Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08BAGHDAD1466 | 2008-05-11 12:56:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Baghdad |
1. (U) This is a Baghdad PRT reporting cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: The "Baghdad League," a nascent organization dedicated to supporting social, cultural and educational activities in Baghdad, met Sunday May 3 to review the organization's bylaws and plan the group's activities for the coming months. The Baghdad League was founded by Ali Fadel al-Misir, former Baghdad Provincial Council Chairman and Governor of Baghdad, and the group's membership includes many prominent moderate political, business and activist leaders from Baghdad. Baghdad PRT will support the Baghdad League with a Quick Reaction Fund (QRF) grant and technical assistance. End Summary. -------------------------- WHAT IS A BAGHDAD 'MODERATE'? -------------------------- 3. (SBU) Baghdad is home to a "silent majority" of people who reject violence as a means to achieve political ends, respect the rule of law, believe in human rights for all regardless of sect, ethnicity or creed, and want to see a Baghdad that is again respected for its history, culture, prosperity, and progressive spirit. Many leaders representing this population risk their lives daily to participate in local government, academia, business, and civil society organizations. Baghdad PRT has regular interaction with these 8moderate" figures and seeks ways to assist them in their efforts to build forums for political cooperation and social interaction, preserve the cultural heritage of their communities, and be a part of creating a unified democratic federal Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself and sustain itself (REF A). -------------------------- -------------------------- BAGHDAD LEAGUE FORMED BY FORMER GOVERNOR OF BAGHDAD -------------------------- -------------------------- 4. (SBU) The Baghdad League is the brain-child of prominent Baghdad leader, Ali Fadel al-Misir. Al-Misir was selected to represent his local neighborhood on the Baghdad Provincial Council in 2003, and served several terms as Chairman of that body. In December 2004, Baghdad's Governor al-Haidery was assassinated and the PC chose al-Misir to be his successor. 5. (SBU) Prior to the elections of January 2005, members of the Baghdad Provincial Council were local leaders selected to represent their neighborhoods; most were politically independent. The January 2005 elections were run as a single-district, party-list vote. Members of the currently sitting Provincial Council represent the interests of the major political parties in Baghdad, not its geographic districts. Upon taking office in March 2005, that body selected Hussein al-Tahan, a former Badr Corps commander, to replace al-Misir as Governor of Baghdad. -------------------------- -------------------------- BAGHDAD MODERATES FEEL SHUT-OUT BY SECTARIAN POLITICS -------------------------- -------------------------- 6. (SBU) Al-Misir retreated from active politics in 2005, dismayed, like many local leaders, about the overnight takeover of Baghdad's government by Shia religious political parties. The ISCI/Badr party now controls 28 out of 51 seats on the Baghdad PC; along with Da'wa and Fadhila, Shia parties control 45 out of 51 seats. 7. (SBU) Al-Misir contemplated returning to politics throughout 2006 and 2007, but claimed that there were few opportunities for secular moderates like himself. Al-Misir is Shia, but feels no strong loyalty to the Shia political parties, like ISCI and Da'wa, who often look to the Shia religious establishment for their governing principles, he said. 8. (SBU) He launched the Baghdad League to bring together other like-minded local leaders and activists to engage in a forum where they can interact, develop a social support network, and coordinate efforts to launch cultural and educational initiatives celebrating Baghdad's heritage. -------------------------- LEAGUE EXPANDS EFFORTS WITH PRT HELP -------------------------- 9. (SBU) During an afternoon session on May 3, hosted by Baghdad PRT in our International Zone facilities, al-Misir led a planning session with members of the Baghdad League; current membership includes 25 prominent Baghdad citizens BAGHDAD 00001466 002 OF 002 including district council members, business leaders, civil servants, community activists and the current GOI Minister of Human Rights, Wijdan Mikha'el. 10. (SBU) Baghdad PRT plans to support the Baghdad League as it expands its membership and scope of activities. A Quick Reaction Funds (QRF) grant is in the works for the League, and will provide funding to the organization over the next few months to sponsor educational and cultural events in Baghdad. -------------------------- CHANGING POLITICS IN BAGHDAD -------------------------- 11. (SBU) Comment: The Baghdad PRT is uniquely positioned to provide support to political moderates, without overtly supporting specifically partisan activity. Support to forums such as the Baghdad League enables a cadre of like-minded, progressive leaders and community activists to network amongst themselves and strategize methods to convert Iraq's current environment of identity politics into one of issues and ideals, the hallmark of a truly advanced democracy. Baghdad moderates admit that this transition will take some time, but they hope to at least make some impact prior to the next round of provincial elections, currently scheduled for October 2008. End Comment. CROCKER |