Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD2204
2008-07-14 15:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

PRT SALAH AD DIN: GEO REPORTS VOTER REGISTRATION

Tags:  PGOV PREL PTER PINS KDEM KCRS SOCI IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6536
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2204 1961531
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 141531Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8323
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002204 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINS KDEM KCRS SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: PRT SALAH AD DIN: GEO REPORTS VOTER REGISTRATION
ON TRACK

REF: BAGHDAD 1684

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Richard Bell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002204

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINS KDEM KCRS SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: PRT SALAH AD DIN: GEO REPORTS VOTER REGISTRATION
ON TRACK

REF: BAGHDAD 1684

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Richard Bell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.


1. (U) This is a PRT Salah ad Din reporting cable.

Summary
--------------


2. (C) During a July 14 meeting, Salah ad Din (SaD)
Governorate Election Officer (GEO) Hatim Abdulhamid provided
PRT/CF officials with an upbeat assessment of the state of
voter registration readiness in the province. He also noted
that he no longer felt threatened by provincial officials
(reftel). End Summary.


3. (C) During a July 14 meeting with PRT/CF representatives,
SaD GEO Hatam Abdulhamid painted an optimistic picture of the
state of preparations for the opening of the voter
registration period. Abdulhamid highlighted the excellent
support he has received from the Iraqi Police (IP) and from
the IHEC in Baghdad. He said that the voter registration
lists had arrived at the voter registration centers (VRCs),
and that he had all of the supplies he needed. Additionally,
we have observed the various IHEC banners in downtown Tikrit,
which Abdulhamid told us were posted throughout the province.


4. (C) Abdulhamid was confident that people would be able to
report to their assigned VRC, which corresponds with the
Public Distribution System. He told us that he had requested
that the IHEC add another VCR in southern Samarra - he
explained that those residents would need to cross the Tigris
River to access their VRC - but that the IHEC had denied the
request. However, General Rasheed, Commander of Iraqi
Security Forces in Samarra, has assured Abdulhamid that he
would facilitate movement of those wishing to use the VRC
across the Samarra bridge.

Operating Without Provincial Interference
--------------


5. (C) Reftel reported that Abdulhamid had received threats
from Salah ad Din Governor Hamad Shakti al-Qaisi and other
provincial officials. Abdulhamid told us that this was no
longer an issue. He stated that provincial officials'
attempts to pressure him to resign have subsided now that the
Governor knows there is nothing he can do to have Abdulhamid
fired from his position. Abdulhamid says that he operates
throughout the province without fear. Note: Abdulhamid
arrived at the meeting at COB Speicher escorted by an IP
truck and several IP-provided bodyguards. End Note.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) Abdulhamid seemed relaxed and confident during our
discussion leaving us very little reason to doubt his
positive assessment of the current state of elections
preparation in Salah ad Din. In the past, he has not
hesitated to complain to us about problems he has
encountered. Especially encouraging were his positive
comments on the performance of the Iraqi Police. End Comment.
CROCKER