Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD839
2007-03-09 14:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ANBAR SALVATION COUNCIL FORMS NEW POLITICAL PARTY
how-toVZCZCXRO1167 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0839 0681419 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091419Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0098 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000839
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ANBAR SALVATION COUNCIL FORMS NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Classified By: PRT Leader Jim Soriano for reasons 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000839
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ANBAR SALVATION COUNCIL FORMS NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Classified By: PRT Leader Jim Soriano for reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (U) This is a PRT Anbar cable.
2. SUMMARY. (C) The Anbar Salvation Council, formed to
counter AQI in Ramadi, publicly announced the launching of
its own political party: Iraqi Awakening Movement (IAM).
This party was organized by Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, who
emphasized the IAM will have a widespread base with national
appeal. Sattar and other local sheikhs urged that provincial
elections be held as soon as possible. The announcement
occurred during MNF-W DCG,s introductory office call to
Sattar. Counter-terrorism activities and the possibility of
provincial elections were also discussed. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, the leader of a coalition of
Ramadi-based tribal leaders who are fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq
(AQI) told MNF-West Deputy Commanding General John Allen on
Feb. 26 of his intention to transform his movement into a
political party. Sattar formed the &Anbar Salvation Council
(SAA)8 last September to oppose AQI excesses in Ramadi. To
date some twenty to thirty tribes and clans in the Ramadi
area are considered part of the SAA movement. Sattar was at
his residence near Ramadi to receive BGen Allen during the
latter,s introductory call on him. Surrounded by some 100
Anbari sheikhs and other notables, Sattar announced his
intention to form the &Iraqi Awakening Movement (IAM),8 a
political grouping which, according to Sattar, will seek to
have a national appeal and will eschew any particular
sectarian affiliation. Sattar and the other sheikhs strongly
urged that provincial elections be held as soon as possible.
4. (C) Atmospherics at the meeting were extremely positive.
In a follow-on small-group meeting, Sattar discussed
counter-terrorism activities with BGen Allen. Sattar
re-affirmed his friendship to the Coalition and his
commitment to work with the Coalition to defeat them.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Since the emergence of the SAA on the Anbari scene
last September, Sattar has been a political force in Anbar.
Although his Ramadi-focused anti-AQI tribal movement is still
a localized phenomenon, sheikhs in other parts of Anbar are
seeking to imitate his success. Sattar,s bid to form a
political party obviously demonstrates that he has an eye on
playing a major role in the post-war environment. Although
he talked about the need to avoid sectarian divisions in his
nascent political party, it is likely that he envisions the
new grouping as a vehicle for airing Sunni grievances and
realizing Sunni political aspirations.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ANBAR SALVATION COUNCIL FORMS NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Classified By: PRT Leader Jim Soriano for reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (U) This is a PRT Anbar cable.
2. SUMMARY. (C) The Anbar Salvation Council, formed to
counter AQI in Ramadi, publicly announced the launching of
its own political party: Iraqi Awakening Movement (IAM).
This party was organized by Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, who
emphasized the IAM will have a widespread base with national
appeal. Sattar and other local sheikhs urged that provincial
elections be held as soon as possible. The announcement
occurred during MNF-W DCG,s introductory office call to
Sattar. Counter-terrorism activities and the possibility of
provincial elections were also discussed. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha, the leader of a coalition of
Ramadi-based tribal leaders who are fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq
(AQI) told MNF-West Deputy Commanding General John Allen on
Feb. 26 of his intention to transform his movement into a
political party. Sattar formed the &Anbar Salvation Council
(SAA)8 last September to oppose AQI excesses in Ramadi. To
date some twenty to thirty tribes and clans in the Ramadi
area are considered part of the SAA movement. Sattar was at
his residence near Ramadi to receive BGen Allen during the
latter,s introductory call on him. Surrounded by some 100
Anbari sheikhs and other notables, Sattar announced his
intention to form the &Iraqi Awakening Movement (IAM),8 a
political grouping which, according to Sattar, will seek to
have a national appeal and will eschew any particular
sectarian affiliation. Sattar and the other sheikhs strongly
urged that provincial elections be held as soon as possible.
4. (C) Atmospherics at the meeting were extremely positive.
In a follow-on small-group meeting, Sattar discussed
counter-terrorism activities with BGen Allen. Sattar
re-affirmed his friendship to the Coalition and his
commitment to work with the Coalition to defeat them.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Since the emergence of the SAA on the Anbari scene
last September, Sattar has been a political force in Anbar.
Although his Ramadi-focused anti-AQI tribal movement is still
a localized phenomenon, sheikhs in other parts of Anbar are
seeking to imitate his success. Sattar,s bid to form a
political party obviously demonstrates that he has an eye on
playing a major role in the post-war environment. Although
he talked about the need to avoid sectarian divisions in his
nascent political party, it is likely that he envisions the
new grouping as a vehicle for airing Sunni grievances and
realizing Sunni political aspirations.
KHALILZAD