Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD1083
2008-04-08 07:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT
how-toVZCZCXRO5879 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1083 0990755 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 080755Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6731 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL IZ
SUBJECT: AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT
THE WAR DRUMS
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL IZ
SUBJECT: AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT
THE WAR DRUMS
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) A sampling of several Sadrist-affiliated mosque
sermons in the greater Baghdad area from last Friday, April
4, reveals that despite Muqtada as-Sadr's recent cease-fire
declaration, tensions between the Sadrists and the GOI and CF
continue to run high. Criticism of the GOI and its perceived
inefficacy was a common theme at nearly every Sadrist mosque
sampled, with many claiming that the government is
deliberately denying people in Sadrist-controlled areas
essential services. Claiming that they are under siege from
the ISF and CF, a handful of imams questioned whether the
Sadrists were being collectively punished. The continued
detention of JAM members and Sadrists was also a volatile
issue, with several imams threatening severe retaliation
against the ISF and CF if they continue detaining Sadrists
and fail to release those already in custody. Most imams had
harsh words for the PM, calling his selection a mistake while
hinting that he was nothing more than a puppet of the CF.
Nearly every Sadrist-affiliated mosque sampled urged their
congregations to participate in the demonstrations scheduled
for April 9, 2008 against the "occupation."
2. (C) Comment: After several weeks of mixed messages from
Baghdad's Sadrist mosques following the renewal of the
original cease-fire and Muqtada al-Sadr's subsequent decision
to enter into a period of "corporeal separation" from the
movement, there once again appears to be a unity of message.
End Comment.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL IZ
SUBJECT: AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT
THE WAR DRUMS
Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) A sampling of several Sadrist-affiliated mosque
sermons in the greater Baghdad area from last Friday, April
4, reveals that despite Muqtada as-Sadr's recent cease-fire
declaration, tensions between the Sadrists and the GOI and CF
continue to run high. Criticism of the GOI and its perceived
inefficacy was a common theme at nearly every Sadrist mosque
sampled, with many claiming that the government is
deliberately denying people in Sadrist-controlled areas
essential services. Claiming that they are under siege from
the ISF and CF, a handful of imams questioned whether the
Sadrists were being collectively punished. The continued
detention of JAM members and Sadrists was also a volatile
issue, with several imams threatening severe retaliation
against the ISF and CF if they continue detaining Sadrists
and fail to release those already in custody. Most imams had
harsh words for the PM, calling his selection a mistake while
hinting that he was nothing more than a puppet of the CF.
Nearly every Sadrist-affiliated mosque sampled urged their
congregations to participate in the demonstrations scheduled
for April 9, 2008 against the "occupation."
2. (C) Comment: After several weeks of mixed messages from
Baghdad's Sadrist mosques following the renewal of the
original cease-fire and Muqtada al-Sadr's subsequent decision
to enter into a period of "corporeal separation" from the
movement, there once again appears to be a unity of message.
End Comment.
BUTENIS