Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HILLAH154
2007-11-13 13:54:00
SECRET
REO Hillah
Cable title:
INFLUENTIAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HUSSEIN ALI AL-SHALAN'S
how-toVZCZCXRO4766 OO RUEHIHL DE RUEHIHL #0154/01 3171354 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O R 131354Z NOV 07 FM REO HILLAH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0985 INFO RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH 1049
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR IZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HUSSEIN ALI AL-SHALAN'S
VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD
CLASSIFIED BY: Angus T. Simmons, PRT Team Leader, REO Al Hillah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR IZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HUSSEIN ALI AL-SHALAN'S
VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD
CLASSIFIED BY: Angus T. Simmons, PRT Team Leader, REO Al Hillah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: Influential sheik and COR member Al-Shalan
sees South Central as crucial to Iraq's future. Security
situation improving. He fears a weakened Sadr militia will
increase influence of Badrists, who "have an agenda beyond
Iraq's borders." He believes that Islamists are incapable of
positive political contribution and that at present tribal roles
are crucial to Iraq's future. End Summary.
2. (C) PRT Diwaniyah Team Leader met November 9 at the REO
with Member of Parliament Hussein Ali al-Shalan, one of Iraq's
most influential tribal sheiks and an independent MP from South
Central Iraq, to discuss his views on the current political
climate and ways forward. As a "partner and friend," al-Shalan
came "to extend [his] hand to ensure success of the Mission in
Iraq." As leader of the al-Shalan tribe, he has the loyalty of
a million Iraqis and relations with all of the tribes.
--------------
South Central's Importance
--------------
3. (C) Al-Shalan believes that the South Central region has
been and continues to be is the heart of Iraq and that modern
Iraq was "born" here. Al-Shalan lamented Diwaniyah's current
security situation and lack of economic and social development,
emphasizing that Diwaniyah has been short changed, despite the
area's historical national contributions.
--------------
Views on Security
--------------
4. (C) Although the area's security situation is not what he
would like, al-Shalan said that there has been recent
improvement in Diwaniyah due to coalition force efforts.
Al-Shalan is concerned that militias dominate local political
parties and that criminal elements are strong in Diwaniyah. At
the same time, al-Shalan believes that USG policy has been too
subservient to the GOI. He worries that when U.S. forces
prepare to take more aggressive action against the militias, the
Maliki government urges restraint for domestic political
reasons.
--------------
Distrusts Badrists
--------------
5. (S) Al-Shalan voiced particular warning about the local
Badr militia. As coalition forces weaken the Sadr militia
(JAM),a strong militia linked with the Badrists, "with an
agenda beyond Iraq's border," will fill the vacuum. As JAM's
strength is weakened in Diwaniyah, al-Shalan believes Badr will
be relatively strengthened, and he believes this is something
that should be prepared for.
6. (C) Although he has a very different political agenda and
despite his concerns with the Badrists, al-Shalan has a good
working relationship with Qadisiyah Governor al-Khudari, a
strong Badrist. Interestingly, despite al-Khudari's highly
contentious relations with the province's Agricultural Union,
which coalition forces strongly support through its distribution
of seed, fertilizer and machinery, al-Shalan reports that
al-Khudari told him three days ago that al-Khudari could work
with the Agricultural Union. Al-Shalan believes, however, that
al-Khudari and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI)/Badr
feel so isolated and under pressure in Diwaniyah that the
Governor is reaching out to al-Shalan out of desperation rather
than conviction. Al-Shalan noted that ISCI leader Abdul Aziz
al-Hakim has visited Diwaniyah four times in recent months and
that everything al-Khudari does in Diwaniyah can be seen through
the narrow prism of the Governor's desire to secure electoral
advantage for ISCI/Badr.
--------------
Islamists Cannot Make a Positive Contribution
--------------
7. (C) Al-Shalan is also pessimistic about Islamist parties
and their ability to become positive contributors to a
pluralistic Iraq. Islamists "are conditioned to receive, not to
give" and will "never be able to share power in Iraq" except
under certain narrow, unfulfillable conditions.
--------------
Tribal Role Crucial to Iraq's Future
--------------
HILLAH 00000154 002 OF 002
8. (C) Al-Shalan urged the USG "to identify real leaders and
real partners to whom we can look for real friendship."
Al-Shalan expressed strong support for a pluralistic, democratic
Iraq under the current constitution. He urged the USG to
capitalize on the ability of the area's tribes to effect
positive change. Al-Shalan noted, however, that, at this time,
one of the two dominant area tribes, the Agra tribe, is less
effective due to splintered leadership.
9. (C) As he looked optimistically to Iraq's future, al-Shalan
said that the tribes, who view themselves as important and
relevant, will search for a place at the political table. One
day, in a fully functioning Iraq, the tribes will operate within
political structures and not tribal affiliations, but that day
has not yet arrived, he believes.
10. (C) Finally, when asked about Eighth Iraq Army Division
Commander General Uthman, al-Shalan spoke highly of him as a
good friend but said that we "must have other sources in
Diwaniyah" because, on tribal matters, Uthman's brother takes
care of tribal business.
--------------
Comments
--------------
11. (C) Al-Shalan obviously has strong views on the country's
future direction. He dismisses the JAM as anything anyone could
work with and has a deep distrust of the ISCI/Badr. In fact, we
believe that al-Shalan is only slightly less concerned with Badr
forces than with the JAM.
12. (S) The al-Shalan family's influence dates back centuries,
in Iraq. Al-Shalan's grandfather was the Speaker of the Majlis
Al A'ayan (House of Notables) in the early part of the last
century. Al-Shalan has a close relationship with the House of
Saud, notwithstanding that al-Shalan is Shi'a. Al-Shalan said
that PM Maliki uses him as a bridge when he wants to reach out
to the tribes. His family has several generations of relations
with the Al-Hakim family, even though their political agendas
differ. As a senior tribal leader, al-Shalan had a naturally
strong relationship with Sheik Abu Resha as well as with his
brother, Sheik Ahmed. Not surprising, he strongly approves of
the work that has brought the Anbar and Karbala sheiks together.
SIMMONS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR IZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HUSSEIN ALI AL-SHALAN'S
VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD
CLASSIFIED BY: Angus T. Simmons, PRT Team Leader, REO Al Hillah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: Influential sheik and COR member Al-Shalan
sees South Central as crucial to Iraq's future. Security
situation improving. He fears a weakened Sadr militia will
increase influence of Badrists, who "have an agenda beyond
Iraq's borders." He believes that Islamists are incapable of
positive political contribution and that at present tribal roles
are crucial to Iraq's future. End Summary.
2. (C) PRT Diwaniyah Team Leader met November 9 at the REO
with Member of Parliament Hussein Ali al-Shalan, one of Iraq's
most influential tribal sheiks and an independent MP from South
Central Iraq, to discuss his views on the current political
climate and ways forward. As a "partner and friend," al-Shalan
came "to extend [his] hand to ensure success of the Mission in
Iraq." As leader of the al-Shalan tribe, he has the loyalty of
a million Iraqis and relations with all of the tribes.
--------------
South Central's Importance
--------------
3. (C) Al-Shalan believes that the South Central region has
been and continues to be is the heart of Iraq and that modern
Iraq was "born" here. Al-Shalan lamented Diwaniyah's current
security situation and lack of economic and social development,
emphasizing that Diwaniyah has been short changed, despite the
area's historical national contributions.
--------------
Views on Security
--------------
4. (C) Although the area's security situation is not what he
would like, al-Shalan said that there has been recent
improvement in Diwaniyah due to coalition force efforts.
Al-Shalan is concerned that militias dominate local political
parties and that criminal elements are strong in Diwaniyah. At
the same time, al-Shalan believes that USG policy has been too
subservient to the GOI. He worries that when U.S. forces
prepare to take more aggressive action against the militias, the
Maliki government urges restraint for domestic political
reasons.
--------------
Distrusts Badrists
--------------
5. (S) Al-Shalan voiced particular warning about the local
Badr militia. As coalition forces weaken the Sadr militia
(JAM),a strong militia linked with the Badrists, "with an
agenda beyond Iraq's border," will fill the vacuum. As JAM's
strength is weakened in Diwaniyah, al-Shalan believes Badr will
be relatively strengthened, and he believes this is something
that should be prepared for.
6. (C) Although he has a very different political agenda and
despite his concerns with the Badrists, al-Shalan has a good
working relationship with Qadisiyah Governor al-Khudari, a
strong Badrist. Interestingly, despite al-Khudari's highly
contentious relations with the province's Agricultural Union,
which coalition forces strongly support through its distribution
of seed, fertilizer and machinery, al-Shalan reports that
al-Khudari told him three days ago that al-Khudari could work
with the Agricultural Union. Al-Shalan believes, however, that
al-Khudari and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI)/Badr
feel so isolated and under pressure in Diwaniyah that the
Governor is reaching out to al-Shalan out of desperation rather
than conviction. Al-Shalan noted that ISCI leader Abdul Aziz
al-Hakim has visited Diwaniyah four times in recent months and
that everything al-Khudari does in Diwaniyah can be seen through
the narrow prism of the Governor's desire to secure electoral
advantage for ISCI/Badr.
--------------
Islamists Cannot Make a Positive Contribution
--------------
7. (C) Al-Shalan is also pessimistic about Islamist parties
and their ability to become positive contributors to a
pluralistic Iraq. Islamists "are conditioned to receive, not to
give" and will "never be able to share power in Iraq" except
under certain narrow, unfulfillable conditions.
--------------
Tribal Role Crucial to Iraq's Future
--------------
HILLAH 00000154 002 OF 002
8. (C) Al-Shalan urged the USG "to identify real leaders and
real partners to whom we can look for real friendship."
Al-Shalan expressed strong support for a pluralistic, democratic
Iraq under the current constitution. He urged the USG to
capitalize on the ability of the area's tribes to effect
positive change. Al-Shalan noted, however, that, at this time,
one of the two dominant area tribes, the Agra tribe, is less
effective due to splintered leadership.
9. (C) As he looked optimistically to Iraq's future, al-Shalan
said that the tribes, who view themselves as important and
relevant, will search for a place at the political table. One
day, in a fully functioning Iraq, the tribes will operate within
political structures and not tribal affiliations, but that day
has not yet arrived, he believes.
10. (C) Finally, when asked about Eighth Iraq Army Division
Commander General Uthman, al-Shalan spoke highly of him as a
good friend but said that we "must have other sources in
Diwaniyah" because, on tribal matters, Uthman's brother takes
care of tribal business.
--------------
Comments
--------------
11. (C) Al-Shalan obviously has strong views on the country's
future direction. He dismisses the JAM as anything anyone could
work with and has a deep distrust of the ISCI/Badr. In fact, we
believe that al-Shalan is only slightly less concerned with Badr
forces than with the JAM.
12. (S) The al-Shalan family's influence dates back centuries,
in Iraq. Al-Shalan's grandfather was the Speaker of the Majlis
Al A'ayan (House of Notables) in the early part of the last
century. Al-Shalan has a close relationship with the House of
Saud, notwithstanding that al-Shalan is Shi'a. Al-Shalan said
that PM Maliki uses him as a bridge when he wants to reach out
to the tribes. His family has several generations of relations
with the Al-Hakim family, even though their political agendas
differ. As a senior tribal leader, al-Shalan had a naturally
strong relationship with Sheik Abu Resha as well as with his
brother, Sheik Ahmed. Not surprising, he strongly approves of
the work that has brought the Anbar and Karbala sheiks together.
SIMMONS