PARLIAMENT YANKS IMMUNITY AFTER DEPUTY VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002975 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT YANKS IMMUNITY AFTER DEPUTY VISIT TO ISRAEL Classified By: POLMINCONS Robert S. Ford, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Sunni Arab Parliamentarian Mithal Alusi told us September 14 that the Parliament had stripped him of his parliamentarian immunity after a bare knuckle exchange between him and other deputies earlier that day. Alusi said that the fight had started when several deputies accused him of breaking Iraqi law, and even betraying Iraq, by taking another trip to Israel last week. With us, Alusi was unrepentant. He said his visit to Israel was as a private Iraqi citizen and not as a government official. The old Saddam law forbids Iraqi citizens from traveling to Israel, Iran and the United States. Alusi said he would not apologize for visiting Israel and he would continue to ignore this law as long as other deputies continue to visit Iran and the United States. Moreover, Alusi claimed many of the deputies act constantly at Iranian behest, and he was unapologetic by saying that on the Parliament floor. ¶2. (C) Parliament Speaker Mahmmoud Mashadani told us late September 14 that he considered Alusi a friend who comes from a highly respected family. He cautioned, however, that the Alusi trip to Israel and more important his accusations that other parliamentarians work for Iran had inflamed feelings on the floor. Mashadani claimed that Alusi was lucky to have escaped with only the lifting of his parliamentarian immunity instead of being forced to resign. We told Mashadani that parliamentary retaliation against Alusi was regrettable since it appeared to have been aimed at silencing one of the independent (if also provocative) voices in the assembly. We warned that this would hurt the reputation of Iraq's flagship democratic institution. Mashadani belittled the importance of Alusi losing his parliamentary immunity and added it would matter if an Iraqi judge decides to investigate Alusi's trip to Israel. We urged Mashadani to find a way to restore Alusi's immunity quietly. ¶3. (C) Shia-Islamist coalition bloc leader Hummam Hammudi told us September 15 that Alusi trip to Israel was less provocative than his charges that both Sunni Arabs and Shia parliamentarians working on behalf of Iran. Hammudi added that the parliamentary session was being broadcast live on Iraqi television, and thus provoked the deputies to respond angrily to Alusi's accusations. Hammudi thought that if Alusi had reacted more diplomatically when he was criticized about the Israel trip, the criticism would have been short, brief and limited. Hammudi added that Alusi should maintain a low profile for the next few weeks until this incident is forgotten. ¶4. (C) Comment: Alusi told us he already had received several death threats. We asked him if he needed any specific help from us, but he declined our offer. (Note: Alusi has survived several assassination attempts in the past. In early 2005 his two sons and a bodyguard were murdered in one attempt on his life. End Note). Mashadani and Hammudi both stated that Alusi would continue to receive his deputy's salary and attend sessions as before. As for Alusi, he promised that he would maintain his regular schedule including visits to Baghdad neighborhoods which he believes will gain him public support. End Comment. CROCKER