MINDEF DULIME CONVEYS SECURITY CONCERNS TO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001422

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PINS PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ
SUBJECT: MINDEF DULIME CONVEYS SECURITY CONCERNS TO
AMBASSADOR

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and
(d)


1. (S) SUMMARY: Minister of Defense Sadoun al-Dulime called
on Ambassador to discuss his concerns with the
"terrorist-controlled" highway between Baghdad and Amman and
the 8,750 Iraqi security detail personnel currently being
paid out of MoD's budget. Dulime also took this opportunity
to caution against the wholesale integration of militia into
the ISF. When Ambassador asked for his views on the recent
selection of Maliki as Prime Minister-designate, Dulime
responded that he is not optimistic about the next
government. Although he believes Maliki to be a hard worker,
Dulime is not sure that Maliki (whom Dulime feels is far too
sectarian) will be able to bridge the sectarian divide that
Dulime views as ripping the country apart. Dulime mentioned
that he and other senior Iraqi and regional leaders are
developing a proposal for a regional dialogue between Sunni
and Shia leaders that would aim to address the rising
sectarian tension. END SUMMARY.

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SECURING THE BAGHDAD-AMMAN HIGHWAY
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2. (S) On April 27, Dulime presented Ambassador with a
MoD-drafted proposal to secure the highway running between
Baghdad and Amman through Al Anbar Province. Dulime asserted
that securing this roadway should be a top priority, as it is
currently controlled by terrorists and used by them to
smuggle their weapons and fighters. When asked if the MoI
highway patrol is deployed along any part of this route,
Dulime said not at all and that "special forces" should be
deployed immediately to address the problem. Dulime assured
Ambassador that he has discussed the problem with both GEN
George Casey and LTG Martin Dempsey and that they have copies
of the proposal.

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THE IRAQI PSD PROBLEM
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3. (S) Dulime is concerned with the 8,750 Iraqi Personal
Security Detail employees (PSDs) that are currently paid by
MoD. He believes his Ministry's budget should not be
responsible for their salaries, especially since he has no
contact with them and no authority over them. He also
mentioned his alarm with the high numbers of PSDs insisted
upon by many Iraqi officials. As examples he pointed out
that Ghazi al-Yawir has about 800 PSDs and Ahmed Chalabi is
provided about 900. Ambassador concurred that reform is
necessary and that he would discuss the issue with LTG
Dempsey.

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MILITIA INTEGRATION INTO ISF
--------------


4. (S) Dulime cautioned against the wholesale integration of
militias into ISF. He specifically is concerned with Prime
Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki's recent proclamation to
carry out CPA Order 91. Ambassador stressed that militias
must be dealt with soonest and that integration into the ISF
should be a critical part of the overall strategy. However,
Ambassador emphasized that any proposal for integration must
be developed and implemented with great care. Ambassador
went on to state that the recent proposal submitted by Badr
Organization General Secretary Hadi al-Amiri on April 23 to
Dulime, Interior Minister Jabr, and LTG Dempsey, which calls
for the integration of all 8000-9000 Badr Corps members into
the ISF, is on hold until further notice. He said the
proposal needs to be thoroughly reviewed and would be an
agenda item at the next Ministerial Committee for National
Security (MCNS). Dulime agreed this is a good idea.

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DULIME THOUGHTS ON PM-DESIGNATE
--------------


5. (S) When Ambassador asked for his views on PM-designate
Nuri al-Maliki, Dulime was not very forthcoming. He began
his reply by stating that he is not optimistic about Iraq's
future. As for Maliki, he knows him well and believes he is
a hard working person. But Dulime stressed that Maliki has
not shown he is above sectarian politics, as he has put a lot
of pressure on Dulime to fill the MoD with SCIRI/DAWA
members. Dulime also is leery of Maliki's motives given his
past statements that he believes the MoD needs restructuring.
(NOTE: In a meeting with LTG Dempsey prior to the selection
of Maliki as PM-designate, Dulime stressed that, if Maliki

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were selected, the USG should not hesitate to push back.
Dulime stressed that Maliki is too extreme and would
completely reorganize the MoD without consultations and to
its detriment. END NOTE.)


6. (S) COMMENT: MinDef Dulime's concerns are not new but
have been a subject of discussion with Coalition leaders for
some time. Dulime is deeply concerned with rising
ethno-sectarian strife. He has little, if any, faith in the
principal Iraqi political leaders and believes the terrorists
are not being dealt with as aggressively as they should be.
It seems that, in the past couple of months as it has become
increasingly evident that he will not remain as MinDef,
Dulime is more vocal about his frustrations and more
aggressive in getting his concerns and proposals passed to
Coalition leaders. END COMMENT.
KHALILZAD