MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000209 SIPDIS SIPDIS REL GBR AUS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2016 TAGS: PGOV MOPS PINS KCRS IZ SUBJECT: MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY DISCUSSES BAGHDAD SECURITY, PM'S TRIP TO ANBAR, AND NATIONAL RECONCILIATION Classified By: AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (A),(B),(D ). ¶1. (C//REL GBR AUS) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Ja'afari convened the Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS) at his residence the evening of January 22. Although the major topic of discussion was infrastructure security (septel),the MCNS also heard reports concerning: the status of the security plan for Baghdad; the progress being made to provide a security plan to address the upcoming Ashura religious observances; and the PM's recent trip to Al Anbar Province. The MCNS also began to focus on the subject of national reconciliation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C//REL GBR AUS) Prime Minister Ja'afari convened the Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS) at his residence the evening of January 22. Members of the MCNS present at the meeting were the PM, Minister of Interior Bayan Jabr, Minister of Defense Saadoun al-Dulime, National Security Advisor Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, MNF-I Commanding General Casey, Ambassador, and British Ambassador Patey. Minister of State for National Security Affairs Karim al-Anzi was absent. DPM Ahmed Chalabi, Minister of Electricity Muhsin Shalash, and PM's Chief of Staff Dr. Abdul Aziz al-Tamimi also attended. -------------- BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN -------------- ¶3. (C//REL GBR AUS) MinInterior Jabr reported that, at the direction of the PM, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced and enacted emergency measures to forestall political violence in conjunction with the announcement last week of preliminary election results. Jabr said he was pleased to report that there were no major security problems when the results were announced. He also noted that MOI and Ministry of Defense (MOD) forces are coordinating well with the recently arrived U.S. Army Fourth Infantry Division with regard to security in the Baghdad area. These forces' effective coordination, Jabr noted, has sent a message to terrorists who have been forced to leave Baghdad. He also reported that new proposals are being studied to adjust the plan for Baghdad, which would involve stationing MOI forces in the city, MOD forces on the perimeter, and relying on Coalition forces for overwatch and quick response if needed. ¶4. (C//REL GBR AUS) Jabr also reported on progress being made to convert 23 temporary checkpoints in Baghdad, which now consist of concrete barriers provided by MNF-I, into permanent outposts. Jabr's short-term plan is to spend $2 million to purchase armored trailers that would be reinforced by additional concrete barriers. Adequate funds are available if the PM approves, Jabr added. The long-term solution, he explained, is to build permanent checkpoints, which he estimated will cost $12 million. According to Jabr, the funds for this project were appropriated in the 2005 budget but were returned at year's end because they were not spent. DPM Chalabi informed Jabr that he could have these funds returned, and Jabr said he would have his deputy minister forward the request to the PM's office. -------------- SECURITY FOR ASHURA -------------- ¶5. (C//REL GBR AUS) Ja'afari said he is concerned about the potential for violence during the upcoming Ashura observances. Millions of people will be gathering and marching, he said, which will present terrorists with many targets of opportunity. Ja'afari said the security forces must be prepared to deal with the types of attacks that have taken place before: suicide vests, mortars, small arms, and VBIEDs. However, Ja'afari said he fears that terrorists may try new tactics, such as poisoning food and water that will be provided to the marchers. He directed that the security plan for Ashura include steps to approve and monitor food and water vendors. In addition, hotels and homes and apartments for rent must be watched closely for the presence of terrorists. The MOI-led interministerial committee that coordinated the election security plan is working on a plan for Ashura. BAGHDAD 00000209 002 OF 002 -------------- PRIME MINISTER'S TRIP TO AL-ANBAR -------------- ¶6. (C//REL GBR AUS) Ja'afari reported on his recent trip to Al-Anbar Province with Ambassador and GEN Casey, during which he visited Ramadi and Fallujah. While Fallujah looks like a city returning to normal, Ja'afari stated, Ramadi still bears many signs of conflict. The PM called the people with whom he met in Ramadi "brave, realistic, frank, and willing to cooperate with the government." One problem he learned during the trip, Ja'afari noted, is that the Ramadi "security committee" formed by the Governor is not representative of the local community. Ja'afari said it is possible to support the work of the committee but that, at the same time, the others in Ramadi cannot be ignored. Ja'afari said he wished he had had more time to meet with other segments of Ramadi's society, including the Provincial Council, professionals, and others with a stake in the development of the community. ¶7. (C//REL GBR AUS) Ja'afari said he was approached regarding two types of problems while in Ramadi and Fallujah. First, he said, people still need compensation for damage to their property. Ja'afari immediately made $75 million available for Fallujah and said he would discuss additional financial needs with the MCNS. Second, regarding detainees, Ja'afari said that many in Ramadi would prefer to see their sons playing a role in protecting the security of the region as part of a locally formed defense unit, rather than seeing them locked up. Ja'afari said there must be an agreed-upon strategy to address how the government will deal with Al-Anbar, as well as how to determine which requests from its residents are legitimate and able to be accommodated. He concluded that he should meet with a wider segment of the population, not just the governor's security committee, in order to see what can be done. -------------- DETAINEES AND RECONCILIATION -------------- ¶8. (C//REL GBR AUS) With regard to detainees, Ja'afari said that two types of detainees cannot be released: (1) criminals whose cases must be handled by the courts, and (2) those who have been captured in possession of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy weapons, or who are members of terrorist organizations. However, he noted, consideration should be given to releasing those who are held with no proof of terrorist or criminal links. Ja'afari said that such people could be released on the condition that, if it is later discovered that they lied or were involved in crime or terrorism, they would be re-arrested and pay a heavy price. Ja'afari said that it may be time to take a courageous stand and consider laws that would allow the government to determine the nature and seriousness of a person's actions and then decide whether to be tough or lenient with them. ¶9. (C//REL GBR AUS) Ambassador agreed that this is an interesting subject that needs to be addressed. The law must make provisions, he stated, for people who wish to abandon the "resistance" and become part of the political process; this law should address questions of amnesty and reconciliation. Ja'afari said he is thinking of South Africa's experience, in which reconciliation took place after democratic elections. Ambassador Patey said the Iraqis might also profit from taking a look at the Good Friday accord and the British experience with Northern Ireland, of which he promised to make a copy available. Ja'afari tasked Rubaie to undertake a study of how to deal with the detainee issue and to examine the concept of reconciliation. KHALILZAD