SUNNI CLERIC ON BASRAH AFTER COK, RECONSTRUCTION DELAYS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000054

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/3/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON PINS IR IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI CLERIC ON BASRAH AFTER COK, RECONSTRUCTION DELAYS,
UPCOMING ELECTIONS

REF: BASRAH 08

CLASSIFIED BY: Howell Howard, Director, Regional Embassy Office
Basrah, Dept. of State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)

1. (C/rel MCFI) In a meeting held on May 20 at the Basrah
Regional Embassy Office, Sheikh Abd al-Karim al-Dosari, a
leading Sunni cleric, discussed the improved environment in
Basrah following the Charge of the Knights (COK) operation,
crediting the GOI and the ISF for the instrumental role that
they have played. He said that sectarian tensions have eased,
with steps toward reconciliation. People still fear that the
militias could return, and he warned of continued Iranian
interference in Basrah. Dosari stated that the climate is
advantageous for independent candidates in the provincial
election, as many of Basrah's residents are frustrated by the
inefficacy of the established political blocs who dominate the
Provincial Council. Concerned that the established political
blocs will attempt to co-opt or intimidate independent
candidates, he asserted that the Iranians would do whatever they
can to influence the elections. He lamented the slow pace of
reconstruction in Basrah and lambasted local officials. Dosari
indicated that he may run in provincial elections as either an
independent or as part of a nationalist coaltion. End Summary.


2. (C/rel MCFI) During a meeting held on May 20 at the Basrah
Regional Embassy Office, Sheikh Abd al-Karim al-Dosari shared
his opinions on the improved security situation in Basrah
following the COK operation. Stating that the operation had
produced tangible security results, he added that it has
restored public confidence in the GOI and the ISF, and there is
newfound sense that Iraq now has a government that is working
for them. Commenting on the Iraqi Police, he said that COK
"separated the good cops from the bad." He also acknowledged
the important role of the tribes in COK, and he praised the CF,
and in particular, the U.S., for their contributions.


3. (C/rel MCFI) Dosari also said that sectarian relations have
improved since the COK. Though the militias were never able to
completely break down relations between Sunnis and Shias,
significant tensions existed and people had been afraid to
openly mix with members of other sects. With the militias now on
the run and unable to intimidate people, Basrawis are initiating
steps towards reconciliation and dialogue. "Even the firebrands
have begun to tone down their rhetoric," he claimed.


4. (C/rel MCFI) Despite the improved situation, Dosari said that
there is a concern that the Iranian-backed militias could return
to Basrah better trained and equipped, and he urged the CF to
take steps to counter Iran's attempts to destabilize southern
Iraq. He also shared the frustrations that many people feel
about the slow pace of reconstruction in Basrah since the COK,
and when asked about the $100 million emergency reconstruction
fund, Dosari simply laughed and said, "What money? Where is this
money?" He then proceeded to launch into a diatribe against
Basrah's local officials, dismissing them as "corrupt and
incompetent."


5. (C/rel MCFI) Regarding the upcoming provincial elections,
Dosari said that many Basrawis have a low opinion of their
political leaders, many of whom are from established party
blocs. Because of this, independents, nationalists, and tribes
have decided to run in the upcoming elections, and he appeared
confident that these groups would do well. He did caution,
though, that some of the established political blocs will try to
co-opt or intimidate independents, and he also warned that Iran
will do everything it can to influence the results of the
upcoming elections. Before concluding the meeting, Sheikh
Dosari revealed that he was considering running in the upcoming
provincial election as an independent or as part of a
nationalist political entity comprised of Sunnis, Shia, and
Christians.


6. (C/rel MCFI) COMMENT: Dosari is a sheikh of the Sunni Al
Dawsir tribe. He has navigated the stormy religious waters to
become respected by moderate Shia. His tribesmen have not made
a practice of attacking Shia, nor has the Al Dawsir attacked ISF
or CF. Fadhila leaders reportedly like him but the ISCI/Badr
group does not. He also enjoys some protection as a
representative of VP Tareq al-Hashimi and an advocate for the
various Sunni municipal leaders. Ambassador Crocker met with him
and several other sheikhs earlier this year. Dosari is a
credible leader outside of the Shia political infighting whose
opinions should be taken seriously on the slow pace of
reconstruction, the solid yet fragile gains of COK and the
danger posed by Iranian influence for the coming provincial
election.

HOWARD