US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4342

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004342 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PINS, PNAT, PHUM, PTER, IZ, Sunni Arab, Elections 
SUBJECT: IECI-SUNNI ARAB OUTREACH MEETINGS A SUCCESS 
 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford for reasons 
1.4(b) and (d) 
 
1. (U) PolOffs organized trips during September and October 
to bring IECI commissioners to meetings in Ramadi, 
Fallujah, Tikrit, Kirkuk, and Mosul with local officials 
and notables.   Typically, one or two IECI commissioners 
met at each location with provincial council 
representatives, mayors, police chiefs, Sunni Arab 
political parties, local IECI officials, imams, sheikhs, 
university professors, and other leaders.  The meetings 
were well attended, and local feedback was generally 
positive.  The most common complaint was the lack of prior 
meetings, with a request that there should be more before 
December 15. 
 
2. (U) Main topics discussed included the provisions in the 
new electoral law, polling center locations and security, 
the process for counting ballots, and proposed changes to 
IECI hiring practices to reflect ethnic representation of 
their management.  Local leaders often questioned the 
method of allocating National Assembly seats and argued 
they deserve more given their population.  The IECI 
commissioners reinforced their commitment to conduct a 
credible electoral process, and to ensure broad Sunni-Arab 
participation in the October 15 referendum and December 
election.  They also asked for local help to report any 
legitimate, eyewitness accounts of ballot tampering or 
intimidation. 
 
3. (C) Given the success of these meetings, post plans to 
continue this program in the run-up to the December 15 
elections.  The subject matter will be expanded to include 
topics relative to the election process.  We are also 
considering adding an NGO representative who would be able 
to address issues related to political party participation 
for the elections. 
 
4. (C) Comment: The visits provided a good opportunity to 
reduce distrust among Sunni Arabs toward the IECI 
commissioners.  We do not pretend that we have banished all 
suspicions; Sunni Arab reaction to the delay in the 
referendum result demonstrates that IECI procedures are not 
well understood.  Our goal now is to ensure that these 
visit are the start, and not the end, of outreach 
throughout Iraq. PolOffs are discussing next steps with all 
REOs and SETs. End comment. 
Satterfield