KARBALA: LOCAL UNEASE AT IRANIAN ACTIVITIES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003033

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR IR IZ
SUBJECT: KARBALA: LOCAL UNEASE AT IRANIAN ACTIVITIES

REF: A) BAGHDAD 2967 B) BAGHDAD 2316 C) BAGHDAD 2812

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Don Cooke for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

This is a PRT Karbala Reporting Cable.


1. (S) Summary: Many tribesmen and others in Karbala are
mistrustful of Iranian activities here, and Iran's Consul
in particular is held in low regard. Some would like to
express publicly their displeasure with Tehran's
machinations, but refrain from doing so out of fear of
retribution. Although a newfound sense of Iraqi Arabism
is prompting Karbalans to keep the Iranians at arms' length,
Tehran exercises influence through both ISCI and Da'wa. The
latter's deepening ties to the tribes are prompting the
Iranians to undertake a diplomatic charm
offensive aimed at demonstrating the Islamic Republic's
friendship. End Summary.

Quiet Displeasure
--------------


2. (S) Media reports in Iraq and abroad (including in Saudi
Arabia's "Al-Watan" newspaper on September 5) have reported
that Karbala's tribal association demanded the expulsion of
Iranian Consul Ridha Khoda Wardiyan and the closure of the
Iranian Consulate and associated cultural/charitable
enterprises for undertaking intelligence activities.
Officials here, including Governor Aqeel Mahmoud Al-Khazali
(Da'wa) and Provincial Council (PC) Acting Chairman Abd al-Al
al-Yasiri (independent),were quick to deny that any such
gathering took place. PRT contacts in the PC confirm the
tribes did not meet, but add that the story reflects genuine
displeasure with Iranian attempts to manipulate provincial
politics and commerce.


3. (S) In a September 10 discussion with the PRT, independent
PC member Hamid al-Hilali explained tribesmen
and others in Karbala are angry enough about Iranian
machinations to express their fury publicly, but refrain
out of fear of Iranian retribution. According to al-Hilali,
Karbalans also do not wish to provoke the
provincial security apparatus directed by MG Ra'ad Shaker
Jawdat al-Hasnawi and MAJ Ali Hamid Hashim. Ra'ad and
Ali are no fans of Iran, but people fear that any
demonstration would be dealt with firmly by the local
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). Many here have family members
who--fearing their views might put them
crosswise with the ISF--have fled to Iran. When relatives
visit these expatriates (the bulk of whom
reside in the Mashhad area) they reportedly are shocked to
discover Iraqi criminals and terrorists, including Jaysh
al-Mahdi (JAM) members, also have found safe haven in the
Islamic Republic. Al-Hilali claimed persons returning
from trips to Iran report that, in exchange for its
hospitality and--in JAM's case--training, Tehran and its
local consulate are able to direct the assassination in Iraq
of persons they regard as enemies.

Iranians Unpopular...
--------------


4. (S) Both al-Hilali and PC member Mohsen al-Kenani, who
spoke to the PRT on September 9, said that most Karbalans
recognize Iran is not a friend. A newfound sense of Iraqi
Arabism is giving rise to resentment of "Persian" high-
handedness here, Shi'a brotherhood notwithstanding. Iran is
seen as giving Iraq nothing but trouble. Consul
Wardiyan in particular is reviled, according to al-Hilali.
He noted that the Iranian is unable to get out much because
many politicians here refuse to be seen associating with him.
To illustrate Wardiyan's isolation, he noted that when the
Iranian Consul invited the entire PC to an iftar at the
Consulate earlier this month, only three of the 36 members
attended.


5. (S) Comment: Karbalans' desire to keep the Iranians at
arms' length stands in vivid contrast to their acceptance
of the PRT. Political leaders have concluded that the PRT is
a positive force in the province, and senior figures are
not shy about being seen in public with team members.
Provincial officials routinely invite the PRT to local
functions attended by the media and do not hesitate to visit
FOB Husayniyah for events they know will be covered
by the press. End Comment.

...But Still Influential...
--------------


6. (S) Wardiyan is not without influence, however. According
to al-Hilali, he channels funds from Tehran to
both Da'wa and ISCI, with the former being better at cloaking
the source of its money. ISCI's four top leaders

BAGHDAD 00003033 002 OF 002


in Karbala--Shaykh Abd al-Hasan Katheer (Al-Hakim
Organization),Shaykh Moueen al-Musawi (Badr),Hamid Sahib
Mortada (PC Member, Badr),and Husayn al-Shammari (PC member,
Badr)--are indiscreet spendthrifts notorious for
sponsoring soccer matches by giving clubs 5 million Iraqi
dinars ($4250) to play against one another. Locals like
the entertainment, said al-Hilali, but they are under no
illusions concerning the beneficence of the Iranian regime
and its bagmen here. (Note: Ref C details how Tehran exerts
a heavy influence through Karbala's tourism sector.
End Note.)

...And Following Da'wa's Lead
--------------


7. (S) In a conversation with the PRT on September 14, former
governor Ali Kamonah, who now heads the UNAMI Government
Liaison Office in Karbala, said that Da'wa's ties to the
tribes are increasing. Governor Aqeel announced on September
14 that he will establish 14 tribal "Support Councils" in the
province, one in every district and sub-district as well as
in the city center. Each will have up to 25 members, with
the leaders chosen by Aqeel and, possibly, confirmed by the
PC. Presented as a mechanism for hearing from the people,
the Councils in fact will be used by the Governor to
strengthen Da'wa's grip on political power here, Kamonah
said. He added that the visit to Karbala by Prime Minister
Maliki during September 12-13 in part was intended to
demonstrate high-level backing for Aqeel's initiative.
Naturally, observed Kamonah, some members of the PC take a
dim view of the Councils, regarding their establishment as a
bald attempt to usurp the PC's authority.


8. (S) Iranian officials, Kamonah continued, wish to remain
on good terms with Da'wa and so have launched their own
charm offensive aimed at winning over the tribes. He said
that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (whom Kamonah knows
personally) gave Aqeel's initiative his blessing and that
Tehran has invited some tribal leaders to Iran in order to
demonstrate the Islamic Republic's friendship. Owing to
Consul Wardiyan's notoriety, the task of wooing the tribes
has fallen to two members of his staff, Nada Ali (phone
number 964-790-194-5100)and Sayid Muqaddam. Kamonah
described both men as "very active" in Karbala's religious
and social circles, noting that Muqaddam is particularly
effective because he speaks Arabic fluently.

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


9. (S) Comment: Although both ISCI and Da'wa accept Iranian
money in Karbala, this does not necessarily render them
beholden to the Islamic Republic's wishes. Of the two, Da'wa
appears less likely to be susceptible to Iranian
blandishments, despite Tehran's apparent intent to make nice
with the tribes. MG Ra'ad and Governor Aqeel (who blames an
early 2008 assassination attempt against him on Iran) have
made it clear to us that their mistrust of the "Persians"--
like that of many tribesmen and other Karbalans--runs deep.
End Comment.
CROCKER