OCTOBER 8 MCNS: REFORM ON THE MIND

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003757 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS IZ SUBJECT: OCTOBER 8 MCNS: REFORM ON THE MIND Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/REL UK) SUMMARY: In the October 8 meeting of the Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS),PM Maliki expressed his frustration with the current MCNS process, arguing that it should be more focused on decision making. MCNS members agreed that MOI and MOD reform was a priority, including the need to sever the links between the security forces and the militias. Ambassador Khalilzad listed four key pillars of Iraqi security: capable security forces, a reduction in the sources of violence, the elimination of unauthorized armed groups, and a good relationship between Iraqi Security Forces and the Coalition. PM Maliki concluded the meeting by calling for the creation of a new committee with outside experts that could present options to the MCNS on security sector reform and the militias. D/PM Zubai also asked the Ministers of Defense and Interior to develop plans to reform their ministries. END SUMMARY. MCNS REFORM -------------- ¶2. (S/REL UK) During the October 8 meeting of the Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS),PM Maliki complained that better use needed to be made of the MCNS meetings. He said that instead of simply listening to reports on the same set of agenda items week after week, participants should also use the meeting as a forum for seriously discussing, prioritizing, and making decisions on the major security issues facing Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad agreed, noting that the committee should consider how to organize itself in order to make decisions and follow up on their implementation. MOI AND MOD REFORM AND THE NEED TO SEVER MILITIA LINKS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (S/REL UK) Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubai argued forcefully that the MoI and MoD needed to be reformed, claiming both were filled with officers that were negligent, incompetent, or corrupt. He said that there needed to be a change in the leadership of these institutions, down to the brigade and division level. The PM agreed that there were problems in these institutions. He asked rhetorically how much trust could be placed in Iraqi soldiers and police -- 10 percent? 20 percent? He said he would be happy if the level reached 50 percent. Ambassador Khalilzad said that a plan needed to be developed for the reformation of both organizations. For political reasons, it would be important to announce that reform of MoD and MoI would happen jointly. ¶4. (S/REL UK) Maliki stressed the importance of finding ways to sever links between the security forces and the militias, adding that "I don't want to scare you, but I am scared myself." He said that drastic steps might need to be taken, such as moving units so that they would not have ties to the local militias and the creation of joint Vehicle Check Points (VCPs). He mused that if large numbers of police were fired they would simply join the militias; on the other hand, he suggested that a retirement package might be a mechanism for removing tainted officers without alienating them further. D/PM al-Zubai said that the PM should task his ministers with developing plans for severing the militia ties in their ministries, adding that the PM should then hold the ministers accountable for the results. Minister of Justice Hashim al-Shibli argued that militias were not just an internal problem; the GOI needed a strategy for dealing with the countries that support and fund the militias. MNF-I Deputy Commanding General Lamb said that the Coalition might be able to help identify MoI/MoD leadership with suspected militia ties. The Four Pillars of Security -------------- ¶5. (S/REL UK) Ambassador Khalilzad said that there were four pillars to the security of Iraq. First, Iraq needed capable security forces, free of corruption and militia influence. MoI and MoD reform was an important part of building those forces. Second, the sources of violence needed to be reduced. The Prime Minister's plans for National Reconciliation would assist in this regard. Third, other military formations -- including militias, insurgents, FPS, Protective Security Details, and security companies -- needed to be dealt with. Some will need to be reduced and eliminated and others reformed and regulated. And finally, there needed to be a strong relationship between Iraqi Security Forces and the Coalition, resulting in effective BAGHDAD 00003757 002 OF 002 military operations against the terrorists, insurgents, and militias that were seeking to undermine the GOI's authority. He said that the MCNS needed to manage all four of these areas, making decisions and following up on their implementation. He said that the MCNS needed a group that could provide it with options and possible solutions to these issues. ¶6. (S/REL UK) Noting that the discussion had been the most useful in his time of attending the MCNS, UK Ambassador Asquith said that he saw a short-term issue to be dealt with, as well as a medium-term one. In the short-term, the GOI and the Coalition needed to get people with unauthorized weapons off the street. This would require an immediate political agreement for security forces to target these illegally armed individuals. Asquith said the medium-term issue would be reform of the security institutions, adding that he thought it would take time to determine who should be removed from the security ministries and who should be recruited to take their place. A Way Ahead -------------- ¶7. (S/REL UK) The PM said that he intended to move forward with the creation of a committee that would include MCNS members (e.g., MoD, MoI, the National Security Advisor, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and MNF-I),as well as Iraqi (and possibly foreign) experts to look into the issues of security sector reform, and militias. The new committee would be practical in its orientation, designed to present decision-making options to MCNS members. MoD and MoI were tasked with the creation of this new committee. Additionally, D/PM Zubai suggested that Minister of Interior Bolani and Minister of Defense Jasim should be tasked with developing plans for the reform of their ministries. KHALILZAD