KIRKUK: SIXTH ANNUAL ARAB CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000706 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV IZ SUBJECT: KIRKUK: SIXTH ANNUAL ARAB CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON ARTICLE 23 AND NEED FOR ARAB UNITY THIS IS A PRT KIRKUK REPORTING CABLE. This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; handle accordingly. Not for distribution on the Internet. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During the sixth annual Arab Conference in Kirkuk, held March 14, speakers addressed the need for Arab unity, and progress on Article 23, Article 140 and detainees. The conference was notable for the unity of its speakers in calling for support of the Article 23 process and the renunciation of violence as a means of effecting political change. The participants did not offer any specific flexibility on disputes most important to the Kurds, but they also mostly avoided antagonizing the situation. Settling the most important issues in Kirkuk will be challenging, but this conference at least did not make it more difficult. END SUMMARY. -------------- THE PARTICIPANTS ) DRAWN FROM A WIDE SWATH OF THE ARABS OF THE PROVINCE, PLUS A FEW TURKMEN AND KURDS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The sixth Annual Arab Conference in Kirkuk, held on March 14, drew a crowd of over 200, including tribal sheikhs, academics, and professionals from throughout the province. The main theme of the conference was Article 23 of the Provincial Election Law. Ahmed Obeidi hosted the event, to which over 500 people were invited, including Kurds and Turkmen. The most notable Arabs at the conference included the following: Arab Unity Bloc Chairman Sheikh Hussein Ali Salih (aka Abu Saddam); Deputy Governor Rakan Saeed al-Juboori; Provincial Council (PC) Member Sheikh Abdullah Sami Al-Assi; PC Member Mohammed Khalil; and Council of Representatives and Article 23 Committee member Omar al-Juboori. (NOTE: Members of Moqtada al-Sadr's party refused to enter the conference center due to the presence of a USG representative.) The only prominent Turkomen in attendance was Kirkuk City Council Chairman Munir Burhan al-Qafily, and the only prominent Kurd was the chief of the National Security Council for Kirkuk, Nozad Barzinji, a member of the KDP. -------------- SPEAKERS CALL IN UNISON FOR SUPPORT FOR ARTICLE 23 PROCESS AND REJECTION OF VIOLENCE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Ahmed Obeidi declared that the conference would focus on Article 23; he and every other speaker voiced support for its implementation. Obeidi noted that the responsibility to support the Article 23 Committee belongs to members of every tribe and ethnic group, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Governor Rakan. Omar Jaboori spoke extensively on the importance of Article 23 and the need for those present to support it. He sought assistance from Arab intellectuals, sheikhs and tribal members in providing evidence to be used to support the Committee's recommendations. ¶4. (SBU) Abu Saddam called for an end to violence and exhorted those gathered to permit no further delays in the implementation of Article 23. Abdullah Sami pleaded to reject extremism and to refrain from inflammatory commentary. Mohammed Khalil said the approaching deadline for the Article 23 Committee's recommendations made support by those present all the more important. -------------- CALLS FOR INTERETHNIC DIALOGUE BUT REPEATED REFERENCE TO OBSTACLES CREATED BY THAT "OTHER GROUP" ) THE KURDS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Obeidi expressed the need for inter-ethnic dialogue on Article 23 and other issues. The Deputy Governor concurred, saying intra-ethnic discussion alone was insufficient. He added that the Arabs are "open to dialogue, but it depends on the other side." He alluded to alleged Kurdish abuses by saying "things happen in the province that QKurdish abuses by saying "things happen in the province that are against the Constitution." ¶6. (SBU) Omar Juboori emphasized the intransigence of the Kurds, saying that "some sides" have power now and are finding it hard to cede their positions. By "obstructing" the Article 23 process in this way, they may stop provincial elections in Kirkuk from occurring. In addition, while discussing the demographic aspect of Article 23 regarding the review of voter registries, he said that "some seek to change the ethnic identity of the province." BAGHDAD 00000706 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Abu Saddam alluded to the need for dialogue by saying that the Kurds must come to realize how dangerous this period is since "greedy neighbors" (i.e., Iran and Turkey) would like to intrude into Kirkuk's affairs. He added how the Kirkuki Arabs previously had declined offers of (armed) help from Ramadi and Mosul against the Kurds. He added that the interest of both the Arabs and Turkmen must be taken into account if there was to be any lasting resolution to the key issues. ¶8. (SBU) His focus was mostly, however, on the failure of the Kurds to live up to the past promises. Foremost among these was the December 2, 2007 agreement. He then recounted how the impasse on that agreement eventually led to the enactment of Article 23. The next promise allegedly broken was President Talabani's agreement in December 2008 to implement power-sharing within a month. Finally, he mentioned a committee, which Massoud Barzani established during a meeting with the Kirkuk Arabs in Erbil, which was to resolve issues with the Arabs and which Abu Saddam said had achieved nothing. In light of these examples, he believed the true intention of the Kurds was to delay. He also cited kidnappings, disappearances and land trespasses by the Kurds since 2003. ¶9. (SBU) Mohammed Khalil echoed Abu Saddam's opinions on the December 2, 2007 agreement, noting that had it been implemented, Article 23 would not have been necessary and provincial elections could have taken place already in Kirkuk. He also raised the Kurds' resistance to transferring the PC Chairmanship to the Turkomen as outlined in a letter from the Article 23 Committee to the PC. -------------- THE NEED TO SET ASIDE TRIBAL ORIENTATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) All the speakers addressed the need to put aside tribal allegiances and partake in the political process. The Deputy Governor noted that the improved security in the province allowed greater participation in the political process and exhorted those present to become involved. He reminded them of how past Arab boycotts had only resulted in the domination of provincial governmental institutions by "other groups" (the Kurds). Omar Jaboori was encouraged to see the healthy turn-out for the conference, calling it a sign of increased political activism of the Arabs of the province. Abu Saddam, Khalil, Sami and Omar Juboori all called for the Arabs to put aside their tribal differences and unite. Sami added that any discord among them would be exploited by the "other side." -------------- OTHER ISSUES ) ARTICLE 140 AND DETAINEES -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Speakers also were united in their opposition to Kirkuk joining the KRG, with one explicitly stating that Article 140 had expired. Abu Saddam mentioned in passing the need to eliminate corruption and the protection of the rights of minorities such as the Christians. The issue of detainees was mentioned repeatedly, including by Sami who sought the release of innocent detainees by the "occupation" forces while avoiding releasing those against whom charges should be brought. Speakers also demanded a release of those detained by the Kurdish security forces and an accounting for those who "disappeared" after being taken by such forces. Ahmed Obeidi closed the conference by soliciting input in writing regarding the issues which had been discussed. ¶12. (SBU) COMMENT. The calls for a united front supporting Article 23 and rejecting violence were encouraging. While QArticle 23 and rejecting violence were encouraging. While those present did not reveal any concessions they might eventually be willing to trade with the Kurds in negotiations, they also mostly resisted rhetoric that would make such compromises more difficult. End Comment. BUTENIS