NINEWA: IRAQI ISLAMIC PARTY (IIP) CALLS FOR EARLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 002869

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF MARR ECON IZ
SUBJECT: NINEWA: IRAQI ISLAMIC PARTY (IIP) CALLS FOR EARLY
PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS AND LOCALLY RECRUITED MILITARY UNITS

REF: (A) BAGHDAD 02652 (B) MOSUL 00042

Classified By: Ninewa PRT Team Leader James Knight: Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message.

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) leadership in
Ninewa believes restoration of security is the most
important task in Ninewa, and early elections (to
replace the current Kurd-dominated Ninewa Provincial
Government) would be the best first step to improve
security. Only a fully representative government
with an appropriate number of council members from
each community can restore confidence, establish
security, and improve the economy.


2. (C) IIP leaders assert that existing Iraqi Army
(IA) units in Ninewa cannot assure security since
they are predominately former Kurd militia and are
not trusted. IIP believes these units must be
replaced by soldiers native to Ninewa. They also
worry that efforts to extend Kurd hegemony into
Ninewa may lead to violence. The IIP also reports
that the influx of internally displaced persons
(IDPs) from Basra and Baghdad has been reduced as
security has improved in their home areas, and that
some IDPs have returned to their former homes in the
last few weeks. End Summary.


3. (SBU) PRT Team Leader Knight, Deputy Team Leader
COL Grant, and IPAO Pope met IIP Director Dr.
Mohammed Shakir, Deputy Director Younis Hashim, and
senior IIP members Faris Younis, Hasan Al Allaf,
Mumtaz Al Aaraji, Isam al Hafudh and Sheikh Hikmat
Salman for a working lunch at Mosul IIP offices 1
August.

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EARLY ELECTIONS KEY TO SECURITY
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4. (C) PRT Team Leader Knight opened discussion
with a general query regarding IIP priorities for
Ninewa. Shakir responded by lamenting the globally
poor state of affairs. No basic services function
effectively, and a 'culture of killing' has taken
hold. He asserted that the most important step
forward is elections as soon as possible. New
elections will establish a fully representative
provincial government (i.e., with an appropriate
number of Sunni council members). He acknowledged
recognized the IIPs mistake in not participating in
the January 2005 provincial elections, but insisted
that the IIP now understood that participation in
the electoral process is necessary to end sectarian
conflict. He emphasized that the IIP has already
begun to plan for Ninewa if, as they expect, their
party achieves a majority on the Provincial Council
(PC) in the next election.


5. (C) The IIP is particularly interested in
improving agriculture, and want to see long-planned
irrigation projects completed so that farmers can
increase production. They plan a broad pluralistic
administration which will work with other parties,
coalition forces (CF),the PRT, and other relevant
organizations to achieve security and economic
growth. Shakir stressed that the IIP is a civil --
not religious -- party that supports democracy, the
rule of law, and minority rights, and welcomes
members from all ethnic groups. Once security had
been achieved and economic development is underway,
work can begin on improvement of services and
infrastructure.

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IRAQI FORCES IN NINEWA SHOULD BE FROM NINEWA
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6. (C) Elaborating on the security problem, Shakir
pointed out that the Second and Third Divisions of
the Iraqi Army now posted in Ninewa are composed of
former Kurd Peshmerga militia members. While the
IIP is appreciative of the security these forces
provided immediately after the fall of the previous

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regime, it is time for them to leave. Long term
security of the province must be assured by locals
if ethnic and religious tensions are to be reduced.


7. (C) Shakir recommended a locally-recruited
division be established promptly so that Kurd
troops of IA units now in Ninewa can be withdrawn.
He noted that he did not wish replacement of the
Kurd troops by Iraqi army soldiers or police from
Baghdad, and again stressed the need to stand up IA
units here with Ninewa recruits. He is also
concerned that Coalition Forces withdrawal from
Ninewa before local troops assume control is likely
to lead to increased violence.

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KURD ASSERTIVENESS FEEDS TENSION
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8. (C) In response to PRT Team Leader Knight's
question regarding the relationship of Ninewa to the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG),Shakir and
other IIP members observed that resentment of Kurds
continues to rise among Ninewa's Arabs and
Christians. Kurds are believed to be seeking
annexation of large parts of Ninewa by the KRG and
to 'Kurdify' traditionally Arab areas. Arabs are
rudely treated by Kurds manning IA checkpoints in
the province and are berated for not speaking
Kurdish.


9. Shakir and his colleagues reported that Kurdish
flags are flown openly in Arab towns, and
intimidation was used by Kurds to influence voting
in previous elections. Younis Hashim pointed to
pressure exerted by Kurds on the Sinjar District
Council to elicit a Council vote to join the KRG.
Shakir regretted that anger arising from such
incidents has at times been directed against
innocent Kurds, and some have been displaced as a
result. Shakir and the IIP are afraid that
continued pressure by Kurds may lead to a violent
Arab reaction. Shakir asked for USG efforts to
discourage Kurd encroachment in Ninewa.


10. (C) As an example of the mistreatment of Arabs
by Kurd soldiers, Mumtaz Al Aaraji, a member of the
Ninewa's Provincial Council, related his recent
experience trying to travel from Mosul to Dahuk to
attend a regional conference of provincial council
members. He was stopped at a checkpoint north of
Mosul, and then addressed by guards entirely in
Kurdish. The guards became verbally and physically
abusive when Mumtaz responded in Arabic. Mumtaz
explained that he was a Council member on official
business, but the guard insisted on an intrusive
search of his car. Mumtaz was told that his weapon
and those of his security detail would have to be
relinquished for him to proceed. When he refused to
yield the weapons he was forbidden to enter Dahuk
province, and accordingly returned to Mosul. Mumtaz
affirmed that Ninewa Arabs are routinely subjected
to such treatment.

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IDP INFLUX SLOWS
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11. (C) In response to a Team Leader question
regarding IDPs in Ninewa, Shakir reported that over
2000 displaced families fleeing violence in Basra
and Baghdad had registered with the IIP in Mosul
over the past several months (Note: an estimated
12,000 individuals. End note.) The IIP has
coordinated provincial government and private
support for these families, but Shakir also noted
that the flow of refugees has slowed recently as
security in Basra and Baghdad has improved. Several
families have already left Mosul to return to their
homes in Basra.

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COMMENT
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12. (C) The IIP is expected to win a majority on
the Ninewa Provincial Council at the next provincial
elections. Shakir is likely to become the
province's next Governor. Shakir and his advisors

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were at pains to assure his PRT guests that the IIP
is a democratic, tolerant party eager to work with
coalition forces and Iraqi national and local
partners. End comment.
KHALILZAD