WASIT: OMS/SADRIST REPRESENTATIVE SEEKS OUT U.S.

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003413 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ SUBJECT: WASIT: OMS/SADRIST REPRESENTATIVE SEEKS OUT U.S. MILITARY HEALTH CARE REF: BAGHDAD 3144 Classified By: PRT Team Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable. ¶1. (S / / REL TO USA, ACGU) Summary: On October 23, Sadrist Trend Provincial Council (PC) member Ahmed Hassan E,barah, who recently delivered to the PRT Moqtada al-Sadr,s statement renouncing violence, contacted the PRT and requested an appointment at the U.S. Military medical clinic at FOB Delta. E'barah was seen that day by a U.S. military doctor, from the 41st Fires Brigade, who gave him a thorough examination for suspected kidney stones, and impressed E,barah with his bedside manner. End summary. Sadrist Likes U.S. Military Health Care -------------- ¶2. (S / / REL TO USA, ACGU) Ahmed E,barah is PRT Wasit,s primary contact with the Sadr Trend. He delivered the recent Sadr statement renouncing violence and announcing the formation of the new al-Mumahidoon program for Sadr,s followers (reftel). E,barah unexpectedly requested to be seen by a U.S. Military doctor for treatment of kidney stones at the end of the PRT,s last meeting with him. On October 22, E,barah was seen by a U.S. Army doctor at the 41st Fires Brigade clinic on FOB Delta. The doctor, a U.S. Army officer, immediately connected with E,barah when it was discovered that both had formerly been boxers. The examination revealed that E,barah has suffered from suspected kidney stones for over two years. E,barah, obviously pleased with his care, complimented the doctor on his bedside manner and explained that the doctor spoke to him as an equal whereas Iraqi doctors always were very formal and usually spoke down to their patients. E,barah Revealed -------------- ¶3. (S/ / REL TO USA, ACGU) E,barah, a senior member in the provincial Sadrist hierachy who maintains regular contact with the Office of the Martyr Sadr (OMS) in Najaf, revealed several things about himself during the examination and in a short meeting with the PRT following his medical visit. Presently employed as a high school economics teacher in al-Kut, E,barah, who turned 38 this year, was educated in Baghdad, graduating with a degree in History in 1992. He also disclosed that he will be a candidate for reelection to the Provincial Council and indicated that he expects the election to take place in February 2009. At his departure from FOB Delta, E,barah expressed his desire to be of service, stated he was happy to meet with embassy officials at any time and told the PRT to call him if they ever have any questions related to his organization. ¶4. (S/ / REL USA, ACGU) Comment: E,barah was clearly grateful for the first-class medical attention he received on FOB Delta. He was relaxed and spoke openly of a hoped-for new beginning in Iraq where Americans could freely walk the streets of Iraqi cities in peace. While E,barah,s motivation, for this most recent visit, was likely self-interested, the fact that a senior Sadrist official felt comfortable enough to ask for medical treatment from U.S. military forces is perhaps a sign of a real desire for change within the ranks of the Sadr organization, at least at the provincial level. CROCKER