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