Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3759
2008-11-30 11:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

MUTHANNA GOVERNOR AND PC CHAIRMAN DISCUSS

Tags:  PGOV PINR SOCI IZ ECON EINV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2368
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3759/01 3351143
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 301143Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0615
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003759 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR SOCI IZ ECON EINV
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA GOVERNOR AND PC CHAIRMAN DISCUSS
PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, SOFA, AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT

REF: A. BAGHDAD 3682

B. BAGHDAD 3654

Classified By: Senior Advisor Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003759

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR SOCI IZ ECON EINV
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA GOVERNOR AND PC CHAIRMAN DISCUSS
PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, SOFA, AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT

REF: A. BAGHDAD 3682

B. BAGHDAD 3654

Classified By: Senior Advisor Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The governor and Provincial Council chairman told
Senior Advisor Gray and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)
Muthanna staff on November 24 that the elections will be
successful and free of violence, the SOFA agreement should
pass, and foreign investment will continue to be a top
priority of the province. End summary.

--------------
Provincial Elections Preview
--------------


2. (C) During a November 24 visit, Senior Advisor Gray and
PRT Muthanna staff met separately with Muthanna's Governor
Ahmed Marzook and Provincial Council (PC) Chairman Abdul
Hussein Al-Dhalimi on a wide range of issues. Marzook and
Dhalimi predicted the upcoming provincial elections will be
more successful than in 2005. They said the drastically
improved security situation will dampen intimidation and the
large number of candidates (about 868 spread among 49
political parties) will create an outcome more reflective of
the population. Both officials said voters will not be
intimidated or dissuaded from voting because Muthanna
continues to be one of the most peaceful areas in Iraq.


3. (C) When queried about the role that foreign interference
will play in the election, the PC Chairman Dhalimi responded,
"I do not support these concerns." Dhalimi said foreign
influence is always present in democracies, but downplayed
its effect in Muthanna. Governor Marzook, however, hinted at
Iranian support for his opponents. This unease was made
explicit in a separate meeting with Thair Marzook, the
governor's brother, who told us in that Iranian intelligence
was funding select parties, allowing them to better
disseminate propaganda. Thair, who said he was running his
brother's campaign, asked the U.S. to support "us" through
preferential reconstruction contracts, promising in return a
strategic friend willing to take on external influence and

local militias. PRT Muthanna refused, reminding the
governor's brother that the U.S. is supporting a democratic
process, not specific parties.


4. (C) Governor Marzook and PC Chairman Dhalimi noted that
due to the large number of political parties participating in
the upcoming election, no single party will dominate in
Muthanna. Governor Marzook jokingly declared, "I assure
victory for my list." (Note: Governor Marzook is running on
an independent party list. End note.) When pressed,
Governor Marzook conceded that five to eight major parties
will be competitive in this election. (Note: The current
41-member PC is comprised of nine parties or coalitions of
independent members. Given that the next PC will only be 26
members, a many current PC members will lose their seats.
End note.)

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SOFA
--------------


5. (C) Both the PC chairman and the governor hoped the Status
of Forces Agreement (SOFA) would pass the Council of
Representatives (CoR) because it provides an organized way
for the U.S. to depart Iraq. (Note: The CoR passed the SOFA
on November 27. End note.) PC Chairman Dhalimi commented
that debate in the CoR is positive, as it helps educate
Iraqis on the arguments in favor and against the SOFA. He
also said the SOFA enjoys a great deal of support in
Muthanna, given the large demonstrations in support in recent
days (ref A).

--------------
Foreign Direct Investment
--------------


6. (C) The PC chairman and other PC members who attended the
Q6. (C) The PC chairman and other PC members who attended the
meeting talked about the importance of investment, and noted
the active role the Provincial Investment Commission (PIC) is
playing in attracting business to Muthanna. They listed the
province's investment priorities, particularly heavy
industry, which largely paralleled recent PRT discussions
with the PIC chairman (ref B). Specifically, Dhalimi said
Muthanna seeks investment in cement plants, construction
materials, and a 30,000 unit housing project.


BAGHDAD 00003759 002 OF 002



7. (C) Similar to previous discussions, the PC chairman
stressed the desire for U.S. companies to invest. One of the
licenses recently issued by the PIC had a Chinese company
listed as a subcontractor on the project. A participant in
the meeting noted with dismay, "we did not expect China to
come before the U.S." with private sector funding. PRT
Muthanna's team leader emphasized to the PC chairman that the
PRT has a full-time attach from the Commerce Department who
is spearheading the private investment portfolio for the PRT.


8. (C) In order to aid in the process of attracting direct
investment from the U.S., the officials in the PC Chairman's
office asked for PRT help in facilitating meetings with
American businesses, either in Iraq or back in the United
States. One PC member noted that the visa process to gain
entry into the U.S. can be cumbersome, and hoped Embassy
Baghdad can help facilitate the issuance of visas and other
required documents.

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


9. (C) This round of meetings further demonstrate the
importance placed by the PC and the Governor on maintaining a
substantive relationship with the PRT and the U.S. Mission.
If our Iraqi interlocutors' predictions are correct with
regard to the success of the upcoming elections, the PRT
expects that the Muthanna's relative calm will attract more
foreign investors. End comment.
CROCKER