US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3827

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003827 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, IZ, Shia Islamists, Parliament 
SUBJECT: NOT SO NEW KID ON THE BLOCK, THE AL-FADEELA 
POLITICAL PARTY 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for 
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY.  One of the key players in the 
negotiations over the draft Constitution was the 
Fadeela party and its leader Nadeen Jabiri whom we 
frequently saw huddling with other top Shia Coaltion 
leaders.  Touted as home-grown, intellectual and 
moderate, its leadership publicly supports the 
Constitution, opened its membership to non-Shi'a, 
espouses non-violence and is unfazed by Zarqawi's 
threats of Shi'a bloodletting. Looking forward to the 
December 15 Iraqi national elections the party 
leadership has already decided on its election 
platform and media campaign and says it will eschew a 
political alliance in the election. Fadeela candidates 
will, according to a senior party official, focus on 
three issues; reconstruction of Iraq, sovereignty with 
improving its relationship with coalition forces; and 
development of economic ties with Iraq's neighbors, 
especially Iran and even Syria. END SUMMARY. 
 
Background 
---------- 
 
2.  (U) Although Fadeela party is a newcomer to Iraq's 
political scene, the party was secretly formed in the 
1980s during the Saddam era.  By 1992, Mohammed Sadeq 
al-Sadr used his new Center of Islamic Studies to go 
beyond Shi'a proselytization and focus on community 
organization, thus actively establishing Fadeela 
party's grass roots network. 
 
3.  (U) After Saddam had Sadr assassinated in 1999, 
his closest friend and colleague Nadeen Jabr vowed to 
keep the center alive. With the fall of Saddam, the 
Fadeela political party officially opened its doors. 
 
Party Structure and Membership 
------------------------------ 
 
4.  (U) Party headquarters is located in Baghdad with 
four offices located in Najaf, Basra, Samawah, and 
Amarah.  In smaller towns and city suburbs there are 
groups of party representatives that convey party 
activities and messages. Informal monthly meetings 
are also held in Hillah, Diwaniyah, Kut and Nasariyah. 
The party's budget is derived from a percentage of its 
TNA and provincial government members' salaries. 
There are no membership dues. 
 
5.  (SBU) Fadeela's political committee is located in 
Baghdad and is responsible for all policy decisions 
(with guidance from Najaf's Sheikh Mohammed al- 
Yacoubi).  To gain membership into this prestigious 
committee, fellow members must recommend a candidate 
based on party loyalty, dedication, membership 
recruitment and academic standing. 
 
6.  (C) Political Committee Member and Membership 
Chair Mohammed Ismail al-Khouzai would not reveal to 
PolOff actual membership numbers at their September 15 
meeting.  He did say that Fadeela is interested in 
recruiting people with some higher education, in their 
mid 20-40s, who are employed.  In order to become a 
member, two existing members must recommend a 
candidate . 
 
Why Mohammed Sadeq Sadr and not Moqtada Sadr 
-------------------------------------------- 
7.  (C) Khouzai told PolOff that the reason why 
Fadeela follows Mohammed Sadeq Sadr's legacy is 
because he demonstrated great leadership, had a vast 
knowledge and understanding of political history and 
courageously called for government reforms and release 
of detained Shi'a leaders during the Saddam era.  As a 
result he was assassinated.  Khouzai added that 
Moqtada lacks many of his father Mohammed Sadeq's 
qualities.   The party considers Sadeq's true 
successor to be Ayatollah Kazem al-Haeri (in exile in 
Iran) and not Moqtada. Khouzai commentd that Fadeela 
party leadership wishes Moqtada well in his 
development and hopes he will someday mature into a 
smart leader by choosing to surround himself with 
sensible advisors. 
 
December 15 Elections 
--------------------- 
 
8.  (C) Khouzai was emphatic about Fadeela's refusal 
to strike up an alliance with other political parties. 
The Political Committee has made the decision to 
respect the view of other parties but not seek 
alliances.  Khouzai added that alliances cheapen 
Fadeela's uniqueness. 
 
9.  (C) The Political Committee also decided that fear 
should not be a unifying political platform. Khouzai 
dismissed growing Shi'a concerns about Iran's 
influence in Southern Iraq.  He reasoned that the INA, 
Dawa, SCIRI and Fadeela parties already have a strong 
hold on provincial governments and it makes no sense 
for them to give up control or influence to Iranian 
Shi'a.  He also downplayed Zarqawi's threat to kill 
all the Shia in Iraq because it cannot be worse than 
what Fadeela party leaders suffered during the 
Ba'athist times. 
 
10.  (C) Khouzai informed PolOff that the Fadeela 
candidates will focus on three issues; reconstruction 
of Iraq, sovereignty with improving its relationship 
with coalition forces; and development of economic 
ties with Iraq's neighbors, especially Iran and even 
Syria. 
Satterfield