NEW ANTI-DAWA COALITION CONTROLS MAJORITY OF BABIL

UNCLAS HILLAH 000046

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: NEW ANTI-DAWA COALITION CONTROLS MAJORITY OF BABIL
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL VOTES


1. (U) This is a PRT Babil cable.




2. (SBU) Summary and Comment: On Sunday, August 9, 2009,
Iraqi press reported the formation of a new coalition of 18
members of the Babil provincial council called the Babil
National Coalition formed in opposition to the ruling DAWA
coalition. We have verified that the number in the news was
incorrect; there are 16 members in the new coalition. 16 PC
votes constitute the majority necessary to remove the Governor
from office if the PC were to pursue that course of action per
the procedures in Law 21. PRT-Babil heard a different
interpretation of the intent of the new coalition from Sheikh
Ali Shanan (reported via email) and we are looking further into
this issue. The PRT is requesting a meeting with Deputy
Governor Witwit for later this week. End Summary and Comment.




3. (U) The new coalition reportedly included members of
Shaheed Al-Mihrab (ISCI),Iraqi commission of NGOs (Iskander
Slate),Iraqi National Slate (Sabah Allawi),Independent Ansar
Bloc (Mohammed Al-Masoudi Slate),and Justice Independent Slate.
The new coalition did not include the State of Law coalition
(DAWA),Ahrar Independent Trend (Sadrists) or National Reform
Trend (Dr. Jaafari Slate).




4. (U) The new coalition members held a press conference at
the Al-Dhikrayat hotel in Hillah August 9 at which they
distributed a press release stating that the aims of the new
coalition were ensuring all views are heard in the political
process in Babil, stopping corruption, and improving delivery of
services.




5. (U) Some of members of the new coalition have denied any
ambition to remove or dismiss local officials in the Governorate
or Provincial Council. Babil Deputy Governor Iskander Witwit
(independent) reportedly stated that the new coalition was
formed to combat dictatorship and exclusion of some views from
local government. Former Provincial Council Chairman Mohammed
Al-Masoudi (Independent Ansar Bloc) expressed his opposition to
any separation inside the Council because of the formation of
this new coalition, stressing the necessity to maintain the
strength of the Council.




6. (U) The members of the new coalition reportedly believed
that they had been excluded from decision making and denied
responsibilities. Mr. Rasool Hamzah (independent),a PRDC member
who is also the nephew of the Governor, reportedly believed that
new coalition members would try to remove the Governor because
he had not acceded to the PC request that the province buy a car
for each PC member.




7. (U) Deputy Governor Mr. Sadiq Rasool (National Reform
Trend) reportedly denied that the PC members forming the new
coalition had been excluded from the political process. He also
indicated that he believed that the new coalition members formed
the new coalition with the best interests of Babil province in
mind, and that they do not plan to remove the Governor from his
position. Deputy Governor Rasool commented that the Governor
had not refused to buy cars for the PC members -- he just would
like to find a legal basis for purchasing these cars.

ROBERTSR