CODEL REED ADVISES MOI THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003762 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2016 TAGS: PHUM PINS PREL IZ PTER SUBJECT: CODEL REED ADVISES MOI THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During their October 8 meeting with Minister of Interior Jawad Bolani, Senators Reed and Durbin, accompanied by Ambassador Khalilzad, shared their concerns over sectarian strife and the growing violence in Iraq. Bolani attempted to shift blame from his ministry to others, criticizing Iraq's ineffective judiciary, quarreling politicians and, ultimately, the Sunnis. Senator Reed urged Boulani to purge sectarian elements from the police. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On October 8, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL),joined Ambassador Khalilzad in a meeting with Jawad Bolani, Iraq's Minister of the Interior. Both senators raised concerns over the growing sectarian violence and asked what the Ministry of Interior and Iraqi police were doing to stem it. ¶3. (C) Bolani addressed corruption and sectarian violence in general terms. He cited "joint areas" (regions with mixed Sunni/Shia populations) and Al Qaeda as key challenges. Bolani blamed Iraq's corrupt and inefficient judges, the poor leadership of Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people's inexperience with democracy for many of the problems facing Iraq today. ¶4. (C) Senator Reed noted that a major problem was the rise of sectarian influence among Iraq's police and asked Bolani what was being done to address this. Bolani responded by assuring the CODEL that that "punishment awaited" transgressors. To demonstrate progress in the police, Bolani pointed to the new procedure of requiring police cadets to take their oaths in televised programs and other public forums to reinforce the idea of public service. ¶5. (C) Senator Reed underlined that the security situation in Iraq is not improving sufficiently or quickly enough. He stressed that time is running out and urged greater efforts at reform. He called on Bolani to eliminate sectarian elements from the Ministry of the Interior and to work closely with American forces to stabilize the area. KHALILZAD