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.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 005053

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 theme of today's editorials was
Thursday's parliamentary election.

Analysis: The majority of the day's editorials continued,
for the second day running, addressing the success of
Thursday's election. Quasi-independent daily As-Sabah
highlighted the importance of establishing the Council of
Representatives as soon as possible while independent Az-
Zaman focused on how the election successfully unified all
components of Iraqi society. Other editorials, such as the
one that appeared in Democratic Al-Wifaq criticized the
political and electoral process, arguing that honest
elections cannot be held under the presence of U.S.
occupation. SCIRI affiliated Al-Adala's editorial dealt with
the preliminary results of the elections showing that the
UIA has won according to it own projections. END SUMMARY.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
-------------------------------

A. We Want a Strong Government and a Balanced Harmony"
(Baghdad, 12/19)
B. "Results" (Al-Adala, 12/19)
C. "Nobody Can Laugh at the Iraqi People Anymore" (Az-Zaman,
12/19)
D. "Democracy. Yes, But It's Terrible" (Democratic Al-Wifaq,
12/19)
E. "Fraud and the Democracy of the Elections" (As-Siyada,
12/19)
F. "Reminder" (As-Sabah, 12/19)
G. "Do Not Spoil Our Happiness" (Ad-Dustoor, 12/19)

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SELECTED COMMENTARIES
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A. We Want a Strong Government and a Balanced Harmony"
(Baghdad, affiliated with the INA, led by Iyad Allawi,
published a front-page unattributed editorial about the
Iraqi election and the irregularities that coincided with
the election. In part, the editorial reads)

"The Iraqi National List participated in the election to
establish a strong, national unity government that includes
all segments of Iraqi society. This government must also be
able to achieve political and social harmony; this harmony
will attain social justice and balance. The Iraqi people are
looking forward to forming a government that is able to save
them from their difficult suffering. Concerning
deba'athification, Dr. Iyad Allawi has asserted that this
law must not be a tool for punishing both innocent and
guilty people. This is exactly what our list is aiming to
establish. However, members of our list have been targeted
and some of them were martyred. In addition, pictures of our
candidates were ripped down in Baghdad and other provinces.
These violations must not be ignored and we must inform the
relevant authorities so that the electoral process will not
be rigged, lest the future of Iraq be in danger."

B. "Results"
(Al-Adala, affiliated with SCIRI, published a third-page
editorial by Dr. Ali Khalif about the preliminary results of
the elections, which indicate that the UIA won most of the
votes. In part, the editorial reads)

"The preliminary results of the elections were neither
expectations nor surprises; rather, they are facts. There is
an overwhelming majority in Iraq and this majority supports
a specific entity and we know that it is impossible for all
entities to have the same popularity. The UIA is afraid that
there may be vote tampering. If vote counting is
transparent, the UIA will win more votes than in the
previous election."

C. "Nobody Can Laugh at the Iraqi People Anymore"
(Az-Zaman, independent, published a front-page unattributed
editorial about the success of the Iraqi elections. In part,
the editorial reads)

"The success of the elections shows that the Iraqi people
have deep roots in civilization and history. Perhaps after
the election the Iraqi people will be able to end terrorism.
The Iraqi people practice democracy by expressing their
opinions or through peaceful demonstrations. We recently saw
demonstrations in the city of Kut against the government's
decision to raise fuel prices. It seems that Iraqi
politicians are benefiting at the expense of the hungry,
deprived and wounded. However, the elections have proven
that the Iraqi people will say to their politicians, `beware
of stealing the votes of the people because it's the people,
not politicians who are owners of the real power.' Thus,
those who seek legitimacy must satisfy the people's will."

D. "Democracy. Yes, But It's Terrible"
(Democratic Al-Wifaq, independent, weekly, anti-coalition,
published this front-page editorial by Editor-in-Chief Salah
Omer Al-Ali about the Iraqi elections under U.S. occupation.
In part, the writer comments)

"Regardless of any negative viewpoints or irregularities
that might have occurred during the parliamentary elections,
these elections will determine the future of Iraq for the
coming four years. This period began with a forged
constitution and in any case, most political forces that
participated in the elections were supported by the
occupation. In brief, the political choices in Iraq have
changed but the main content and goal remains unchanged.
There is no independence, sovereignty, or stability under
occupation. The Iraqi national resistance will not stop
fighting and join the political game of the occupation. The
United States is depending upon the post election period
because it wants to reduce pressures on American forces
through obtaining legitimacy from an elected Iraqi
parliament and government."

E. "Fraud and the Democracy of the Elections"
(As-Siyada, affiliated with Iraqi Republican Assembly led by
Sa'ad Assem Al-Janabi published a second-page editorial
about the parliamentary elections and vote rigging. The
editorial remarks in part)

"The honeymoon period of the election has ended and we find
ourselves observing and worrying that this democratic
practice will be violated. Unfortunately, people did not
vote freely and instead chose specific electoral lists
because of threats and intimidation. In fact, we must put an
end to attempts to rig the real Iraqi willpower. We must put
an end to those who claim to speak on behalf of Iraqis while
in fact they are trading them. In this way, Iraq will be
able to live in peace and prosperity."

F. "Reminder"
(As-Sabah - Iraqi Media Network, government financed, pro-
coalition, published this front-page editorial by Editor-in-
Chief Muhammad Abdul Jabbar on the necessity to form the
next Council of Representatives as soon as possible. In part
the editorial reads)

"The parliamentary elections were a tremendous success.
However, we must remind ourselves of the mistakes of the
former election that was held on the 30th of January with
results announced a long period afterward. Moreover, the
National Assembly held its first session two months after
the election. In any case, the incoming Council of
Representatives has four years [in office] and this figure
may hint at laziness and numerous members being absent from
attending sessions. The next Council of Representatives will
have huge responsibilities. For this reason, it must be
convened quickly and it must also move rapidly. This council
must enforce laws promptly so that we will not repeat the
former mistakes and waste time."

G. "Do Not Spoil Our Happiness"
(Ad-Dustoor, independent, published a front-page editorial
by Editor-in-Chief Bassim Al-Sheikh about the elections and
recent exchange of accusations among political parties about
electoral fraud. The editorial reads in part)

"The Iraqi election on December 15 has been very successful.
However, we have noticed that the big electoral lists have
exchanged accusations about electoral fraud and the lack of
transparency. This will spoil our joy from the election. We
do not want to say that the election was entirely fair and
that there were no violations or vote rigging. But, if we
compare this election with other elections throughout the
world, we will see that our election was more developed and
honest than any other election in the world. It seems that
some of the political entities did not gain what they had
expected in terms of seats. But, we hope that these parties
will not push to ruin the political success that was
achieved thus far. We call on all political groups to let us
enjoy this happiness without any problems."

KHALILZAD

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