Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD2191
2008-07-14 05:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MUTHANNA: PC CLASH SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR ELECTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO5966 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2191 1960505 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 140505Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8307 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002191
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA: PC CLASH SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR ELECTIONS
STRIFE
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Paul O'Friel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002191
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA: PC CLASH SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR ELECTIONS
STRIFE
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Paul O'Friel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (U) This is a PRT Muthanna reporting cable.
2. (C) Summary: A recent clash between rival tribal members
on the Muthanna Provincial Council (PC) nearly degenerated
into inter-communal violence in late June. Although the
standoff was eventually resolved peacefully, the incident
underscores the potential for tribal tensions to provoke
election-related violence, even in a "quiet" province like
Muthanna. End Summary.
3. (C) A quarrel between Provincial Council members Hakim
Khazal Khasan of the Burkat tribe and Mohamed Radhi Sultan
al-Zayadi of the rival Zayadi tribe was sparked by the
resignation of one of the three members of the Council's
Integrity Committee, which Hakim chairs. Hakim rejected a
move by a Mohamed Zayadi, a clever politician with a
reputation for corruption, to nominate himself or a fellow
Zayadi tribal member to fill the vacancy. The confrontation
between Hakim and Mohamed quickly escalated from a heated
exchange of words to a shoving match between the two men's
respective bodyguards. The police helplessly stood by as the
Council building was rapidly surrounded by armed members of
the Burkat and Zayadi tribes. Only the swift intervention of
other tribal mediators prevented the tense stand-off from
deteriorating into outright violence. Mohamed Zayadi
subsequently maneuvered a resolution through the Council
suspending Hakim's membership. Hakim is now preparing to
take his case to the national level. He has mustered 15,000
signatures on petition for reinstatement that he plans to
present to Prime Minister Maliki and the Council of
Representatives.
4. (C) COMMENT: Hakim and Mohamed Zayadi lead two of the
major opposing independent political blocs competing for
power in the upcoming provincial elections (Hakim leads the
Mid-Euphrates Assembly; Zayedi the Assembly for Muthanna).
Their quarrel on the Council and efforts to discredit each
other are symptomatic of the underlining tribal tensions that
will only increase as the elections approach. Even in a
"quiet" province like Muthanna, the potential for
election-related violence and unrest is extremely high. End
Comment.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA: PC CLASH SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR ELECTIONS
STRIFE
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Paul O'Friel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (U) This is a PRT Muthanna reporting cable.
2. (C) Summary: A recent clash between rival tribal members
on the Muthanna Provincial Council (PC) nearly degenerated
into inter-communal violence in late June. Although the
standoff was eventually resolved peacefully, the incident
underscores the potential for tribal tensions to provoke
election-related violence, even in a "quiet" province like
Muthanna. End Summary.
3. (C) A quarrel between Provincial Council members Hakim
Khazal Khasan of the Burkat tribe and Mohamed Radhi Sultan
al-Zayadi of the rival Zayadi tribe was sparked by the
resignation of one of the three members of the Council's
Integrity Committee, which Hakim chairs. Hakim rejected a
move by a Mohamed Zayadi, a clever politician with a
reputation for corruption, to nominate himself or a fellow
Zayadi tribal member to fill the vacancy. The confrontation
between Hakim and Mohamed quickly escalated from a heated
exchange of words to a shoving match between the two men's
respective bodyguards. The police helplessly stood by as the
Council building was rapidly surrounded by armed members of
the Burkat and Zayadi tribes. Only the swift intervention of
other tribal mediators prevented the tense stand-off from
deteriorating into outright violence. Mohamed Zayadi
subsequently maneuvered a resolution through the Council
suspending Hakim's membership. Hakim is now preparing to
take his case to the national level. He has mustered 15,000
signatures on petition for reinstatement that he plans to
present to Prime Minister Maliki and the Council of
Representatives.
4. (C) COMMENT: Hakim and Mohamed Zayadi lead two of the
major opposing independent political blocs competing for
power in the upcoming provincial elections (Hakim leads the
Mid-Euphrates Assembly; Zayedi the Assembly for Muthanna).
Their quarrel on the Council and efforts to discredit each
other are symptomatic of the underlining tribal tensions that
will only increase as the elections approach. Even in a
"quiet" province like Muthanna, the potential for
election-related violence and unrest is extremely high. End
Comment.
CROCKER