IIG SUGGESTS IRAQI GUARDS FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000963


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/14

TAGS: KJUS PREL PTER PHUM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: IIG SUGGESTS IRAQI GUARDS FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN

Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission James Jeffrey for
Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) SUMMARY. Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Barham
Salih has suggested introducing Iraqi personnel to the
inner circle of guards watching over Saddam Hussein. The
DPM proposed the switch in security personnel in the
context of his broader expressed interest in destabilizing
the temperament of the former Iraqi leader prior to trial.
Deputy Commanding General for Detainee Operations Major
General Geoffrey Miller expressed skepticism privately as
to the advisability of this approach. END SUMMARY.


2. (S) At a September 13 meeting attended by Deputy Prime
Minister (DPM) Barham Salih, Deputy Commanding General for
Detainee Operations Major General Geoffrey Miller, Greg
Kehoe of the Regime Crimes Liaison Office, and PolMilOff,
DPM Salih noted that current MultiNational Force-Iraq (MNF-
I) detention practices pertaining to Saddam Hussein were
designed to "keep [Hussein] in a stable condition," and
expressed his concern that keeping Saddam "too stable" was
"not a good idea."


3. (S) The DPM noted that, when he visited Saddam in his
prison cell at Camp Cropper the previous week, Saddam
appeared to react with anger to the presence of Iraqis in
the prison and that, "from his hands," one could see that
Saddam was "controlling himself in rage." The DPM said
that he and Prime Minister Allawi agreed that changing
Saddam's inner circle of guards (presently staffed by MNF-
I) to an all-Iraqi guard might provoke a useful reaction
from Saddam and proposed that he identify ten "highly
professional" Iraqi candidates for these positions.


4. (S) MG Miller said he thought MNF-I and the IIG "could
do this" and agreed that selecting "the right kind" of
guards would, in this instance, be crucial. He pointed out
that Saddam was a "frustrating" person with whom to deal,
being a "very angry" and "fragile" man, and that any guard
force, MNF-I or Iraqi, should follow current procedures
regarding regular duty rotations and a no-weapons policy
for the innermost circle of guards.


5. (S) The DPM also expressed the opinion that Saddam
should be brought to trial in a prison uniform or jumpsuit.
When it was noted that it is usual practice in Iraqi courts
for defendants to appear in dress suits, usually brought to
jailed defendants by their families prior to trial, the DPM
conceded the point and agreed that standard procedure
should be followed.


6. (S) MG Miller remarked that, based on prior experience,
the application of handcuffs on the day of the trial was in
itself likely to destabilize Saddam. He also stated that
it was important that the court scene "appear professional"
and stressed that, contrary to the DPM's concerns, he
believed it would be difficult to prevent Saddam from
becoming "too agitated" as his trial date approached.


7. (S) After the meeting, MG Miller privately expressed
the opinion that MNF-I and IIG strategy should instead
focus on maintaining Saddam at maximum mental stability for
trial. He agreed that some Iraqi participation in guard
duty was possible but suggested that this would be better
introduced on a more limited level, perhaps with one Iraqi
guard paired with an MNF-I guard in two-man teams. No
additional visits by IIG officials to Saddam in prison are
scheduled until after Saddam's expected recovery from
upcoming hernia surgery in October, which will be performed
at Ibn Sina hospital inside the International Zone on
September 17.


NEGROPONTE