PM HOPES TO COMPLETE SELECTION OF SECURITY

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001869 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2016 TAGS: ASEC IZ PGOV PREL SUBJECT: PM HOPES TO COMPLETE SELECTION OF SECURITY MINISTERS SOON; DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT BASRAH REF: BAGHDAD 1845 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD PER 1.4 B AND D. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a June 1 meeting with Ambassador, PM Maliki repeated his intent to complete selection soon of Ministers of Defense and Interior. MinDef will be either Abdel Qader al-Mufraji (if Kurds can be brought on board) or Nabil Khalil Saeed. MinInt candidates are Tawfiq Yasseri or Farouk al-Araji. PM returned from Basrah deeply concerned about security and economic deterioration but energized about addressing Basrah's problems quickly. PM's views on new U.S. position on talking to Iran, need for GOI approach to UNSC on UNSCR 1637 reported septels. END SUMMARY. -------------- Visit to Basrah Deeply Troubling -------------- ¶2. (C) In a June 1 meeting, Ambassador commended PM Maliki for his visit to Basrah the previous day and the positive impact of his "iron fist" public remarks. Maliki, who several times during the meeting noted his "deep, deep concern" about the situation in Basrah, cited the long list of urgent problems: violent tribal and political rivalries; totally dysfunctional and compromised police force; mafia-like gangs menacing the city; probable nefarious foreign involvement; and overall collapse of the infrastructure. In his discussions with Basrah leaders, Maliki said that he heard complaints about British forces, including allegations they are assassinating people - which the PM said he already has discussed with the UK Ambassador. ¶3. (C) When Ambassador asked what he needs from the U.S., Maliki said that he needs an urgent security plan and resources for reconstruction. Maliki explained that he established an emergency security committee in Basrah. (NOTE: In a separate meeting, VP Tariq al-Hashemi identified members of the committee: the Governor, Badr Corps head Hadi al-Amri, former Minister of Transportation Salah Maliki, Minister of Provincial Affairs Saad Taher al-Hashemi, and an unidentified Tawafuq representative. END NOTE.) Maliki said that the Iraqi Army is respected by the people of Basrah and that, as of June 1, they would be manning the city's checkpoints. Although Maliki has asked the Basrah emergency committee to devise a security plan, he accepted the Ambassador's suggestion that MNF-I CG Casey return the next day for further discussion on security requirements. ¶4. (C) The PM also said that the people of Basrah need to see some improvement in their infrastructure. The University is a disaster; they have limited electricity and no drinkable water; and they need a bridge over the Shatt al-Arab, Maliki said. Ambassador promised to return in a few days with ideas for projects that might be undertaken in Basrah, but noted that the security situation makes reconstruction projects problematic. The PM insisted that the people of Basrah are ready for change, and if he loses Basrah, he said he fears that other Iraqi cities could also collapse. The number of trained Iraqi forces are inadequate for the task, Maliki said, and he needs to increase their number quickly. Of the 15,000 policemen, only 3000 are real - the other are paper policemen. -------------- On Track to Name MOI/MOD -------------- ¶5. (S) Ambassador told the PM that the U.S. is comfortable with either Adbel Qader Al-Mufraji or Nabil Khalil Saeed as MinDef. Ambassador said he is sending a message to Masud Barzani on Abdel Qader and, if necessary, would go in person to see him (Barzani). Likewise, Ambassador added, the U.S. believes that Tawfiq Yasseri or Farouq al-Araji are acceptable candidates for MinInt, although Yasseri is the stronger of the two. The PM said accepted this and asked for results of the outreach to Barzani as soon as possible. -------------- Other Topics -------------- ¶6. (C) Maliki's response to Ambassador's points on Iran, UNSCR 1637, and the Iraq Compact are covered in septels. KHALILZAD