GOVERNOR IN TROUBLE-RIDDEN ANBAR PROVINCE HELD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000356


E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/3/2024
TAGS: PINS PGOV KISL IZ
SUBJECT: GOVERNOR IN TROUBLE-RIDDEN ANBAR PROVINCE HELD
HOSTAGE

(U) Classified by POL Counselor Robert Ford for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The Governor of Anbar Province, perhaps
the most violence-plagued part of Iraq, feels isolated and
trapped in his office while he tries to secure the release
of his three kidnapped sons. The Governor doubts he can
trust either the police chief or the Iraqi National Guard
Commander in Anbar. The Governor has talked of resigning
as part of a bargain to gain his sons' release, but he told
the Interior Minister that he will stay. Even if he does,
the credibility of Iraqi security forces in Anbar has taken
a hit. End Summary.


2. (C) Anbar Provincial Governor Burgis' three eldest sons
were kidnapped on the night of July 28. Iraqi police
guarding the Governor's residence were either ineffectual
in defending the Governor's family or complicit in the
commission of the crime. Iraqi police and other security
forces have since claimed they have no evidence to follow,
according to the State Department liaison officer embedded
with military forces in Ramadi.


3. (C) In the days since the kidnapping, Burgis seems to
be in touch with the kidnappers, who appear to be linked
terrorist groups, and will meet their demands for his sons'
release. An aide to the Governor said that the motive for
the kidnapping appears to be forcing the Governor's
resignation. This aide also claims that the Governor and
he both believe the Police Chief and the Iraqi National
Guard Commander are complicit in the kidnapping. Burgis
has met with US military personnel and the Ramadi State
Department liaison officer, but has shared little
information concerning the whereabouts and identity of the
kidnappers. Burgis even went so far as to ask the Marine
Commanding General for help on paying the ransom, according
to the liaison officer.


4. (C) In the midst of this, the Governor has basically
stopped work. Since there is no Deputy Governor in Anbar,
the functions of the Governor's post are not being
fulfilled.


5. (C) On August 1, ADCM and PolCouns met with Deputy
Prime Minister Salih to urge the interim Government to
respond quickly. Salih said the Interior Minister would
visit Anbar on August 2. He acknowledged that the
Government might need to find a new Governor, but no
candidate immediately came to mind. He also cautioned that
the Governorate Council would probably have to elect the
new governor. PolCouns asked if the IIG could invoke the
new state security law to enable the IIG to make the
appointment of a governor. Salih responded that it would
be very difficult to utilize the law in Anbar now.
According to the DPM, the IIG had not prepared public
opinion for such a step.


6. (C) On the evening of August 2, Minister of Interior
Felah Naqib arrived in Ramadi and met the Governor. Naqib
urged Anbar officials to send a delegation to Baghdad on
Saturday, August 7 to discuss the situation further.
Deputy PM Salih told A/DCM on August 2 that Governor Burgis
told the Interior Minister Naqib that he will not resign.


7. (C) On August 3, the Ramadi liaison officer reported
that the Anbar Provincial Council Vice=President told him
on August 2 that a Sheikh Nassir of the Fahdawi tribe has
proposed new candidates for the governor and empty
provincial council slots. The names proposed allegedly all
are from the Fahdawi tribe (to which the local Iraqi
National Guard commander also belongs) and the al-Wani
tribe (to which the Police Chief belongs).

8.(C) Comment: Anbar has a difficult security environment
and now its local government is in a state of crisis, with
the Governor unable to trust those around him and unable to
function. Although Burgis told Interior Minister Naqib
that he will hang on, our sense is that he is looking for a
way out of Ramadi in any case (On July 23, Burgis already
told visiting Polcouns that he wanted to quit). Even if
the Anbar Governor stays, his ability to function is at
question amidst the antagonism he confronts with some of
the tribes. The credibility of the Iraqi security forces
in Anbar also is in question. End Comment.


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