CENSURED PC MEMBER LEADS ANTI-CORRUPTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002764 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018 TAGS: PGOV IZ EFIN SUBJECT: CENSURED PC MEMBER LEADS ANTI-CORRUPTION DEMONSTRATION IN MUTHANNA REF: BAGHDAD 2447 Classified By: PRT Muthanna Team Leader Brad Lynch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (U) This is a PRT Muthanna reporting cable. ¶1. (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Hakim Khazal Khashan, the recently censured Provincial Council (PC) Integrity Chairman, led a peaceful demonstration in Samawah on Aug 24 protesting government corruption. Violence was anticipated, but did not materialize. Chief among the group's demands were an independent corruption investigation from Baghdad and the removal of six key PC members, including the chairman. The message is beginning to resonate with Muthanna residents, and Hakim has promised to continue his crusade until corruption ceases. End Summary Protesters' Message -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Shouting through a bullhorn from the back of a pickup truck, Hakim Khazal Khashan spread his anti-corruption message to the people of Muthanna on August 24 (Note: Hakim is a tribal sheikh, PC member, and chair of the PC's Integrity Committee. End Note.) PRT locally engaged staff who witnessed the event report that Hakim and about 150 followers moved from their riverside rallying point, through Samawah's markets, and on to the Governor's office in a pre-arranged, peaceful demonstration against what he claims to be widespread corruption within the Provincial Council. The protesters made the following demands: An independent corruption investigation from Baghdad; The PC Chairman, Abdul Hussein Dhalimi, and five other PC members must be removed from the council because they lack the required education level and used forged diplomas to secure their positions; Project funds from donor countries that are lining the pockets of corrupt PC members should be frozen. Hakim's Account -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Hakim shared his version of the events at a meeting with PRT leaders two days after the protest. His account closely mirrors that of our eyewitness. He also discussed his recent clash with the PC. Hakim, formerly the Provincial Council's Integrity Committee Chairman, was censured by the PC in June after he accused other council members of illegally profiting from government funded projects. This action prevents him from voting or attending PC meetings. Hakim claims that the censure was initiated by his chief political rival, Mohammad Radhi Sultan al-Zayadi, and supported by 20 other members of the 41 member PC, each of whom has benefited financially from government projects. PC Chair and Gov Respond -------------- ¶4. (SBU) "We encourage peaceful demonstrations, and we need to hear what the people's concerns are" was PC Chairman Dhalimi's response during a meeting with the PRT leader one day after the protest. When asked what the primary complaints were, Dhalimi said "The lack of services, particularly electricity, and donor nation projects that are not completed on time. Neither of these is under our control." (Note: These issues do concern the people of Muthanna; however, they were not the subject of Sunday's demonstration. End Note.) Governor Marzook, in a media interview, acknowledged that corruption exists but said that they are dealing with it through the courts. He also added, "We have fired many people in the past including the Director General (DG) of Roads and Bridges and the DG of Water." (Note: The DGs do not report to provincial authorities. End Note.) Comment: A popular message -------------- ¶5. (C/REL MCFI) We believe Hakim Khazal to be an uncorrupted politician and a fiercely independent nationalist voice in southern Iraq. He is also the founder of the tribal-based Mid-Euphrates Assembly (reftel). His accusations against PC members such as Dhalimi and Zayadi are probably well founded, and the people here are starting to listen. Hakim promises to continue his crusade until corruption in Muthanna ceases, and there is a real buzz on the street surrounding this issue. The government anticipated violence and stationed hundreds of police officers along the demonstration route, on rooftops, and in the crowd. The rising popularity of this message combined with the fact that there was no violence on Sunday may encourage even more people to participate in future demonstrations. End Comment. BAGHDAD 00002764 002 OF 002 BUTENIS