PRT ANBAR: ANBAR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND TRIBES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 003994 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2021 TAGS: IZ KDEM PGOV PINS SUBJECT: PRT ANBAR: ANBAR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND TRIBES CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS REF: BAGHDAD 3875 Classified By: (U) Classified by Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/REL MCNI) Summary: MNF-W hosted an Iftar dinner October 17 for Anbar Governor Ma'amoun Sami Rasheed Al-Awani and prominent Anbar Sheikh Sattar Al- Rishawi to follow up on the reconciliation momentum generated from the previous joint meeting held October 10 (reftel). The atmospherics were extremely positive, with the U.S. in particular viewed as the trusted and essential partner. There was agreement on how to fill key official provincial positions with qualified and mutually agreeable candidates. Likewise, there was concurrence in developing tools to resolve issues in a cooperative fashion. We anticipate a follow-on meeting with an expanded group of Iraqi tribal leaders from Jordan in early November to continue this Sunni outreach initiative. End Summary. Anbar Governor-Senior Sheikh Meet Again -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MNF-W Commanding General Richard Zilmer hosted Anbar Governor Ma,amoun Sami Rasheed Al-Awani and prominent Anbar Sheikh Sattar Al-Rishawi for a four-hour iftar working dinner October 17 to follow up on the October 10 meeting between these two principal Anbari meetings (reftel). Deputy Governor Ali Abod awad Hutaimi (reportedly a relative of Sattar) accompanied the governor, and Sheikh Wisam Hardan Abu Itha accompanied Sattar. MNF-W Deputy Commanding General David Reist and Anbar PRT Leader also attended. MG Zilmer: Stop Attacks Against U.S. -------------- ¶3. (S/REL MCNI/IRQ) In his introductory remarks, MG Zilmer encouraged the Anbari leaders to continue the dialogue they opened, and reaffirmed U.S. support and partnership. Zilmer emphasized that the USG wanted to withdraw its military forces, but that it would be irresponsible to depart before the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Iraqi people can stand on their own against the terrorists. Zilmer encouraged the leading provincial figures to spread the word that the United States is not the enemy and that attacks against American forces are immoral and wrong. Zilmer concluded by proposing the Iraqis create an impartial mediation committee to explore opportunities and to recommend solutions for bringing about a renaissance in Al-Anbar. Sheikhs: Coalition Is a Friendly Force -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Both Al-Awani and Sattar expressed their desire to improve security and government services in Anbar. Although there were moments of tension between the Governor and the sheikhs, the atmosphere was generally cordial. (NOTE: The meeting occurred several days after Sattar won an apparent bureaucratic victory over Al-Awani and the Provincial Council (PC) when MOI approved a nominee favored by Sattar and his group over the PC,s candidate. Al-Awani complained personally to the Minister of Interior and was angered when the latter backed his rival's nominee. END NOTE). In their presentations before MG Zilmer, Sattar and Al-Awani agreed that in their future public announcements, Coalition Forces (CF) should be described as "friendly forces." Sattar was especially ardent in his desire to "hunt down" terrorists. Overcoming Differences -------------- BAGHDAD 00003994 002 OF 003 ¶5. (SBU) Hardan stated that, while many tribal members have "hard feelings against Al- Awani," he is now accepted as the "legitimate" Governor of Anbar. Sattar pressed Al- Awani on his political affiliation, bluntly asking is he "a brother of the Iraqi Islamic Party or Anbar?" Al-Awani flatly responded that he is "an Anbari first and foremost." "Camel-Trading" -------------- ¶6. (S/REL MCNI/IRQ) There was much discussion on the issue of filling vacant civil service positions at the provincial and local levels. The two sheikhs complained about this absenteeism, maintaining that many government services have virtually stopped and that the Governor fills empty posts with IIP members. It was finally decided that Sattar and Hardan would provide within a week a list of 15 key positions to be filled, along with their recommendations; this list would also be submitted to MG Zilmer. The Iraqis would then reach consensus on positions and proposed candidates to be submitted in a unified fashion to the GOI for approval. The reasoning was if the provincial government and the tribes demonstrate these candidates have both groups' full support, then the GOI would approve them. It was finally agreed that Hardan would be appointed Special Assistant to the Governor, with responsibility for customs and border affairs. Second, the attendees agreed to form a committee of ten members (five named by Al-Awani and five named by Sattar) to review issues and propose solutions to both Al-Awani and Sattar. It was joked, although not without some seriousness, that MG Zilmer could serve as a tie- breaker if needed. Bringing More Into The Tent -------------- ¶7. (S/REL MCNI) The final issue discussed was a proposal by MNF-W to bring 30-40 tribal sheikhs currently living in Jordan to a conference that included the local Anbar sheikhs and the provincial government. The purpose of this event would be to broker a dialogue between tribal leaders who are in Anbar and those who are in Jordan. By making this event as inclusive as possible, it is expected to build stronger unity against terrorists, and foster an environment conducive to reconstruction and investment. Both Al-Awani and Sattar agreed, becoming more enthusiastic of the idea as it was discussed. Sattar did mention, in a reflection of the distrust of those Anbaris who have fled Iraq, that all these "out-of-towners" should, upon arrival, swear an oath pledging allegiance to Anbar and to working uniformly for joint security and prosperity. ¶8. (S/REL MCNI/IRQ) A tentative date of November 7 was set for this conference. Sattar and MNF-W are to determine the exact venue in Anbar for its location. Follow-Up By Iraqis -------------- ¶9. (S/REL MCNI/IRQ) At the end of the evening's discussion, both the Governor and Sattar agreed to the following four points: -- To create a list of 15 names to fill key provincial positions; -- To establish a mediation committee composed of ten members (five picked by Al- Awani, and five by Sattar); -- To hold a conference with the sheikhs living in Jordan in November; and -- To appoint Hardan as special assistant to the governor. BAGHDAD 00003994 003 OF 003 PRT Comment -------------- ¶10. (S/REL MCNI) The Anbar shaykhs initiative is gaining momentum. It presents an opportunity that we should exploit to strengthen stability in Anbar. Last year, a similar group of local sheikhs sought to come together to oppose AQI, but insurgent intimidation soon ended that effort. The differences this time are (a) the determination of the anti-insurgent tribal grouping to move forward despite continuing violence against civilians here; (b) evidence of support by a wider circle of shaykhs; and (c) the willingness of the Sattar group to work closely with the central government and Coalition Forces. However much the Governor welcomes the sheikhs, anti-insurgent front, he has been caught off guard by the Sattar group,s power challenge to his authority and that of the PC. In principle, the mediation committee, if it indeed is formed, will help defuse tension and propose local power arrangements that put the emphasis on home-grown Anbari solutions. And, as the proposed November conference suggests, MNF-W and PRT are looking at ways to keep the "intra-Anbar" dialogue moving in the right direction. KHALILZAD