US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4428

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004428 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, IZ, Dawa Party, Elections 
SUBJECT: BAGHDAD PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN CHANGES 
PARTIES, LEAVES COUNCIL FOR ATTEMPT AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 
1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) Mazin Makia, Chairman of the Baghdad Provincial 
Council (BPC) has left the Da'wa Party and joined the 
National Democratic Alliance Party (NDAP).  Makia has been 
the BPC Chairman since the formation of the council and 
also serves as Provincial Reconstruction and Development 
Committee (PRDC) Chairman.  Mazin is changing parties in 
pursuit of a seat in the next National Assembly. 
 
2. (C) Mazin, a Shia, told PolOff he changed parties after 
deciding to seek election to the National Assembly in 
December. He told PolOff he was thankful for his past 
relationship with Da'wa but it was time to move to a party 
that better represented his viewpoint. Mazin said the NDAP 
represents a coalition of parties and beliefs.  However, 
Mazin also admitted he was lured to the new party by the 
offer of the number two position behind the party chairman. 
Chairman of the NDAP is Abid Faisel Al-Sehalny, a secular 
Shia and member of the National Assembly. 
 
3. (C) Mazin is running for the National Assembly with 
hopes of winning a seat from Baghdad.  He would like to 
become a member of any committee that deals with issues 
that impact provincial governments.  He feels his 
experience in local government and understanding of 
provincial politics will allow him better represent the 
people of Baghdad and of the nation. 
 
4. (C) If elected, his departure from the BPC will create 
an immediate opening in the chairmanship of BPC and PRDC. 
Mazin feels there are several qualified individuals to 
assume his positions on the BPC but refused to speculate on 
whom the council may choose.  He said his exit would have 
little impact on the performance of the BPC.  Mazin said 
the council would be in good hands because of the quality 
of people serving in the organization.  However, he also 
stated that should he lose election to the assembly he 
would still maintain his seat on the BPC, just not as a 
member of the Da'wa Party. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT:  Mazin's defection from the Da'wa Party is 
a blow to the party's prestige and influence in local 
Baghdad politics.  He has provided steady direction on the 
BPC during his tenure and a calming influence and counter- 
weight to the brash, harsh demeanor of the governor.  His 
easy accessibility has been an asset in developing strong 
relations between the council and coalition forces.  His 
departure will leave a void in local Baghdad politics but, 
if elected, would provide a capable new member to the next 
assembly.  END COMMENT. 
Satterfield