US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3752

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003752 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, IZ, Parliament 
SUBJECT: A SHIFT OF POWER IN THE PM'S OFFICE 
 
Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 
 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  There have been more shake-ups at the Prime 
Ministry.  Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister Adnan Ali 
Al-Khadimi has unofficially usurped the role of the PM's 
Chief of Staff.  Khadimi's consolidation of power has led to 
resentment among key PM staffers.  His failure to prioritize 
and delegate has created a bottleneck delaying 
decision-making and implementation on several projects. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C) The shift of power to Khadimi has been evident during 
recent high level visits, including that of the Jordanian PM 
(septel) and US congressional delegations.  PM's Chief of 
Staff Abdul Aziz Al-Tamini has been absent or seated farthest 
from the PM, while Khadimi occupies the closest staff seat to 
the PM.  Last week, with a forced smile, Al-Tamini told 
PolOff to consult with Adnan Ali on upcoming PM projects. 
Recently, Shi'a political figure Saad Saleh Jabr told PolOff 
that he and Khadimi are the only two PM advisors left.  He 
then whispered that Adnan got rid of the rest. 
 
3.  (C) Conversations with key PM staffers indicate a growing 
resentment towards Khadimi's unwillingness to delegate.  PM's 
Chief of Protocol Jassim Msawil griped to PolOff that he is 
not part of this year's PM UNGA 
delegation and has absolutely nothing to do with its 
planning.  Msawil added that he is not even in control of 
filing visa applications and spouted, "Everything is in Adnan 
Ali's back pocket!"  PM Spokesperson Laith Kubba is 
formally in charge of advancing the PM's upcoming trip to the 
US.  On repeated occasions Kubba has told PolOff, that "all 
details rest with Adnan."  Al-Khadimi designated Haidar Abadi 
to be the ITG POC on humanitarian assistance and 
reconstruction task forces regarding Tall'Afar, yet he 
continues to chair 
or co-chair all meetings. He also appears to have the PM's 
ear on how Ja'afari relates to President Talabani. 
 
4.  (C) COMMENT: Khadimi is an action-oriented staffer who is 
comfortable with Americans and seeks results.  We see him 
everywhere now - from Tal Affar planning to the Saddam trial 
to the Jordanian PM visit.  Planning on Tal Affar has been 
delayed at times because Khadimi insists on doing the 
scheduling himself.  Details about the upcoming Ja'afari trip 
fell through cracks because Khadimi failed to delegate them 
to other PM staffers.  Ultimately, Ja'afari is responsible 
for the leadership and organizational shortcomings of his 
team.  The power shifts and in-house rivalries among his 
staff members would normally be of secondary importance to 
the fundamental question of the PM's effectiveness. 
Khadhimi's management style -- by no means unique in the 
Iraqi context -- is a notable factor behind the problems of 
the PM's office.  END COMMENT. 
Satterfield