US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD2793

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002793 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2025 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, PTER, IZ 
SUBJECT: FORMER IIG MINISTER SAMARA'I SEEKS TRACTION BY 
LEGITIMIZING RESISTANCE 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford. 
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY.  Former Iraqi Interim Government 
(IIG) Minister of Electricity Ayham al-Samara'i is 
trying to forge a name by organizing a political party 
understood to have ties to insurgent groups.  At a 
June 29 press conference, Samara'i justified these 
groups "resisting the occupation by all available 
means".  Another Sunni leader discounts Samarai's 
ability to gain traction with this approach since 
Samara'i was a previous member of the government.  We 
intend to meet with Samara'i and raise our strong 
disagreement with his comments in the next few days. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) Former Iraqi Interim Government Minister of 
Electricity and previous Dr. Pachachi-ally Ayham al- 
Samarai formed the "National Council for Unity and 
Reconstruction of Iraq" on 29 June.  Among the 
council's stated aims was an acknowledgement of the 
"people's right to resist the occupation by all 
available means, a right enshrined in heavenly and 
worldly system."  Samarai described the setup in Iraq 
as an "unlawful military occupation... continuous 
blatant violation of Iraqi human rights...and 
increasing suffering of the Iraqi people over the past 
two years of occupation."  In addition, Samarai 
distinguished between the "legitimate Iraqi 
resistance" and terrorism, which the council rejected. 
 
3.  (C/NF) Sunni National Dialogue Council member 
Saleh al-Mutlak remarked to PolOff 1 July that 
although he is a friend of Samarai's, he does not 
approve of the means by which Samarai is trying to 
make a name for himself.  Mutlak noted how Samarai 
benefited from the Coalition through his appointment 
to the Minister of Electricity position in the IIG and 
was accused of one of the most corrupt officials in 
the government.  Mutlak doubted Samarai would get any 
traction through the council since the people viewed 
him as corrupt and as a member of the former 
government. 
 
4.  (C/NF) Comment:  We will seek out Samarai to 
express to him our unequivocal disapproval of his 
remarks about. 
 
5.  (U) REO HILLA, REO BASRA, REO MOSUL, and REO 
KIRKUK, minimize considered. 
 
Satterfield