Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3418
2008-10-26 15:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ VISITS SAMARRA
how-toVZCZCXRO5100 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3418 3001511 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261511Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0098 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003418
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINR IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ VISITS SAMARRA
UNANNOUNCED
Classified By: PRT LEADER RICK BELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003418
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINR IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ VISITS SAMARRA
UNANNOUNCED
Classified By: PRT LEADER RICK BELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) This is a PRT Salah Ad Din reporting cable.
SUMMARY
--------------
2. (C) The Iranian Ambassador to Iraq recently paid an
unannounced visit to the Al-Askari (Golden) Mosque in
Samarra, Salah Ad Din (SAD) province. The Mayor of Samarra
complained to PRT SaD that there had been no advance notice
of the visit. The Iranian Ambassador's apparent ability to
visit Samarra and the Golden Mosque without official
provincial assistance lends credence to SaD Sunni fears that
Iran is gaining significant influence over the reconstruction
of the Mosque, and is seeking to establish radical Shi'a
control of the predominantly Sunni city itself. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) On October 1, 2008 Samarra Mayor Mahmood Khalaf Ahmed
and SaD Governor Hamad Hamood Shekti unexpectedly encountered
the Iranian Ambassador (Hassan Kazemi-Qomi) on a visit to the
Al-Askari (Golden) Mosque. Shekti spoke briefly with the
Ambassador.
4. (C) In the two weeks following the Iranian Ambassador's
visit, Mayor Mahmood has repeatedly approached the PRT
Satellite representative in Samarra with his concern that the
visit was arranged through channels independent of the local
government process. No local or provincial civilian or
military authorities were notified of the visit or consulted
for their approval. On October 10, Mayor Ahmed reconfirmed
that IA Commander of the Samarra Operations Center, MG
Rasheed, was not aware of and did not approve of the visit.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) This is not the first instance where a high level
visitor has arrived unannounced in Samarra, but it is the
first instance where the visitor made no official contact
with local authorities before or during such a visit. Local
Samarra and SaD authorities fear that Iran is gaining
significant influence over the reconstruction of the Mosque,
and is seeking long term control of the Mosque area and the
city itself. They are further concerned that Iran will
assist Hezbollah or a similar organization infiltrating
Samarra with the goal of eventually bringing the city under
radical Shi'a control. The Iranian Ambassador's apparent
ability to visit the Golden Mosque unannounced with inside
(and unofficial) assistance stokes these fears. END COMMENT
CROCKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINR IR IZ
SUBJECT: IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ VISITS SAMARRA
UNANNOUNCED
Classified By: PRT LEADER RICK BELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) This is a PRT Salah Ad Din reporting cable.
SUMMARY
--------------
2. (C) The Iranian Ambassador to Iraq recently paid an
unannounced visit to the Al-Askari (Golden) Mosque in
Samarra, Salah Ad Din (SAD) province. The Mayor of Samarra
complained to PRT SaD that there had been no advance notice
of the visit. The Iranian Ambassador's apparent ability to
visit Samarra and the Golden Mosque without official
provincial assistance lends credence to SaD Sunni fears that
Iran is gaining significant influence over the reconstruction
of the Mosque, and is seeking to establish radical Shi'a
control of the predominantly Sunni city itself. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) On October 1, 2008 Samarra Mayor Mahmood Khalaf Ahmed
and SaD Governor Hamad Hamood Shekti unexpectedly encountered
the Iranian Ambassador (Hassan Kazemi-Qomi) on a visit to the
Al-Askari (Golden) Mosque. Shekti spoke briefly with the
Ambassador.
4. (C) In the two weeks following the Iranian Ambassador's
visit, Mayor Mahmood has repeatedly approached the PRT
Satellite representative in Samarra with his concern that the
visit was arranged through channels independent of the local
government process. No local or provincial civilian or
military authorities were notified of the visit or consulted
for their approval. On October 10, Mayor Ahmed reconfirmed
that IA Commander of the Samarra Operations Center, MG
Rasheed, was not aware of and did not approve of the visit.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) This is not the first instance where a high level
visitor has arrived unannounced in Samarra, but it is the
first instance where the visitor made no official contact
with local authorities before or during such a visit. Local
Samarra and SaD authorities fear that Iran is gaining
significant influence over the reconstruction of the Mosque,
and is seeking long term control of the Mosque area and the
city itself. They are further concerned that Iran will
assist Hezbollah or a similar organization infiltrating
Samarra with the goal of eventually bringing the city under
radical Shi'a control. The Iranian Ambassador's apparent
ability to visit the Golden Mosque unannounced with inside
(and unofficial) assistance stokes these fears. END COMMENT
CROCKER