Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN8169
2003-12-15 10:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

WASHINGTON BASED IRAQI DIPLOMATS STRESS IMPROVED

Tags:  PREL PGOV IZ JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

151039Z Dec 03
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008169 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: WASHINGTON BASED IRAQI DIPLOMATS STRESS IMPROVED
SECURITY AS KEY TO IRAQI STABILITY


Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

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SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008169

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: WASHINGTON BASED IRAQI DIPLOMATS STRESS IMPROVED
SECURITY AS KEY TO IRAQI STABILITY


Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) PolOff met December 8 with two Washington bound Iraqi
diplomats assigned to the Iraqi Interests Section. Both
cited the critical need for improved security in Iraq to gain
popular support for the U.S. presence. The diplomats said
many Iraqis resent Jordan's support for Saddam and believe
Jordan profited unfairly from the relationship. End Summary.

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HARDSHIPS AND HOPE
--------------


2. (C) PolOff met December 8 with two Iraqi diplomats, Faiz
Al-Gailani and Faris Abdul Wahab, transiting through Jordan
on their way to their posts at the Iraqi Interests Section in
Washington, D.C. PolOff queried the men about daily life in
Baghdad and how average Iraqis are coping. Al-Gailani
answered that while there exists a semblance of "normalcy" in
Baghdad, evidenced by shops remaining open until 10:30 p.m.
and people going about their daily business, most Iraqis try
to be home before darkness falls as a precautionary measure.
He added that electricity service, although improved,
continues to be cut throughout the day. According to
Al-Gailani, everyone leaves their lights on, even during the
day, since electricity continues to be free until the CPA
decides on a viable billing system. Al-Gailani and Wahab
both stated that gasoline continues to be in short supply due
to pipeline sabotage and, allegedly, Iraqi tankers driving to
the Syrian and Turkish borders to sell their supplies at
substantial profits.

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SECURITY, SECURITY, SECURITY
--------------


3. (C) Al-Gailani stressed that until the security situation
is stabilized, Iraqis will continue to feel lukewarm about
the U.S. presence. He added that average Iraqis often say
they prefer security over an improved financial situation.
"What good is money if you can't venture out and enjoy it?"
Al-Gailani believes that Saddam loyalists are not directly
responsible for all of the attacks against coalition forces,
but opined that they are paying Iraqis to carry out such
attacks and added that each type of attack carries a

corresponding price. For example, a bombing attack will cost
one price, while a shooting will carry a different price tag.

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MORE POLICE VISIBILITY NEEDED
--------------


4. (C) Al-Gailani praised the visibility of Iraqi police,
especially at night, but added that more are needed. He
suggested an increased police presence outside the major
cities. He underscored that Iraq is not in a "normal"
situation and thus the police must be better armed and drive
armored vehicles. Al-Gailani stressed that the CPA should
make the establishment of a sophisticated intelligence
service a top priority, yet cautioned that the CPA would
never be able to do the job as well as the Iraqis themselves.
He said the intelligence service must draw on the expertise
and knowledge held by Iraqi political parties since they are
familiar with Saddam's operatives and henchmen.

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TRIBES CAN HELP WITH SECURITY
--------------


5. (C) Al-Gailani stressed that Iraq's tribes can play a
significant role in aiding the CPA on security issues. He
added that Saddam "retribalized" Iraqi society during his
reign as a way of exerting more control over them. However,
he cautioned, tribes should never be above the law or allowed
to gain a foothold in the new Iraq.

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IRAQI MEDIA NEEDS UPGRADING
--------------


6. (C) Both Al-Gailani and Abdul Wahab criticized the poor
state of Iraqi media and deplored how Saudi-owned satellite
t.v. Al Arabiya only focuses on the negative aspects in Iraq
while ignoring anything of a positive nature. They accused
Al Arabiya of paying Iraqi children to shout anti-U.S.
slogans when the cameras are on as well as the way the
station cuts any interview in which an Iraqi praises the U.S.
presence in Iraq.

--------------
ELECTIONS, MONARCHY and IRAQ-JORDAN RELATIONS
--------------


7. (C) Al-Gailani believes that holding elections without
security would be a disaster and opined that if Iraqis do not
feel secure, they will not participate in nationwide
elections. Al-Gailani said that a monarchy has no place in
Iraq and that it would be a step backward. When queried
about Iraq-Jordan relations, he responded that Iraqis are
well aware of how Jordan profited from the Saddam regime, at
their expense. He said Iraqis remember the inferiority of
Jordanian products such as medicines and household goods. He
believes the onus is on Jordan to work on improving
relations. Iraqis are tired of wars and animosity,
Al-Gailani said, and hope for a new beginning and future with
their Arab neighbors. Both men agreed that educated Iraqis
feel hopeful for the first time about their futures and
believe that a silent majority hopes that U.S. forces will
remain until Iraqis are able to govern themselves.



8. (C) BIOS:

FAIZ AL-GAILANI
DOB: 1945
Iraqi diplomat based in Washington, D.C.
Position: Head of the Consular Section
Married
Spouse:Gulala Baban
Daughter:Farah Gailani
Son:Faraj Gailani
Excellent English skills

FARIS ABDUL WAHAB
DOB: 01/19/1954
Iraqi diplomat based in Washington, D.C.
Position: Finance Attache
Married
Spouse:Thekra Samir Naji
Son:Aows Faris Abd-al Rahman
Son:Ahmed Faris Abd-al Rahman
Good English skills



9. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM