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

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OPENING REMARKS OF CAUTION
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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.

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THE NEW OPPOSITION
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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.

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A LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY
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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


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PUK RESISTANCE AND INTERFERENCE
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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.)

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COMMENT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
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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