------------
MOD Has Allowed Baghdad to Become a Shia City
--------------
4. (S//REL UK, AUS) Claiming that he was expressing the views
of the "Sunni street" and the Tawafuq Front -- with which he
said he did not entirely agree -- Mashhadani argued that
Abdul Qader's tenure has been a disaster for Iraq's Sunnis.
He said that while Qader had been nominated by Tawafuq to be
the leader of a "Sunni ministry," it had in fact become
Shia-dominated, thousands of Sunnis had been killed, and
Sunni areas in Bahgdad, including Mashhadani's own, had been
subjected to sectarian cleansing. Asserting that the Iraqi
Army (IA) was now little more than an extension of Jaysh
al-Mahdi (JAM),Mashhadani said that the IA actively
participated in sectarian activities, routinely raping Sunni
women (including eight of Mashhadani's cousins) and
committing thousands of killings. He said that Abdul Qader
personally might be a good man, but that he had been
ineffective in protecting Sunnis and asserting their rights.
Also criticizing other Sunni politicians, such as Deputy
Prime Minister Zubaie, Mashhadani claimed to be the only one
defending Sunni interests.
--------------
Mashhadani: Sunni's Have Gained Nothing
--------------
5. (S//REL UK, AUS) Mashhadani said that the Sunnis had
provided the GOI with the "gift of legitimacy" only to
receive violence and discrimination in return. He said that
sectarian displacement, firings, and De-Baathification
specifically targeted Sunnis. He also argued that
"parliamentary terror" brands Sunnis as terrorist supporters
merely for raising concerns about security and justice.
Mashhadani said he could not name a single positive benefit
Sunnis had received from the government, but could list at
least one hundred areas where they had lost ground. He
claimed to be the only Sunni leader that Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki had not "bent," while at the same time arguing that
he was unable to accomplish much because of the terrible
security situation. He concluded that the future of Tawafuq
is in doubt, as well as its participation in the Iraqi
Government.
6. (S//REL UK, AUS) Ambassador Khalilzad cautioned that
leaving the government would be a disastrous mistake, since
it would deprive the Sunni community of its political voice.
Mashhadani responded that if Tawafuq did remain it would only
be for "the sake of Iraq," adding Tawafuq is in an
BAGHDAD 00000501 002 OF 003
"unenviable position" because of the lack of security. He
stated that he hoped that the new security plan would
succeed, but then immediately complained that he had not been
consulted on the plan. He said that Abdul Qader and Maliki
sent its details "straight to Iran and JAM." He concluded
that the CoR cannot fully play its role under Maliki, the
"new Saddam," adding that the Kurds and Sunnis would suffer
an even worse in the future.
--------------
Minister Qader Responds
--------------
7. (S//REL UK, AUS) Abdul Qader forcefully responded to
Mashhadani's harangue, arguing that the MOD works
transparently through the Ministerial Council for National
Security (MCNS). He said that he swore an oath on the Koran
to serve all Iraqis, regardless of sect or party. He noted
that he has pushed for legislation to severely punish
sectarian activity. Abdul Qader bristled at Mashhadani's
notion that he had not promoted Sunnis, noting that
promotions and assignments are made by a joint
Iraqi-Coalition review board which has rejected several of
Maliki's candidates.
8. (S//REL UK, AUS) Abdul Qader emphasized his success in
building an "Iraqi" army that the people trust more than any
other government institution. He said that he ha presented a
reform plan to the MCNS, adding that on February 9th he tried
to brief the CoR but was removed from the agenda due to time
constraints. He offered to brief Mashhadani within
forty-eight hours, but Mashhadani did not respond.
Discounting much of the information given to Tawafuq
concerning the IA's involvement in sectarian violence, Abdul
Qader suggested that the accusations were from "unqualified
people with ulterior motives". He concluded that in reality
the Iraqi Army is fighting all over the country without
regard to sect, citing examples of the 8th IA's actions in
Diwaniyah, the 10th's in Samawah, and the recent battle
against Shia extremists near Najaf.
-------------- -
CG: Sunnis Must Renounce AQI and Join the Army
-------------- -
9. (S//REL UK, AUS) Commanding General Petraeus stated that
he held Minister Abdul Qader in high regard. At the same
time, he bluntly told Mashhadani that to establish security,
the Sunni leadership must renounce the insurgency and
violence. He noted that the Iraqi Army in Al-Anbar is at
less than fifty percent strength because young Sunni men were
not joining. He said this needed to change. Petraeus
pledged to work to improve security, adding that both
Coalition and Iraqi forces have fought and died side-by-side
in the effort to achieve it. Required by his schedule to
leave, Petraeus pledged his support to Speaker Mashhadani,
but emphasized that the Sunnis must make greater efforts in
renouncing the insurgency and supporting the political
process.
--------------
Mashhadani Threatens, Spews Venom and Leaves
--------------
10. (S//REL UK, AUS) The conversation became progressively
more heated, with Mashhadani threatening to bring Abdul Qader
before the CoR. He warned Qader "we have a file," implying
that Qader was corrupt. Abdul Qader visibly blanched at this
and stated that "he would not be unhappy if he were removed"
from his position. Abdul Qader then asked Mashhadani to
clarify his apparently contradictory public positions on the
Coalition, noting that while he often says that only the
Coalition is able to protect Sunnis, at other times he
praises the insurgency as the "honorable resistance." At
this, Mashhadani exploded, shouting that he would never
condemn "those who defend an occupied country" and that he
would gladly "stand on the table and denounce Bush." He
called Abdul Qader "filthy" and threatened to "smash" his
head". He then stormed out, taking Degan with him.
--------------
Reaction
--------------
11. (S//REL UK, AUS) The Speaker's outburst left the table
incredulous. Abdul Qader referred to Degan as a "prince of
terror" and suggested that Mashhadani was "deranged." Their
"strange logic," he said, made it "impossible to know what
BAGHDAD 00000501 003 OF 003
they want." He added that Mashhadani's irresponsible
radicalism has divided the CoR. Ambassador Khalilzad
lamented Mashhadani's behavior. He added that the Speaker
must be under great pressure from all sides: the Sunni
population, the insurgency, and Al Qaida in Iraq. He said
that this evening underscored the need to improve security so
that Sunni leaders might be better positioned to display
greater pragmatism and flexibility. Citing Mashhadani as a
prime example, the Ambassador lamented the lack of quality
leaders among the Sunni.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MASHHADANI'S MELTDOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY: A February 10th working dinner,
intended to facilitate intra-Sunni dialogue, devolved into a
shouting match between Iraqi Minister of Defense Abdul Qader
Mohammed al-Ubadyi and Council of Representatives (CoR)
Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, with the Speaker storming out.
Mashhadani spent most of the evening complaining of Qader's
poor performance, accusing him of being unwilling to prevent
the killing or displacement of thousands of Iraqi Sunnis and
allowing the MOD to become Shia-dominated. After over an
hour of complaints, Qader responded that as Defense Minister
he is responsible to all Iraqis, regardless of sect. He
cited many examples of the Iraqi Army fighting Shia militias
throughout the country, emphasizing that the MOD is taking
steps to ensure a proper sectarian balance in the Army and
security for all.
2. (S//REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY CONTINUED: MNF-I Commanding
General Petraeus emphasized his high opinion of Qader and
told Mashhadani that the Sunni leadership must renounce the
insurgency. He noted that the sectarian balance within the
MOD would improve if Sunnis joined the Army adding that the
Speaker should encourage this. When Qader asked Mashhadani
to clarify his conflicting public statements regarding
Coalition Forces, Mashhadani exploded, calling Qader
"filthy", a traitor, and threatening to "smash" his head. He
then stormed out of the dinner. END SUMMARY.
3. (S//REL UK, AUS) On February 10, Ambassador Khalilzad
hosted a working dinner for Minister of Defense Abdul Qader
Mohammed al-Ubadyi and Council of Representatives (CoR)
Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, hoping that the two could
begin to work through the issues that divide them. Also in
attendance were Tawafuq Front CoR member Hasan Degan, British
Ambassador Asquith, and MNF-I Commanding General Petraeus.
--------------
MOD Has Allowed Baghdad to Become a Shia City
--------------
4. (S//REL UK, AUS) Claiming that he was expressing the views
of the "Sunni street" and the Tawafuq Front -- with which he
said he did not entirely agree -- Mashhadani argued that
Abdul Qader's tenure has been a disaster for Iraq's Sunnis.
He said that while Qader had been nominated by Tawafuq to be
the leader of a "Sunni ministry," it had in fact become
Shia-dominated, thousands of Sunnis had been killed, and
Sunni areas in Bahgdad, including Mashhadani's own, had been
subjected to sectarian cleansing. Asserting that the Iraqi
Army (IA) was now little more than an extension of Jaysh
al-Mahdi (JAM),Mashhadani said that the IA actively
participated in sectarian activities, routinely raping Sunni
women (including eight of Mashhadani's cousins) and
committing thousands of killings. He said that Abdul Qader
personally might be a good man, but that he had been
ineffective in protecting Sunnis and asserting their rights.
Also criticizing other Sunni politicians, such as Deputy
Prime Minister Zubaie, Mashhadani claimed to be the only one
defending Sunni interests.
--------------
Mashhadani: Sunni's Have Gained Nothing
--------------
5. (S//REL UK, AUS) Mashhadani said that the Sunnis had
provided the GOI with the "gift of legitimacy" only to
receive violence and discrimination in return. He said that
sectarian displacement, firings, and De-Baathification
specifically targeted Sunnis. He also argued that
"parliamentary terror" brands Sunnis as terrorist supporters
merely for raising concerns about security and justice.
Mashhadani said he could not name a single positive benefit
Sunnis had received from the government, but could list at
least one hundred areas where they had lost ground. He
claimed to be the only Sunni leader that Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki had not "bent," while at the same time arguing that
he was unable to accomplish much because of the terrible
security situation. He concluded that the future of Tawafuq
is in doubt, as well as its participation in the Iraqi
Government.
6. (S//REL UK, AUS) Ambassador Khalilzad cautioned that
leaving the government would be a disastrous mistake, since
it would deprive the Sunni community of its political voice.
Mashhadani responded that if Tawafuq did remain it would only
be for "the sake of Iraq," adding Tawafuq is in an
BAGHDAD 00000501 002 OF 003
"unenviable position" because of the lack of security. He
stated that he hoped that the new security plan would
succeed, but then immediately complained that he had not been
consulted on the plan. He said that Abdul Qader and Maliki
sent its details "straight to Iran and JAM." He concluded
that the CoR cannot fully play its role under Maliki, the
"new Saddam," adding that the Kurds and Sunnis would suffer
an even worse in the future.
--------------
Minister Qader Responds
--------------
7. (S//REL UK, AUS) Abdul Qader forcefully responded to
Mashhadani's harangue, arguing that the MOD works
transparently through the Ministerial Council for National
Security (MCNS). He said that he swore an oath on the Koran
to serve all Iraqis, regardless of sect or party. He noted
that he has pushed for legislation to severely punish
sectarian activity. Abdul Qader bristled at Mashhadani's
notion that he had not promoted Sunnis, noting that
promotions and assignments are made by a joint
Iraqi-Coalition review board which has rejected several of
Maliki's candidates.
8. (S//REL UK, AUS) Abdul Qader emphasized his success in
building an "Iraqi" army that the people trust more than any
other government institution. He said that he ha presented a
reform plan to the MCNS, adding that on February 9th he tried
to brief the CoR but was removed from the agenda due to time
constraints. He offered to brief Mashhadani within
forty-eight hours, but Mashhadani did not respond.
Discounting much of the information given to Tawafuq
concerning the IA's involvement in sectarian violence, Abdul
Qader suggested that the accusations were from "unqualified
people with ulterior motives". He concluded that in reality
the Iraqi Army is fighting all over the country without
regard to sect, citing examples of the 8th IA's actions in
Diwaniyah, the 10th's in Samawah, and the recent battle
against Shia extremists near Najaf.
-------------- -
CG: Sunnis Must Renounce AQI and Join the Army
-------------- -
9. (S//REL UK, AUS) Commanding General Petraeus stated that
he held Minister Abdul Qader in high regard. At the same
time, he bluntly told Mashhadani that to establish security,
the Sunni leadership must renounce the insurgency and
violence. He noted that the Iraqi Army in Al-Anbar is at
less than fifty percent strength because young Sunni men were
not joining. He said this needed to change. Petraeus
pledged to work to improve security, adding that both
Coalition and Iraqi forces have fought and died side-by-side
in the effort to achieve it. Required by his schedule to
leave, Petraeus pledged his support to Speaker Mashhadani,
but emphasized that the Sunnis must make greater efforts in
renouncing the insurgency and supporting the political
process.
--------------
Mashhadani Threatens, Spews Venom and Leaves
--------------
10. (S//REL UK, AUS) The conversation became progressively
more heated, with Mashhadani threatening to bring Abdul Qader
before the CoR. He warned Qader "we have a file," implying
that Qader was corrupt. Abdul Qader visibly blanched at this
and stated that "he would not be unhappy if he were removed"
from his position. Abdul Qader then asked Mashhadani to
clarify his apparently contradictory public positions on the
Coalition, noting that while he often says that only the
Coalition is able to protect Sunnis, at other times he
praises the insurgency as the "honorable resistance." At
this, Mashhadani exploded, shouting that he would never
condemn "those who defend an occupied country" and that he
would gladly "stand on the table and denounce Bush." He
called Abdul Qader "filthy" and threatened to "smash" his
head". He then stormed out, taking Degan with him.
--------------
Reaction
--------------
11. (S//REL UK, AUS) The Speaker's outburst left the table
incredulous. Abdul Qader referred to Degan as a "prince of
terror" and suggested that Mashhadani was "deranged." Their
"strange logic," he said, made it "impossible to know what
BAGHDAD 00000501 003 OF 003
they want." He added that Mashhadani's irresponsible
radicalism has divided the CoR. Ambassador Khalilzad
lamented Mashhadani's behavior. He added that the Speaker
must be under great pressure from all sides: the Sunni
population, the insurgency, and Al Qaida in Iraq. He said
that this evening underscored the need to improve security so
that Sunni leaders might be better positioned to display
greater pragmatism and flexibility. Citing Mashhadani as a
prime example, the Ambassador lamented the lack of quality
leaders among the Sunni.
SPECKHARD