US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4124

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004124 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, IZ, Parliament, UN 
SUBJECT: TNA REVERSES DEFINITION OF "VOTER" 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 4109 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford, for reasons 1.4 (b) and 
 (d). 
 
1. (SBU) On October 5, 119 TNA members voted to pass a 
measure that clarifies the Arabic term "nakhabeen" (i.e., 
voter) in the TAL to mean "those who cast their vote".  28 
members abstained.  This decision overturns the October 2 
resolution that defined the term to mean "registered voter" 
in a move criticized by the international community and Sunni 
Arabs for illegitimately stacking the deck in favor of 
passing the constitution in the October 15 referendum. 
 
2. (SBU) Deputy Speaker Shahrastani introduced the October 5 
measure by saying it was necessary to meet UN international 
standards and that he expected the ITG and IECI to provide 
increased security measures in return. Shahrastani cited a UN 
letter indicating the TNA needed to have one definition of 
the word "voter" in order to meet international standards of 
integrity and transparency. 
 
3. (SBU) Shahrastani said he supported the principals of 
integrity and transparency, but had asked the ITG and IECI to 
respond to three key concerns in return for approval of the 
amendment. These concerns (reftel) related to security at 
specific sites, making adjustments to oversight of polling in 
certain areas, and credibly addressing any voter complaints 
raised after the referendum. 
 
 
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COMMENT 
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4. (C)  Shahristani's public statement signaled a clear 
sensitivity to the opinion of the UN and the international 
community.  The quick turnaround shows the value of the UN 
making points publicly while we work behind the scenes. 
However, the TNA's effort to create a linkage between the 
definition of "voter" and security needs of Shia and Kurdish 
voters suggests troubling readiness to exploit the threat 
from Sunni Arab extremists politically.  We will continue to 
emphasize our readiness to work with the TNA members on their 
security concerns, while stressing that such concerns must 
not provide the excuse for departure from international 
democratic standards. 
Khalilzad