Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3350
2008-10-18 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

MUTHANNA: LEADING SHEIKH OFFERS TO ORGANIZE SHI,A

Tags:  PGOV IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8808
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3350 2921348
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 181348Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0005
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003350 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA: LEADING SHEIKH OFFERS TO ORGANIZE SHI,A
AND SUNNI LEADERS IN FAVOR OF SOFA

REF: BAGHDAD 3192

Classified By: PRT Muthanna Team Leader Brad Lynch for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

This is a PRT Muthanna reporting cable.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003350

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA: LEADING SHEIKH OFFERS TO ORGANIZE SHI,A
AND SUNNI LEADERS IN FAVOR OF SOFA

REF: BAGHDAD 3192

Classified By: PRT Muthanna Team Leader Brad Lynch for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

This is a PRT Muthanna reporting cable.


1. (C) On October 11 Muthanna-based Sheikh Abu Chefat
reaffirmed his desire to see the SOFA approved by the Iraqi
government and offered to mobilize his tribal colleagues to
build support for the agreement. Chefat,s discussion with
PRT leader took place in the context of follow-up to a
September meeting in Baghdad with Senior Advisor Gordon Gray,
to which Chefat had led a delegation of seven Muthanna
sheikhs (reftel).


2. (C) Chefat reiterated his support for the SOFA, suggesting
a new strategy for approaching the central government.
Chefat believes that the GOI covets tribal support and could
easily be influenced by a broad-based lobbying effort by
tribal leaders in favor of the agreement. It is noteworthy
that he claims to be able to unite tribal leaders and
educators from Shi,a and Sunni regions in a coordinated
lobby effort. The geographical regions that he mentioned
include: Dhi Qar, Maysan, Diwaniyah, Muthanna, Najaf,
Karbala, Diyala, Anbar, and the Sunni sector of south Baghdad.


3. (C) Comment: Sheikh Chefat,s SOFA support is genuine and
typical of the nationalist movement we see among Muthanna,s
tribal leadership. It is far from clear that Chefat could
deliver on promises of a cross-sectarian tribal coalition in
favor of the SOFA, given his difficulties in organizing
sheikhs along similar lines for purposes of the provincial
elections. He has organized multiple tribal gatherings in
the past year, including sheikhs from several of the
aforementioned provinces, which indicates that he at least
has the contact base to make a strong attempt. End comment.
CROCKER