MOST ARAB EMBASSIES CONDEMN ATTACKS ON FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002838

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IZ
SUBJECT: MOST ARAB EMBASSIES CONDEMN ATTACKS ON FOREIGN
DIPLOMATS, PLAN TO REMAIN IN IRAQ

Classified By: Charge d' Affaires David M. Satterfield for reasons 1.4
(b)
and (d)


1. (C/NF) SUMMARY. Contacts at a number of foreign missions
in Baghdad condemn the recent spate of kidnappings and
assassination attempts against Arab diplomats in Baghdad.
They believe these actions are likely part of the
insurgency's and Al-Qaeda's campaign to undermine the Iraqi
government and intimidate other foreign missions in Iraq.
Some foreign officials believe Iraq security adequately
protects them; others claim the quality of protection is
inadequate. None, however, plan to close down. The UAE
ambassador believes these recent incidents signal the
desperation of the insurgency following recent security
initiatives against them. END SUMMARY.


2. (C/NF) Contacts at a number of foreign missions in
Baghdad have all condemned the rash of kidnappings and
assassination attempts against Arab diplomats in Baghdad.
The Syrian Embassy refused to comment, however. Some
embassies think these actions are part of the insurgency's
and Al-Qaeda's campaign to discredit the Iraqi government and
force the closure of Arab embassies in Iraq. According to an
AP web report, Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the
July 2 kidnapping of Egyptian Charge, Ambassador Ihab al
Sherif. However, to date no entity has claimed ownership of
the July 5 attacks on Bahraini Charge Hasan al-Ansari and
Pakistani Ambassador Yunis Khan. A summary of reactions from
the Bahraini, Pakistani, Lebanese, Lebanese, United Arab
Emirates, Syrian, and Tunisian embassies follows:

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Bahraini Embassy - Attack was Deliberate
--------------


3. (C) Ambassador Hasan told us from his hospital bed July 6
that he was on his way from his home to the Embassy, located
down the street from his residence, when two vehicles
approached him. The occupants of one vehicle opened fire on
his vehicle with a round of at least ten bullets. He ducked
to avoid the fire, but one bullet struck him in his right
upper arm. Ambassador Hasan said the car was "filled with
blood" from the wound. He made his way to the police station
nearby; the police took him to the Iraqi hospital for
emergency care. Ambassador Hasan is certain this was a
well-planned assassination attempt on his life, noting
surveillance of his residence the day before and the lack of
police who usually guarded the street the day of the
incident. He will be medivaced within a few days to Bahrain
or Amman. Hasan was uncertain what plans the Bahraini
government has for his mission in Baghdad.

-------------- ---
Pakistani Embassy Makes Do with Private Security
-------------- ---


4. (C) Irfan Shawkat, Third Secretary at the Embassy of
Pakistan in Baghdad, told PolOff July 6 that the Pakistani
Ambassador has a private security company protecting him. In
addition, Iraqi security forces (ISF) are providing some
support to protect the embassy itself, but not the diplomats.


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Lebanese Comments
-------------- --------------


5. (C) Lebanese DCM Hasan Hijazi, who has been in Iraq since
2001, strongly condemned the recent attack on the Bahraini
and Pakistani Ambassadors. He also wished for the Egyptian
Ambassador's prompt release and safe return to his family.
Hijazi said the purpose behind these attacks and kidnappings
is to undermine the new government and to intimidate other
diplomatic missions in Iraq. When asked to describe the
current situation, Hijazi said, "Very dangerous; everyone is
afraid to venture into the 'Red Zone' these days." Hijazi
has halted all "Red Zone" moves and is not leaving his
embassy. Hijazi added that his embassy has its own security
and the Iraqi government has provided additional security
personnel.


6. (C) To Hijazi, Iraqi security was not adequately
qualified, however. "Quality not quantity is what matters
when the insurgents are attacking with heavy arms and
personnel," opined Hijazi. Asked what plans the Lebanese
Embassy has if the security situation worsens, he replied
they have no plans to close the embassy, that the matter
required further discussion in Beirut and other Arab nations
capitals.

--------------
Syrian Embassy Has No Comment
--------------


7. (C) A Syrian Embassy employee who answered the MCI phone
registered to a Abdul Hakeem Sy Ali was reluctant to discuss
the incidents, replying that the Syrian Embassy has no oral
or written comment on the events. He then promptly hung up.


-------------- ---
UAE Embassy Believes Al-Qaeda Behind the Actions
-------------- ---


8. (C) United Arab Emirates: Ambassador Ali Alkabi told
PolOff July 6 that these attacks are normal in a war zone.
He believes al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in Iraq are
behind these acts. However, Alkabi attributed the kidnapping
of the Egyptian ambassador and the assassination attempt on
the Bahraini ambassador to their own security negligence.
Alkabi noted that the Egyptian and Bahraini diplomats
constantly travel into the "Red Zone" without appropriate
security personnel or protection, which makes them easy
targets. He added that increased attacks on the diplomatic
missions are "to pressure their relationships with the Iraqi
government."


9. (C) Alkabi said the UAE has improved its embassy's
security measures and they have had no problems with the
Iraqi army or Iraqi security forces. Alkabi noted that other
missions should be more careful, avoid unnecessary travel,
cooperate and coordinate with the Iraqi army and security
forces. The Ambassador said he has no plans to reduce his
embassy staff at the moment. Alkabi opined that, in general,
the security situation in Iraq has improved significantly.
Due to the recent Sword and Lightening operations, terrorist
now feel more desperate and pressured.


10. (C) Tunisia: PolOff spoke with the Embassy's Advisor for
Consular Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Kahlool, who has been living
in Iraq for seven years. He said he is accustomed to the
current situation and this is "very normal" in Iraq. He
suggested that the main question terrorists are targeting
only heads of missions instead of the employees is because
they are pressuring Arab missions to stop supporting the
Iraqi government and it fails. Kahlool added that the
Bahraini and the Egyptians were easy targets. As for the
Tunisian Embassy, he said the Ministry of Interior provides
adequate security protection. That said, diplomats have
reduced their movements and staff are limited only to
necessary moves. The embassy has no plans to reduce its
staff, he said.


11. (U) REO HILLA, REO BASRA, REO MOSUL, and REO KIRKUK,
minimize considered.
Satterfield