Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08HILLAH75
2008-09-02 08:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
REO Hillah
Cable title:
SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TAKE AIM AT PM MALIKI AND HIS
how-toVZCZCXRO2916 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHIHL #0075 2460843 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P R 020843Z SEP 08 FM REO HILLAH TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0945 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH 1174
C O N F I D E N T I A L HILLAH 000075
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/2/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TAKE AIM AT PM MALIKI AND HIS
TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS
REF: HILLAH 74
CLASSIFIED BY: Kenneth Hillas, PRT Leader, Babil PRT, Dept of
State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
(U) This is a PRT Babil reporting cable.
C O N F I D E N T I A L HILLAH 000075
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/2/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TAKE AIM AT PM MALIKI AND HIS
TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS
REF: HILLAH 74
CLASSIFIED BY: Kenneth Hillas, PRT Leader, Babil PRT, Dept of
State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
(U) This is a PRT Babil reporting cable.
1. (C) In an August 31 meeting with the Babil PRT team leader,
Babil's Provincial Council (PC) Deputy Chair, Dr. Nea'ma, a
Da'wa member, discussed Governor Salam's (ISCI) attempts to
subvert Prime Minister (PM) Maliki's efforts to create tribal
support councils by starting a rival ISCI-backed tribal council.
In an attempt to counter the PM's tribal organizing initiative
in southern provinces, Governor Salam hosted officials from ten
provincial governments (governors, provincial council chairs or
their deputies) at an August 31 conference in Hillah, ostensibly
to promote more power for provincial governments. (A banner hung
above the entrance to the meeting hall proclaimed "Activating
the Provincial Councils.") Although the PC Chair, Mohammed al
Massaoudi, was the nominal host of the event, Governor Salam
actually undertook the organization and controlled the program.
We understand that the Diwaniyah (Qadasiya) Governor gave
encouragement to Governor Salam.
2. (C) According to Dr. Nea'ma, ISCI leader Amar Al-Hakim was
involved in this initiative from the beginning. The primary
conclusion/recommendation from the conference was "that the
provinces needed to oppose the PM's tribal support councils and
to set up their own. The only two voices in opposition to this
recommendation were the Karbala Governor and Dr. Nea'ma (both
Da'wa). Nea'ma said the governor and ISCI plannned to use the
PC's in the south to pressure the PM-backed support councils. He
characterized this development as a "disaster" and a prime
example of why the provinces are in "deep need" of provincial
elections. PC Chairman Mohammed was reportedly surprised when he
found out at the meeting's agenda was about the TSCs and not
giving Provincial Council's more power.
3. (C) An alternative tribal council, supported by Governor
Salam/ISCI in opposition to the PM's support councils, will be
held in Hillah on September 4. The PRT has made clear that the
USG does not support this effort and is not taking sides on how
tribal shiekhs wish to organize themselves.
SIGNATURE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/2/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TAKE AIM AT PM MALIKI AND HIS
TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS
REF: HILLAH 74
CLASSIFIED BY: Kenneth Hillas, PRT Leader, Babil PRT, Dept of
State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
(U) This is a PRT Babil reporting cable.
1. (C) In an August 31 meeting with the Babil PRT team leader,
Babil's Provincial Council (PC) Deputy Chair, Dr. Nea'ma, a
Da'wa member, discussed Governor Salam's (ISCI) attempts to
subvert Prime Minister (PM) Maliki's efforts to create tribal
support councils by starting a rival ISCI-backed tribal council.
In an attempt to counter the PM's tribal organizing initiative
in southern provinces, Governor Salam hosted officials from ten
provincial governments (governors, provincial council chairs or
their deputies) at an August 31 conference in Hillah, ostensibly
to promote more power for provincial governments. (A banner hung
above the entrance to the meeting hall proclaimed "Activating
the Provincial Councils.") Although the PC Chair, Mohammed al
Massaoudi, was the nominal host of the event, Governor Salam
actually undertook the organization and controlled the program.
We understand that the Diwaniyah (Qadasiya) Governor gave
encouragement to Governor Salam.
2. (C) According to Dr. Nea'ma, ISCI leader Amar Al-Hakim was
involved in this initiative from the beginning. The primary
conclusion/recommendation from the conference was "that the
provinces needed to oppose the PM's tribal support councils and
to set up their own. The only two voices in opposition to this
recommendation were the Karbala Governor and Dr. Nea'ma (both
Da'wa). Nea'ma said the governor and ISCI plannned to use the
PC's in the south to pressure the PM-backed support councils. He
characterized this development as a "disaster" and a prime
example of why the provinces are in "deep need" of provincial
elections. PC Chairman Mohammed was reportedly surprised when he
found out at the meeting's agenda was about the TSCs and not
giving Provincial Council's more power.
3. (C) An alternative tribal council, supported by Governor
Salam/ISCI in opposition to the PM's support councils, will be
held in Hillah on September 4. The PRT has made clear that the
USG does not support this effort and is not taking sides on how
tribal shiekhs wish to organize themselves.
SIGNATURE