FORMER PM AYAD ALLAWI EYEING VP ADIL ABDUL MAHDI'S

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001365 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IR IZ SUBJECT: FORMER PM AYAD ALLAWI EYEING VP ADIL ABDUL MAHDI'S JOB Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (S/NF) Adnan Pachachi, Ayad Allawi's Iraqiyya Bloc Leader in the Council of Representatives (CoR),told the Ambassador on April 29 Allawi has two challenges in re-engaging fully in the GOI. First, he must resolve the Ministry of the Interior's (MoI) unsubstantiated accusations that Allawi has ties to a terrorist group, Jund al-Samma (Soldiers of Heaven). The second challenge, he said, is finding a position for Allawi to effectively participate in the GOI. As Allawi's representative, Pachachi divulged to the Ambassador that Allawi would like another Vice Presidential slot to be added to the GOI structure, but acknowledged this may not be practical given that a constitutional amendment would be required. The second option, he offered, is "persuading" VP Abdul Mahdi to resign from his position to either become Secretary General of the Political Council for National Security (PCNS) or take a ministerial position. VP Abdul Mahdi is a good friend of Ayad's, Pachachi said. He added Iraqiyya's strengthened representation in the Executive Council will make it more balanced. In response, the Ambassador said he thought Ayad Allawi was interested in taking the Secretary Generalship of the PCNS. He also added the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA),Supreme Council/ISCI, and VP Abdul Mahdi would likely object to this proposal. Pachachi then shared with the Ambassador concerns regarding Iran's influence and said that Allawi will be more active than VP Abdul Mahdi in pushing back against this interference. "The way Iran is conducting itself, is causing a backlash," emphasized Pachachi. Pachachi said former PM Allawi has not shared his "idea" with VP Abdul Mahdi yet. The Ambassador made clear that the U.S. would not be involving itself in this issue. CROCKER