RAMADI REALITY GAP: SECURITY COUNCIL VS. MOD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 005028 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2015 TAGS: PGOV MASS IZ SUBJECT: RAMADI REALITY GAP: SECURITY COUNCIL VS. MOD Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Summary. This a SET Ramadi Cable. Minister of Defense Sadoun Dulaime addressed in strong terms the Anbar Security Council on December 12. Chastising Anbaris for allowing the province to serve as an 'incubator' of the insurgency, the minister deflected calls by the council to create a new Iraqi Army Division for Anbar. Council members reacted angrily to charges of supporting terrorism and continue to demand creating a new division to establish security in the troubled province. Building upon the common goal of utilizing local, vetted ISF recruits may produce a compromise in the coming weeks. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Background. Ramadi native and Minister of Defense Sadoun Dulaime addressed the Anbar Security Council on December 12. He was accompanied by MNF-I Commanding General Casey, 2nd Marine Division CG Huck, Assistant Division Commander Williams and Ramadi PolOff. A Department of State Press Surge team was also present for a portion of the meeting. The Council meeting was the fourth in a series of a renewed dialogue begun in November between CF and Anbari figures of influence. -------------- -------------- Why Does Anbar Suffer More? The View from the Minister -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Minister Dulaime rejected the pretense that Anbaris are more patriotic than other Iraqis and suggested they are responsible for their own suffering. He questioned why none of the provincial elite condemned the recent terrorist attack in Jordan or castigated the actions of the female Anbari would-be suicide bomber who 'violated' the province. Dulaime declared his shame that his people play host to the takfiris and Ba'athists, 'who slaughter Iraqis like sheep'. Regarding the Council's demands for the creation of a division for Anbar, Dulaime affirmed one existed -- created seven months prior -- the 7th Iraqi Army (IA) Division. The minister chided the council for their 'doubletalk'; on the one hand insisting on Iraq's unity, and on the other, urging the creation of a local unit. Creating a division solely for Anbaris, the Minister noted, would encourage the Moslawi or the Basrahawi to do the same. He warned, joining the IA in Anbar did not guarantee one continued to serve in the province, but were subject to reassignment nationally. 
 -------------- -- Why is Anbar Special? The View from the Council -------------- -- ¶4. (C) Dr. Abood, Secretary of the Council, argued that Anbar warranted a division of its own due to its enormous territory and an abundance of former military officers and soldiers. The elderly, senior imam from Hit, Sheikh Yassim, referred to Anbar's recent history as one of random arrests and continual raids. He argued that stability could only be achieved by entrusting Anbari citizens to provide their own security. Sheikh Anwar Kharbit urged the Minister to make brave and exceptional decisions given Anbar's unique situation. Provincial Council Chairman Khodair Abdel Jabar forcefully urged the MoD to create the Anbar Division, adding 'we know you can do this'. The Chair explained 'we are all under a death threat here, we can not have security without a division'. Ma'moon emphasized the council was not asking for special treatment. He charged Dulaime with the responsibility, as a son of the province, with securing the rights of Anbaris. Those rights, Ma'moon continued, were the inclusion of 12,000 men into the Iraqi Security Forces (a number equal to a division). -------------- -------------- We Are Not Terrorists: Legacy of Distrust, Pent-up Anger -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Minister Dulaime told CF and PolOff after the meeting that he recognized former General Sa'ab al Rawi and identified him as an unusual mix of Islamist and former regime loyalist. During a heated exchange in the meeting, Anbaris later told us, the Minister called Sa'ab an insurgent/criminal. Incensed, several of the council members counterattacked. Governor Ma'moon queried why the Minister didn't arrest the thieves (corrupt officials) at the Ministry of Defense. Sheikh Anwar observed that some Anbaris may have taken foreign fighters into their homes, but the Iraqi Transitional Government brought in Iran. He added, "we did not send that Anbari female to Jordan to blow herself up and we don't have to apologize". He added, "we reject terrorism, but there is resistance and we all have sympathy with it". ¶6. (C) Comment. The council appeared very intent, even desperate, to secure a decision from the MoD on the question of a 'Division for Anbar'. On several occasions recently, the council has informed us their public is waiting for the results of our meetings. Dulaime appeared taken aback by their demands, remarking at one point, that he could not make decisions 'in a vacuum'. Although an emotional, and at times combative exchange, local officials evaluated the session as a success. It was an opportunity to voice directly their concerns to a high level official, and several apologized about their frankness. Both the Minister and the members described the back and forth as a 'family argument'. After the peaceful and participatory elections, the council must pursue realistic measures to quell violence. In upcoming meetings we will urge the council to review their 'demands' and suggest productive methods to lobby the ITG to address their concerns. End Comment. KHALILZAD