Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3413
2008-10-26 10:57:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PGOV PINR IZ 
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VZCZCXRO5034
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3413 3001057
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 261057Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0092
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
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.

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