Cablegate: Media Reaction: Iraqi Government, December 15th
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
261637Z Dec 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 005125
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 15th
ELECTION, TRANSPARENCY; BAGHDAD
SUMMARY: The major themes in today's editorials were Iraq's
parliamentary elections and the formation of the forthcoming
government.
Independent Az-Zaman published a second-page column entitled
"The National Assembly, Government and the End of Service,"
in which the author criticizes government performance and
decision-making. The editorial argues that security and
basic services have deteriorated during the current
government's term in office. In contrast, the SCIRI-
affiliated Al-Adala published a third-page editorial
entitled "Economic Success," which focuses on the economic
accomplishments of the current government and praises the
role of Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi for taking the lead
in canceling most of Iraq's debts when he served as Finance
Minister under Allawi's government.
Independent Al-Mashriq published a back-page editorial
entitled "Voice.Action and a Man Worried about Iraq," in
which the author contends that it is better for Iraq at the
current stage to be led by moderate politicians.
Independent Democratic Al-Wifaq published a front-page
editorial entitled "Can the Next Government Adopt an Iraqi
National Program?" The article highlights the Iraqi
elections and current political developments in the country,
discussing the formation of the new parliament and the
political conflicts likely to emerge. END SUMMARY.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A. "Our Attitude Regarding Election Results" (At-Taakhi,
12/26)
B. "Ali Baba's Cave" (Al-Fourat, 12/26)
C. "The Language of Blood" (Al-Bayyan, 12/26)
D. "A Good Lesson" (Rayat Al-Arab, 12/26)
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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. "Our Attitude Regarding Election Results"
(At-Taakhi, affiliated with the KDP, led by Masood Al-
Barzani, published a front-page editorial by editor in chief
Dr. Badr Khan Al-Sindi about the Kurdish perspective
regarding preliminary election results. The editorial reads
in part)
"The Kurdish attitude has always been sensible and very
determined to make the electoral process successful. The
Kurdish attitude proved again to be moderate and capable of
correcting mistakes. The Kurdish opinion concerning
establishing a [broad-based] national unity government
represents the best solution for the new Iraq."
B. "Ali Baba's Cave"
(Al-Fourat, independent, anti-coalition, published a back-
page editorial by Dawoud Al-Farhan about U.S. Vice President
Dick Cheney's recent visit to Iraq. The editorial reads in
part)
"Like the thieves who sneaked into Ali Baba's cave, U.S.
Vice President Dick Cheney paid a surprise visit to Iraq.
Moreover, the Iraqi president and prime minister were sent
to a meeting with the U.S. ambassador; they were surprised
to see Cheney sitting in the meeting room. Iraq is the only
country that does not know who will be visiting in advance.
Unfortunately, Iraqis were unable to welcome Cheney because
they found out about it after he had left the country. I
think Cheney should have visited the cities of Tal Afar,
Fallujah, Qaim and Ramadi to see what the U.S. forces did.
Additionally, he should see how Iraqi human rights have
prospered under the `American Liberation.'"
C. "The Language of Blood"
(Al-Bayyan, affiliated with the Islamic Ad-Dawa Party, led
by Al-Ja'fari, published a fifth-page editorial by Salim
Rasoul about election complaints. The editorial reads in
part)
"Some political entities think that they deserve
more.regarding [parliamentary] seats. For this reason, they
submitted complaints to the IECI. But it is important to
remember that nobody has the authority to interfere with the
IECI's work. Those complaints used the language of blood.
This should be rejected because it is at odds with the
principles of good citizenry. We heard some Iraqi
politicians threaten to shed blood if their demands were not
implemented. In fact, the election was considered honest
according to the United Nations' representatives. Those
representatives said that the number of complaints submitted
to the IECI do not justify repeating the election. It seems
that there are still groups that believe in the culture of
the Ba'th Party, which marginalized and eliminated
opponents."
D. "A Good Lesson"
(Rayat Al-Arab, affiliated with the Arab Nationalist Trend
in Iraq, published a front-page unattributed editorial about
the election. The editorial reads in part)
"The preliminary results of the election shocked most of the
electoral lists, except the UIA and the Kurdish Coalition,
both of which knew how to win the election. Those two
entities control the security in the country and they both
have armed militias. In addition, they have the capabilities
to intimidate and deceive voters. Those who have been
shocked by the results of the election must learn an
important lesson. We believe that the electoral process and
its mistakes are a useful experiment from which to learn.
But is it a good time to learn from these lessons? Do we
have to use more time, which will result in more sacrifices
and more blood so that we can be awakened? The answer to
this question will emerge in the forthcoming days."
KHALILZAD