FADILA ON THE SADRIST INSURRECTION: MILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000961

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL IZ
SUBJECT: FADILA ON THE SADRIST INSURRECTION: MILITARY
SOLUTION NOT THE ANSWER


Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) In a telephone conversation with Poloff on March 28,
Dr. Basim al-Hechaimi, Fadila bloc and COR member, shared his
opinions on the Sadrist insurrection with Poloff. Stating
that a "military solution is not the answer," Dr. Basim
suggested that a parliamentary committee be formed to resolve
the situation. Pressed about Fadila's recent call for an end
to hostilities "as soon as possible," Dr. Basim remarked that
a cease-fire is necessary to prevent a widespread
humanitarian crisis from occurring.


2. (C) Dr. Basim also leveled harsh criticism at PM Maliki
for rushing into the situation without discussing his plans
with the other branches of government. Asked whether Fadila
would support a "no-confidence" vote against the PM, Dr.
Basim indicated that people should not rush to act based on
emotion. In the next breath, though, he said that any
"no-confidence" measure should be based not on this one
issue, but on an overall assessment of Maliki's performance
as PM. When pressed further, he refused to speculate on
whether Fadila would support such a vote. Questioned about
media reports indicating that Fadila militants have joined
forces with the Sadrist militias in Basrah, Dr. Basim stated
that Fadila has requested that its members remain at home,
but he added that Fadila is a large organization and it would
be impossible for the party to control the actions of all its
members. Reiterating his earlier comments, Dr. Basim
concluded the conversation by stating that the situation
could not be solved militarily, and that there must be a
concerted effort to stop the hostilities in Basrah as soon as
possible.
CROCKER