MCNS - UPDATE ON SECURITY ISSUES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 002464 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2016 TAGS: MOPS PGOV PINS PNAT PREL PTER IZ SUBJECT: MCNS - UPDATE ON SECURITY ISSUES Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David M. Satterfield for Reasons 1.4 ( b) and (d). ¶1. (S//REL GBR AUS) SUMMARY: The Ministerial Committee for National Security (MCNS) met July 9 to review the transfer of security authority to al-Muthanna Province, critical energy infrastructure protection, the Baghdad and Basrah Security plans, and events in Anbar. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S//REL GBR AUS) Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki chaired the MCNS on July 9 to hear a briefing on the proposed transfer of security authority from MNF-I to the governorate of al-Muthanna Province. Also on the agenda were updates on the Baghdad Security Plan (Operation Ma'an ila al-Amam - Together Forward) and the Basra; Security Plan as well as discussions about operations in Anbar Province. Present for the GOI were Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubai, Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bolani, Minister of Defense Abd al-Qadir, Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Wa'ili, National Security Advisor Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Finance Minister (and former Minister of Interior) Bayan Jabr, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Rafi Hayad al-Isawi. The Coalition was represented by Charge, UK Ambassador William Patey, MNF-I Commanding General George Casey, MNF-I DCG LTG Robert Fry, and Pol-Mil Counselor. -------------- Transfer of Security Authority to al-Muthanna -------------- ¶3. (S//REL GBR AUS) The MCNS discussed the transition of security responsibility from MNF-I to Al-Muthanna province, scheduled for July 13 and to be followed by similar transitions in other provinces. Maliki asked for clarification about the role of MNF-I after the transfer. Rubaie and Casey explained that the Governor of Al-Muthanna would have routine authority within the province while MNF-I would have freedom of movement, which would allow supply convoys to move easily from Basrah to Baghdad. MND-SE forces would remain in cantonments on the outskirts of major towns (such as Samarrah) but would not patrol -- this would be left to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). The governor could request MND-SE's assistance, and in the case of a terrorism-related event (such as discovery of a high-value target) the MND-SE commander would coordinate with the governor but would not need the governor's approval to act. However, Casey and Rubaie explained, if the governor refused coordination, then the MNF-I CG would need to consult with the Prime Minister before taking any action in al-Muthanna Province. Maliki requested, and Casey concurred, that this provision be written out explicitly to avoid any later misunderstandings. -------------- Critical Energy Infrastructure Integrity -------------- ¶4. (S//REL GBR AUS) Rubaie noted that an infrastructure operations room had been established to shorten the response time for utility outages. MinDef Abd al-Qadir said that the Ministries of Oil, Electricity, Interior, and Defense are now interconnected and that MNC-I CG LTG Chiarelli would soon brief on improved coordination methods. MinInterior Bolani complained that corruption is a factor behind many insurgent attacks. As such, Bolani suggested that a vigorous anti-corruption campaign should accompany any increased facilities security effort. DCG Fry noted that $6-8 billion a year in potential GOI revenue is lost due to outages and utility-related corruption. -------------- Baghdad Security Plan -------------- ¶5. (S//REL GBR AUS) The MCNS reviewed results to date of Ma'an ila al-Amam (Operation Together Forward),the Baghdad security plan. MinDef Abd al-Qadir defended the operation so far, saying that it has successfully deterred terrorist attacks against the GOI, but that other attacks (such as the recent VBIED in Sadr City) have killed many ordinary Iraqi citizens. He opined that more small raids are needed and that the ISF could conduct a section-by-section sweep to control Baghdad. According to Qadr, if one area can be made secure, such as Sadr City, it would be a good example for other areas; however, increased resources would be needed. Shirwan noted reports that trucks laden with explosives have been heading toward Baghdad, which the ISF would intercept if they conduct their duties more effectively. Picking up on this theme, Maliki asked MNF-I for an additional $1 million BAGHDAD 00002464 002 OF 003 worth of explosives-detecting equipment to install at checkpoints. Casey responded that MNF-I would share what is available. ¶6. (S//REL GBR AUS) Finance Minister Jabr asserted that some satellite TV stations are encouraging people to riot and work against the GOI. He recommended a media campaign to urge unity. Rubaie noted that there had been a media campaign before but that those efforts had slackened. A re-launching of the campaign was suggested to make public support as strong as before. ¶7. (S//REL GBR AUS) Bolani said that Baghdad's real problem is criminal gangs that rob, kidnap, and kill. Better coordination between MOI and MOD is needed to clean up Baghdad, he added. Some kidnap victims are forced to carry out suicide bombing operations, Bolani explained, and better explosives-detection equipment is needed, along with a stronger media campaign for better public cooperation. Turning to the politically sensitive issue of the ISF entering mosques, Bolani said that pre-coordination with a mosque's local authorities is needed to explain that snipers or weapons caches are inside. Only then should ISF enter the house of worship, Bolani said, whether it is Shia or Sunni; also, no one should be permitted to carry weapons within an ISF-secured perimeter. ¶8. (S//REL GBR AUS) PM Maliki called for improving the discipline and professionalism of the Baghdad police. After driving around the city with MND-B CG MG James Thurman to inspect check points, Maliki decided that more pay and incentives for the ISF are needed to encourage better performance. Any police infractions should be punished, Maliki said, and terrorists must be prevented from using MOI/MOD uniforms and vehicles. -------------- Basrah Security Plan -------------- ¶9. (S//REL GBR AUS) Turning to Basrah, Minister of State for National Security Shirwan stated that sectarian violence had stabilized. He recommended that a 13-person political committee be formed along with a military command before the implementation of the Basrah Security Plan. Maliki announced he had selected three names for the military committee and that he would look at all names offered for the remaining slots. Maliki mentioned that he is considering naming Ali Hammadi as chairman. However, Maliki cautioned that the Basrah governor does not want to change, and the CoR has not passed the legislation yet. ¶10. (S//REL GBR AUS) UK Ambassador Patey asserted that there is confusion in Basrah and that MNF-I does not know with whom to coordinate. What is needed now, Patey said, is a new military figure who is competent and respected to head the security committee and coordinate among the province, the ISF, and MNF-I. Patey related how the Basrah Governor says one thing in Baghdad but then does something different. A military committee, Patey elaborated, could be the core of a reconciliation committee. Casey added that it is important that the committee have Terms of Reference that would be clear both in Baghdad and Basrah. Bolani added that unrest in Basrah threatens all of Iraqi, economically and politically. ¶11. (S//REL GBR AUS) Maliki then asked Bolani and Abd al-Qadir if they have sufficient guidance regarding raids on mosques. Maliki described how on July 8 he had given an order to conduct a raid on a mosque. However, Maliki said that he heard afterward that Bolani told his troops not to enter the mosque, while Abd al-Qadir had ordered the area surrounded. Maliki admonished his Cabinet to coordinate their actions beforehand. Likewise, he cited how he saw DVDs for sale in Baghdad showing mass killings. He fumed that such wanton disregard must be quelled if order is to be maintained. -------------- Reports on Anbar -------------- ¶12. (S//REL GBR AUS) Rafi related how the Ramadi hospital (the only large patient facility in al-Anbar Province) is vacant due to terrorist incursions and MNF-I's subsequent security measures blockading Ramadi. The hospital is asking for MNF-I intervention, Rafi said, and if the hospital does not re-open soon its staff likely will relocate. Abd al-Qadir reported that he sent forces to secure the hospital. BAGHDAD 00002464 003 OF 003 NSC staff added that MNF-I is needed in the town of Eihailat (southeast of Fallujah) to quell a tribal conflict there involving Sunni extremist terrorists; the tribe could no longer wait for GOI support. It was claimed that this tribe previously had requested but not yet received MNF-I support. Maliki directed Bolani to have MOI intervene in these issues and requested MNF-I to lift its cordon so Ramadi hospital could reopen. SATTERFIELD