FORMATION OF LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000693 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM IZ SUBJECT: FORMATION OF LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN IRAQI KURDISTAN Classified By: RRT Erbil Leader James Yellin, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) This is an Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) cable. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Newscaster and political activist Farhad Sangawi told RRT Offs on February 10 that he is forming a liberal-democratic party in Sulaimaniyah Province in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Sangawi does not constitute at this stage a threat to the dominance of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in the province. In any event, his formation of a political party is indicative of popular dissatisfaction with and the lack of openness in the political status quo. END SUMMARY -------------- OPENING REMARKS OF CAUTION -------------- ¶2. (C) RRT Off met Farhad Sangawi in Sulaimaniyah on February 10. He told RRT Off that he intends to create a liberal-democratic political party in Sulaimaniyah Province. Sangawi stressed that the current dominant party ) the PUK ) often monitored his movements and cell phone calls and resisted his attempts to break away from the PUK. Sangawi said he is a PUK member in name only and feels he will be a victim of harassment if he pursues his own political objectives without international or U.S. support. He cited common ideological principles with the U.S. -------------- THE NEW OPPOSITION -------------- ¶3. (C) Farhad Sangawi said there are Islamic and communist groups which are gaining support in Iraqi Kurdistan, collectively called the new opposition. Sangawi,s movement does not align itself with them, nor with the two dominant parties of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region -- the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He pointed out that the PUK and KDP were based on tribal affiliations but his new liberal-democratic party was goal oriented. -------------- A LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY -------------- ¶4. (C) According to Farhad Sangawi, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region needs a liberal-democratic party promoting: -- Secular democratic government. -- Individual freedom and democratic reform. -- Gender equality. -- Independent media and freedom of opinion. -- Multi-party political system with free elections. -- Freedom from corruption in government spending. -- Armed forces independent of political parties. -- Free-market economy balanced with social services and assistance programs. -- Anti-terrorist policy. ¶5. (C) When questioned about the members of his liberal-democratic movement, Farhad Sangawi said he personally selected the nearly 20 staff members who were technocrats, educated artists, semi-skilled laborers, women and the youth. He noted a preference to recruit secular, well-educated people both in Iraqi Kurdistan and abroad. ¶6. (C) Farhad Sangawi told RRT Off that the party,s first order of business is to establish an anti-corruption committee to promote accountability in the government and among his party members. This will involve, Sangawi stressed, having access to an independent media. Second, the party will establish an administrative committee, he said. Third, the liberal-democratic party, he continued, will put forth a political project which would address the Article 140 referendum process for Kirkuk. Sangawi did not provide details on his proposed project. ¶7. (C) Farhad Sangawi stated that to form a legal party he needs a party license but this is an arduous process given the government bureaucracy. He said the PUK will block any attempt to obtain a party license and therefore he must operate informally and maintain a low public profile. BAGHDAD 00000693 002 OF 002 -------------- PUK RESISTANCE AND INTERFERENCE -------------- ¶8. (C) Farhad Sangawi mentioned that the PUK in 2005 appreciated his efforts to get the citizenry to the polls during the elections but that his activity has ceased to benefit PUK interests and consequently his services are no longer required. ¶9. (C) Farhad Sangawi explained that the PUK intimidated him because it disapproved of his independent political ambition. He said PUK members President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Barham Salih, as well as Hero Talabani (wife of President Talabani) prevented him from getting U.S. support and President Talabani ignored in 2006 his request for security assistance. ¶10. (C) Farhad Sangawi pointed out that the PUK profits financially through its control of the market, such as real estate and contracting deals. He noted the case of the Azmar Mountain tunnel whereby the KRG Prime Minister and Hero Talabani purchased lands on the other side of the mountain knowing that its asset value would increase once the local government approved the construction of a tunnel linking the area to Sulaimaniyah. (Note: the trip over the mountain is 15 kilometers but through the tunnel it is about two kilometers. End note.) -------------- COMMENT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES -------------- ¶11. (C) Farhad Sangawi,s move to form a political party is indicative of popular dissatisfaction with the lack of openness in the political status quo. Nevertheless, Sangawi does not constitute at this stage a threat to the dominance of the PUK in Sulaimaniyah Province. If he were to demonstrate such a threat, the PUK most likely would use its considerable resources to prevent the development of the party. Sangawi,s popularity will likely prevent his arrest or an overt act of violence against him by the PUK. ¶12. (C) Farhad Sangawi describes himself as writer, poet, newscaster and middle-class intellectual. He speaks Persian, Danish, Arabic, Kurdish and some English. Sangawi was born January 7, 1962 in Kirkuk, although some identification documents read 1965. He joined the PUK in 1978 and in 1980 served six months in the Peshmerga (Kurdish armed force). Throughout the 1980s he was a well-known newscaster for the first PUK radio station (dengi geli Kurdistan) where he presented Peshmerga activities until 1990. ¶13. (C) Farhad Sangawi is known for his charisma and ability to stir nationalist sentiment among a broad spectrum of the population. He was particularly inspiring to the Peshmerga who considered him their voice during the fight against the army of Saddam Hussein. Sangawi told RRT Off that family members of Peshmerga were loyal to his programs and filled with pride and honor when he made the eulogy of their deceased Peshmerga relatives. ¶14. (C) From 1990-2003, Farhad Sangawi was in Denmark where he became a political refugee and worked in a small restaurant. He noted the Baath Party designated him a criminal. In 2003, the PUK asked him to return to Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Since 2003, Sangawi has lived mostly in Sulaimaniyah Province though his family remains in Denmark. In 2005, He embarked on a highly successful get out the vote campaign for elections of the Transitional National Assembly of Iraq, the Iraqi Kurdistan National Assembly and the Sulaimaniyah provincial council. KHALILZAD