Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD1869
2006-06-03 16:14:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PM HOPES TO COMPLETE SELECTION OF SECURITY
how-toVZCZCXRO6898 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1869 1541614 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 031614Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4862 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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.
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
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