UNAMI CHIEF ON ELECTIONS AND UPCOMING MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000459

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2023
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: UNAMI CHIEF ON ELECTIONS AND UPCOMING MEETING WITH
SISTANI


Classified By: Ambassador Ryan Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: UNAMI Special Representative of the Secretary
General to Iraq Staffan de Mistura told the Ambassador on
February 15 that UNAMI's decision to assist the CoR in
filling eight vacant Governorate Electoral Office (GEO)
director positions, rather than firing all GEO directors and
selecting replacements, was based on the press of time in
preparing for upcoming provincial elections. He said UNAMI
continues to believe that, with adequate supervision and
technical assistance, the Independent High Electoral
Commission (IHEC) can deliver a free and fair election. The
Ambassador urged de Mistura to work closely with IHEC and all
political parties to this end. De Mistura divulged that he
will meet with Grand Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf on February
19 and may also have a meeting with senior Sadrist officials.
Noting that Sistani and the Marja'iyyah may lack accurate
information about international community views and efforts,
the Ambassador suggested that de Mistura explain UNAMI plans
to support elections while attempting to establish a regular
and reliable link of communication with Sistani or a
designated interlocutor. The Ambassador asked de Mistura to
convey to the Sadrists that we respect the Sadrist Trend and
Sadr's decision to declare a ceasefire, and we urge the
Sadrists to extend the ceasefire. End Summary.

Elections
--------------


2. (C) De Mistura explained that his February 14 decision to
assist the CoR in selecting eight new GEO directors, rather
than firing all GEO directors and starting anew, was taken in
consultation with top CoR officials and political parties.
While parties such as Fadhila, the Sadrist Trend, and the
Iraq Islamic Party are not happy with this decision, he
asserted, no party is so unhappy that they will try to block
the process as they would have done in the event of wholesale
GEO changes. He said the decision was based mainly on the
relatively short time between now and October 1, the date
fixed by the CoR as the latest possible election date. de
Mistura said the eight new GEO directors would be selected in
a transparent manner, adding that UNAMI has a clear idea of
potential troublemakers among existing GEO directors and
would be reviewing their professional qualifications and
conducting additional supervision.


3. (C) After the Ambassador noted that Prime Minister Maliki,
ISCI, and others continue to express concerns about the
Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC),de Mistura said
UNAMI continues to believe that, with adequate supervision
and technical assistance, IHEC can deliver a free and fair
election. He said the senior IHEC official (a Sadrist) who
has drawn complaints from other parties is actually a
competent worker, though UNAMI is watching him carefully.
The Ambassador urged de Mistura to work closely with IHEC and
all political parties to ensure a smooth and transparent
electoral process, and to speak out publicly if necessary to
identify problem areas and those responsible.

Meeting Sistani and Sadrists in Najaf
--------------


4. (C) De Mistura divulged that he will meet with Grand
Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf on February 19 and may have a
separate meeting with senior Sadrist officials on the same
day. The Ambassador observed that the USG and international
community lack a regular and reliable means of direct
communication with Sistani and the Marja'iyyah, and hoped
that de Mistura could establish a direct and regular channel
with Sistani or a designated representative such as his son,
Muhammad Ridha. This is particularly important, he
continued, since Sistani and the Marja'iyyah may lack
accurate information about international community and USG
views and efforts. The Ambassador suggested that de Mistura
explain UNAMI plans to support elections that will address
imbalances and reduce tension within Iraqi society, and urge
Sistani to use his influence with parties to press for their
assistance in ensuring a fair and violence-free election. He
related that recent Sistani visitors such as President
Talabani and Vice President Abdel Mehdi told us they had been
scolded by Sistani and his cleric colleagues for the GOI's
failure to deliver services or economic growth.


5. (C) De Mistura said that while he doubts he will meet with
Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, he may be talking to some of Sadr's
closest advisors, and the UNAMI chief asked for our input.
The Ambassador asked de Mistura to convey that we respect the
Sadrist Trend's place in Iraq and want to establish a better
mutual understanding. Furthermore, we respect Sadr's wise
decision to declare a ceasefire last August and that Sadrists
should understand that we have not sought to take advantage
on the ceasefire by targeting Sadrists. Rather, we have

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targeted only those who have disobeyed the ceasefire order
and showed their disloyalty to Sadr. No aim of the Sadrist
Trend will be advanced through a return to violence, he
continued, and it is essential for Iraq that the ceasefire be
extended.
CROCKER