PRT KIRKUK: DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES OFFICIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000702

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PRT KIRKUK: DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES OFFICIAL
PORTFOLIO FROM GOVERNOR

Classified By: PRT Kirkuk Team Leader Howard Keegan
for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is a PRT Kirkuk reporting cable.


2. (C) SUMMARY: Deputy Governor Rakan Saeed Ali Radwan
al-Jubori received his official duties and authorities in an
official communiqu from Kirkuk Governor Abdul Rahman Mustafa
Fatih on February 27. The document cites each
responsibility in very ambiguous terms. Deputy Governor
Rakan has expressed his anxiety over these duties to members
of the PRT and is determined to exact more information from
Governor Abdul Rahman. END SUMMARY.

FINALLY, A PORTFOLIO FOR THE NEW KIRKUK DEPUTY GOVERNOR
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3. (SBU) Kirkuk Deputy Governor Rakan Saeed Ali Radwan
al-Jubori was voted into office by the Provincial Council on
January 15. His appointment followed five months of
negotiations between the Kirkuk Brotherhood List (KBL) and
the Arab Bloc facilitated and mediated by PRT Kirkuk. The
appointment of an Arab Deputy Governor was a critical
component of the Arab Bloc's decision to end their year-long
boycott of the Provincial Council. Kirkuk Governor Abdul
Rahman Mustafa Fatih had resisted recognizing the Deputy
Governor's exact duties until February 27 when he relented
only after members of the Provincial Council representing the
KBL and the Arab Bloc pressured him to formally outline the
Deputy's duties.

PORTFOLIO DEFINED BUT NOT SPECIFIC
--------------


4. (U) Governor Abdul Rahman Mustafa signed the Deputy
Governor's authorities on February 27. The seven point
document instructs the Deputy Governor to (a) serve as Acting
Governor in the absence #0Vtlvbhe
Governor, (c) oversee the activities of the local district
administrators and report on their activities to the
Governor, (d) authorize periods of leave not to exceed ten
days for employees with the exception of section heads, (e)
supervise the sections of the Kirkuk Government Building and
report on their activities to the Governor, (f) sign for the
Governor after attaining the Governor's permission, and (g)
supervise all central committees of the Kirkuk Government
Building. No further language was included in the document
outlining the Deputy Governor's authorities.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR NOT SATISFIED WITH PORTFOLIO
--------------


5. (C) Deputy Governor Rakan recently expressed his
dissatisfaction with the designated responsibilities to
members of the PRT. He is particularly unhappy that he is
not authorized to oversee the province's security and
agricultural sectors. Both of these sectors are priority
issues for the Arab communities of Kirkuk Province. In
addition, the duties in the Governor's document are not
delineated in detail leaving the Deputy Governor somewhat
confused on how to proceed. Three days after delivering the
authorities document to the Deputy Governor, the Governor
departed for Baghdad on a business trip. The Governor left
no notice for the Deputy Governor on what business he needed
to transact nor did he instruct his staff to deliver all
incoming work or correspondence to the Deputy Governor. The
Deputy Governor told us this makes him feel his position is
merely symbolic and he would like the Governor to instruct
his staff that in the absence of the Governor, the Deputy
Governor assumes the role of Acting Governor. Rakan also
told us that he intends to meet with the Governor upon his
return in hopes of obtaining further clarification on his
roles and responsibilities.

COMMENT
--------------


6. (C) The Deputy Governor is clearly not happy with his
portfolio and was expecting more responsibility, including
oversight of the agricultural sector. Upon assuming office,
he was given a broken vehicle, and the house designated for
the Deputy Governor is now being used as a party headquarters
for the Toilers Party. While he is not pushing to occupy the
house, he has asked for a subsidy for another house. In
February, PC Chairman Rizgar Ali Hamajan started providing
Deputy Governor Rakan with a subsidy of 2000 USD, and
indicates he will continue to provide this subsidy. It is
unclear where these funds come from. PC Chairman Rizgar has
also indicated he is working on obtaining an appropriate
vehicle for the Deputy Governor.


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7. (C) Governor Abdul Rahman sees the newly filled Deputy
Governors, position as a threat to his own position. While
he is known to be a weak Governor and resists making
decisions unless he has clear instructions or authority, he
does not wish to share his duties with someone he personally
believes is "trying to take his power." Should the Deputy
Governor push for further clarification from Governor Abdul
Rahman he is likely to receive it but only for the points
outlined in the February 27 document. It was only after the
Governor experienced significant pressure from both the KBL
and the Arab Bloc that he relented and produced the
authorities document. END COMMENT.
CROCKER