MAYSAN FADILAH HEAD: WE'RE 100 PERCENT IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002796

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2018
TAGS: PGOV IR IZ
SUBJECT: MAYSAN FADILAH HEAD: WE'RE 100 PERCENT IRAQI

REF: BAGHDAD 2473

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Dan Foote for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

(U) This is a PRT Maysan reporting cable.


1. (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Ali Kadhem Khalaf, the leader of
Fadilah in Maysan and a deputy Provincial Council (PC)
chairman, presented his party as nationalistic,
anti-extremist, anti-militia, and free of foreign influence
in an August 30 meeting with PRT leader. He provided
additional color on the makeup of the PC, echoed consistent
calls for more USG-funded projects in the province, and asked
for increased coordination with the provincial government and
Directors General (DGs) on any future assistance. End
Summary.

100 percent nationalist
--------------


2. (C/REL MCFI) Ali Khadem described Fadilah in Maysan as a
group of highly educated individuals who understand the
province and are committed to its development within a
strong, federal Iraq. Portraying his party as a leader in
working to marginalize religious fundamentalists and
extremists, he repeatedly stated that Fadilah is "100
percent" Iraqi-directed and funded, claiming there is no
foreign influence or agenda. He emphasized that "weapons
belong only in the hands of the government," adding that the
party does not support militias in any way. He described
Fadilah's involvement in The Powers of July 22 Bloc (reftel)
as a means to support Kirkuk's independence from Kurdish
control and part of a broader effort to foster freedom from
non-nationalist forces and marginalize extremists across the
country.

Overview of PC
--------------


3. (C/REL MCFI) Ali Kadhem introduced himself as one of two
PC deputies and the deputy chairman for Technical Affairs
(which oversees subcommittees on reconstruction and energy,
among others). According to Ali, the other PC deputy is also
the chairman for Management Affairs, Abdul Hasan Dagar, a
former Da'wa member who recently shifted to the National
Reform Trend led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari. In an aside, he
related that two Da'wa factions exist within Maysan; one run
by Iraqis with national interests at heart, and one
controlled by the "outside" (implying Iran). Ali explained
that, in addition to the Sadrists, ISCI/Badr, Da'wa, and
Fadilah, the other entity holding multiple PC seats (3) was
the "NGO-affiliated" al-Ridha Center, a "non-political"
organization associated with Ayatollah al-Sistani. He
skirted the question of whether PC Chairman and avowed
Sadrist Abdul Jabar Wahid was likely to agree to meet with
the PRT, responding half-heartedly that he would try to
arrange a meeting. When asked if the PC might consider
meeting with the PRT as a group, he replied, "Not now, but
perhaps in the future."

Need for infrastructure projects
--------------


4. (C/REL MCFI) Repeating a recurring theme from previous
engagements with PC members, Ali Kadhem relayed institutional
frustration at the slow implementation of large, long-awaited
USG PRDC-approved projects. As provincial priorities, he
cited the completion of sewage projects, fixing Amarah's main
thoroughfares before winter, and rural development focused on
water, electricity, and roads. Comparing Maysan's level of
development with other provinces, he said, "Other provinces
started reconstruction from 20 percent; we are starting from
below zero." While praising the USG-funded
electrical-generating station, new highway, and surgical
hospital, he appealed to the PRT to carefully coordinate
prospective new projects closely with the provincial
government and respective DGS, cautioning that otherwise,
"the projects won't properly serve their purpose or be
correctly maintained."

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


5. (C/REL MCFI) Despite Ali Kadhem's positive portrayal,
Fadilah is the least popular of the major Shi'a parties and
unlikely to perform well in provincial elections. His view
that the U.S. should continue to fund large infrastructure
projects is widely shared by other PC members. The PC's
reluctance to meet as a group with the PRT reflects the
continuing challenge facing the PRT's engagement efforts.
End comment.
BUTENIS