This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 005154 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2015 
TAGS: PNAT PGOV KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES IECI TO ADDRESS CREDIBILITY 
ISSUES 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 05131 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  In a December 28 meeting with eight 
commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq 
(IECI), the Ambassador urged the IECI to consider how best to 
address complaints about the credibility of the election 
results.  The Ambassador suggested the Commission welcome 
outside observers such as the International Mission for Iraqi 
Elections (IMIE) to play a more active role as the IECI 
continues to sift through and investigate complaints.  He 
encouraged them to move quickly, making an announcement about 
outside observers as soon as possible.  The commissioners 
generally responded positively to this advice, but noted that 
the IECI's process to date has been credible and has been 
deemed to be "fair, transparent, and up to international 
standards" by both the UN team and international observer 
groups.  In the IECI press conference later on December 28, 
Commissioner Hindawi invited international accredited 
organizations to come to Iraq and observe IECI's processing 
of electoral complaints.  He also invited political entities 
to participate in the same endeavor.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) On December 28, the Ambassador met with all the IECI 
commissioners present in Baghdad (Chairman Izadin 
al-Mohammady is currently in Jordan undergoing a heart 
operation).  During the meeting, the Ambassador congratulated 
the commissioners for the IECI's hard work on the elections. 
He then emphasized the importance of the IECI's hard work not 
being undermined by political party posturing.  To address 
these credibility issues, he suggested the IECI publicly 
welcome involvement from an international group, particularly 
IMIE. 
 
¶3. (C) The commissioners were generally receptive to the idea 
that outside international monitors observe the IECI's 
complaint and audit investigations.  Commissioner Safwat 
Sidqi said the IECI has always been open to observers and 
will continue to welcome such groups, especially previously 
planned IMIE additions coming within the next days. 
 
¶4. (C) Commissioner Farid Ayar and International Commissioner 
Craig Jenness tempered these statements.  Jenness cautioned 
against creating an impression that this international group 
(IMIE) be considered an "inspection" group, hence hinging 
public buy-in and certification of the election results on 
the production of IMIE's report.  The international group 
should review the process but not become part of the process 
itself, he advised.  Ayar was also cautious and noted that 
the IECI did not need "outside" experts to affirm the 
credibility of the election.  He said this type of effort 
would cause extra work and time for the Commission. 
 
¶5. (C) Commissioners Abdulhussein Hindawi, Hamdia al-Hussaini 
and Craig Jenness stressed that the IECI conducted a credible 
and fair election, as reported by both the UN and observer 
groups such as IMIE.  They all expressed dissatisfaction with 
political party efforts to pressure the IECI and vowed they 
would not respond.  Commissioner Hindawi noted that 
complaints were coming from parties disappointed in the 
election results.  Commissioner al-Hussaini agreed, saying 
that political party attacks on the IECI only began once vote 
counts were announced and political parties found themselves 
to be "losing". 
 
¶6. (C) The Ambassador highlighted the importance of building 
acceptance of the elections to the widest degree possible and 
noted that an international observer group would enhance this 
acceptance.  The commissioners appeared to accept this 
advice, although they also agreed it should be "organized by 
the UN".  Commissioner al-Hussaini suggested also inviting 
the political parties that are complaining to form a 
committee and take part in the observation of IECI complaint 
adjudication. 
 
¶7. (C) In their press conference later on December 28, 
Commissioner Hindawi invited international accredited 
organizations to come to Iraq and observe IECI's processing 
of electoral complaints.  He also invited political entities 
to participate in the same endeavor. 
KHALILZAD