Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD3676
2005-09-07 18:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

NEW ELECTRICITY PROTECTION CHIEF TRYING TO CLEAN

Tags:  ECON ENRG ASEC PGOV PINR PINS PTER IZ 
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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 003676 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015
TAGS: ECON ENRG ASEC PGOV PINR PINS PTER IZ
SUBJECT: NEW ELECTRICITY PROTECTION CHIEF TRYING TO CLEAN
UP THE AGENCY

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DAVID SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b)
AND (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003676

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015
TAGS: ECON ENRG ASEC PGOV PINR PINS PTER IZ
SUBJECT: NEW ELECTRICITY PROTECTION CHIEF TRYING TO CLEAN
UP THE AGENCY

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DAVID SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b)
AND (d).


1. (C) Summary: MG Sa'ad Hashim, Security Advisor to the
Minister of Electricity, has begun working with MNF-I and
Embassy counterparts to bring the Electricity Protection
Security Service (EPSS) under ministerial control following
the removal of the former chief, Faris al-Bayati, August

22. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is investigating Faris
and a number of his supporters, at least three of whom are
known insurgents from Latifiyah. Faris has since fled and
his whereabouts are unknown. End Summary.

--------------
Faris Out - At Last
--------------


2. (C) Working closely with Ministry of Interior
investigators, Minister of Electricity (ME) Dr. Muhsin
Shalash on August 22 removed the head of the EPSS, Faris
al-Bayati. After being demoted (vice fired as reported in
the press) almost a month earlier, yet refusing to
relinquish his position, Faris reportedly left his
headquarters office outside the Baghdad South Power Station
for home. When ME Shalash arrived with his newly-appointed
security advisor MG Sa'ad Hashim to take overall control of
the EPSS, approximately 25 Faris loyalists began a
demonstration at EPSS HQ. The Minister left the premises
unharmed, and MoI forces were brought in to secure the safe
departure of MG Hashim. The ensuing scuffles resulted in
some minor property damage, but no injuries.


3. (C) ME Shalash told us that he had delayed moving
against Faris to allow MoI time to build a legal case. At
least three EPSS members were, according to ME sources, on
a list of known insurgents from Latifiyah wanted in
connection with terrorist attacks. ME sources claim that
Faris has now fled with several million dollars in Ministry
funds and is wanted by MoI for questioning. Reports that a
number of Faris supporters have been arrested remain
unconfirmed, but Faris allies in the EPSS remain vocal in
their criticism of their chief's removal. MG Hashim said
Faris has threatened him, making him fearful for his life
and that of his family. ME Shalash speculated that a
series of media attacks against him in August (accusing the
ME of, among other things, rape, and predicting his
imminent removal from office) had, in fact, been part of a
smear campaign orchestrated by Faris supporters. Shalash
said that he retained the full confidence of PM al-Ja'fari.

--------------
Imposing Order at EPSS
--------------


4. (C) Coalition Forces have begun meeting MG Hashim to
help him firm up the minister's control over the EPSS,
jointly developing an action plan to straighten out the
books, and to identify and locate EPSS forces. Although
there are as many as 10,000 EPSS guards listed in the
payroll, MG Hashim suspects the true number of his force is
closer to 3,000. He believes that the remaining
"employees" only exist on paper to bilk the Ministry, with
Faris and his supporters pocketing the cash.


5. (C) MNF-I advisors have offered to help document each
EPSS employee with a photo ID card, to include thumbprints
and retinal scan recognition capabilities. They will also
assist MG Hashim to assess EPSS training levels and to
conduct
a complete equipment inventory. MNF-I believes the EPSS
forces are an ad hoc mix with varying training and skill
levels that are not up to their assigned task of securing
high value targets such as power plants and substations.
MNF-I has developed a training package, currently under
consideration, to upgrade EPSS capabilities.
Satterfield