US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3867

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003867 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, IZ, Sunni Arab 
SUBJECT: ULEMA COUNCIL DECLINES TO CONDEMN ZARQAWI 
UNAMBIGUOSLY; SADRISTS CRITICIZE SUNNIS FOR "SILENCE" 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 3819 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 1. (C)  SUMMARY: A statement from the Sunni Arab Muslim 
Ulema Council criticized Zarqawi's call for war against the 
Shia last week partly on the grounds that it impeded the 
prospects of the "resistance Jihad project" in Iraq. 
PolOff used a September 18 meeting with an Ulema Council 
leader to press for an unambiguous denunciation of Zarqawi 
and terrorism.  Meanwhile, Sadr-linked clergy have 
criticized their Sunni colleagues for comparative silence 
in the wake of Zarqawi's threats.  Ayatollah Kahdum al- 
Haeri (an Iraqi cleric who lives in Qom, Iran) reportedly 
issued a statement calling for Iraqi Shia to form popular 
security committees - a move that if adopted would 
aggravate the militia problem here.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C)  The Muslim Ulema Council (MUC), September 17, 
issued a public statement in response to Zarqawi's call for 
war against the Shia (reftel).  The MUC statement, which 
was carried in four Iraqi newspapers, said that the "Shia 
do not bear the guilt of the Iraqi Transitional 
Government's clear sectarian policy with American 
blessings."  The MUC nonetheless decried the ITG's 
"atrocious attacks against Tall Afar residents."  The 
statement further called on Zarqawi to retract his threats 
against the Shia, charging that such comments "abuse the 
image of Jihad, impedes the success of the resistance Jihad 
effort in Iraq and pushes for more bloodshed of innocent 
Iraqis." 
 
3. (C)   At a September 18 meeting with MUC official Mehdi 
al-Qubaisi, PolOff stressed the importance of a clearer, 
unambiguous MUC condemnation of Zarqawi's statement and 
recent terrorism.  Qubaisi made a distinction between 
foreign terrorism and Iraqi resistance to occupation. 
PolOff replied there is only one type of terrorism, and we 
should work together to improve the living situation of all 
Iraqis.  Qubaisi ducked the issue, by repeating calls for 
U.S. assistance to ensure fair elections and improved 
security for Sunni Arabs in the wake of (alleged) Interior 
Ministry human rights violations.  PolOff outlined the USG 
effort to support the political process, human rights and 
democratization in Iraq. 
 
4. (C) Qubaisi predicted that the overwhelming majority of 
Sunni Arabs will vote "no' in the October 15 referendum 
out of opposition to federalism. PolOff explained that the 
constitution leaves wide room for the next National 
Assembly to shape the implementation of federalism, and 
that the new Constitution provides the best means for Iraqi 
Sunni Arabs to participate in their country's political 
process. 
 
SADRISTS CRITICIZE SUNNI SILENCE 
-------------------------------- 
 
5. (C)   At a Friday, September 16 sermon Sayyd Hazim al- 
Araji (Shia) -- brother of Sadrist TNA member Baha al- 
Araji-- called on Sunni clerics to denounce Zarqawi, 
according to press reports. Press reports also indicate 
that Sadr-affiliated Ayatollah Kadhum al-Haeri issued a 
statement calling for Iraqi Shia to form "popular security 
committees" to protect themselves in the wake of Al- 
Zarqawi's announcement.  POL FSN living in the district 
(protect), reported seeing apparently armed Jaish-al-Mahdi 
Army members visible on Sadr City streets the morning of 
September 18. 
 
 
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Comment 
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6.  (C)  The call by Sadr movement clerics for popular 
security forces would serve as an easy justification for 
Shia hard-liners to deploy militias on the streets in Shia 
or mixed neighborhoods.  Zarqawi doubtless knows this.  We 
are urging all our contacts to reduce tensions, and 
reminding them that militias do not reduce tensions. 
Satterfield