Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD2054
2006-06-18 09:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEET AND GREET
how-toVZCZCXRO2589 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2054 1690942 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 180942Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5123 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0495 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEET AND GREET
REF: BAGHDAD 01960
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARGET SCOBEY
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEET AND GREET
REF: BAGHDAD 01960
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARGET SCOBEY
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Summary. In a June 12 introductory meeting with
the new Minister of Justice (MOJ) Hashim abd Rahman
al-Shibli, Emboffs expressed their desire to maintain
a close relationship with the Ministry and to support
its transition to primary responsibility for virtually
all detention facilities. The Minister thanked
EmbOffs and highlighted his general commitment to the
principles of human rights and in enforcement of the
law. End Summary.
2. (C) IRMO representatives outlined the Embassy's
efforts to facilitate an easy transition of detainees
from other institutions to MOJ detention facilities.
The IRMO director stressed the importance of having
the right set of people and resources to successfully
take on this job, as well as the necessity of training
more judges to minimize the judicial backlog.
Minister Hashim acknowledged these comments.
3. (C) PolCouns raised the recent discovery of abuse
at "Site 4", the Iraqi National Police (INP) detention
complex where more than 1,400 detainees in squalid,
conditions were found (ref). Minister al-Shibli noted
his general awareness of the prison abuses occurring
at site 4, but not of the specifics. EmbOffs
described the conditions of abuse discovered by the
interagency team (including MOJ personnel) and agreed
to provide additional information. When asked whether
he was aware if nine MOI detention facility personnel
had been fired, he responded in the affirmative. He
also acknowledged his participation in a newly formed
committee on prison inspection and abuses (which also
includes MOD, MOI, and MoHR).
4. (C) Comment: Soft-spoken and amicable, the Minister
was very passive during the meeting. Preferring to
listen and agree with what was being said, al-Shibli
failed to provide insight into his own priorities or
beliefs. As the meeting was ending, the Minister
stated that he would be a strong minister and would
enforce the laws, but did not flesh out this
statement.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEET AND GREET
REF: BAGHDAD 01960
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARGET SCOBEY
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Summary. In a June 12 introductory meeting with
the new Minister of Justice (MOJ) Hashim abd Rahman
al-Shibli, Emboffs expressed their desire to maintain
a close relationship with the Ministry and to support
its transition to primary responsibility for virtually
all detention facilities. The Minister thanked
EmbOffs and highlighted his general commitment to the
principles of human rights and in enforcement of the
law. End Summary.
2. (C) IRMO representatives outlined the Embassy's
efforts to facilitate an easy transition of detainees
from other institutions to MOJ detention facilities.
The IRMO director stressed the importance of having
the right set of people and resources to successfully
take on this job, as well as the necessity of training
more judges to minimize the judicial backlog.
Minister Hashim acknowledged these comments.
3. (C) PolCouns raised the recent discovery of abuse
at "Site 4", the Iraqi National Police (INP) detention
complex where more than 1,400 detainees in squalid,
conditions were found (ref). Minister al-Shibli noted
his general awareness of the prison abuses occurring
at site 4, but not of the specifics. EmbOffs
described the conditions of abuse discovered by the
interagency team (including MOJ personnel) and agreed
to provide additional information. When asked whether
he was aware if nine MOI detention facility personnel
had been fired, he responded in the affirmative. He
also acknowledged his participation in a newly formed
committee on prison inspection and abuses (which also
includes MOD, MOI, and MoHR).
4. (C) Comment: Soft-spoken and amicable, the Minister
was very passive during the meeting. Preferring to
listen and agree with what was being said, al-Shibli
failed to provide insight into his own priorities or
beliefs. As the meeting was ending, the Minister
stated that he would be a strong minister and would
enforce the laws, but did not flesh out this
statement.
SPECKHARD