MOI BOLANI - MAIN THREAT IS SECTARIANISM; MOI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004256 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS MOPS PNAT PINR IZ SUBJECT: MOI BOLANI - MAIN THREAT IS SECTARIANISM; MOI MAKING PROGRESS Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C/REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY: In a November 4 meeting with Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bolani, Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte stressed the need to quell sectarian violence. Minister Bolani agreed, emphasizing that the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) is reducing abductions and killings in the areas where it has been instituted. He cited the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to Fallujah as an example of recent positive trends. Bolani described the MOI's role in providing essential non-security related public services such as: birth/death registrations, passport issuance, and licensing. He commented on the good relationship between the MOI and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) which he described as having a "sincere wish to improve things." He stated that he is making changes at the MOI to ensure that personnel are held accountable for their actions, instituting committees to investigate compliance with regulations. He is confident that the MOI will continue to make progress and be able to take over all security responsibilities in 2007. END SUMMARY. -------------- BSP Is Reducing Abductions and Murders -------------- ¶2. (C/REL UK, AUS) Director Negroponte stressed the importance of quelling the current cycle of violence in Iraq, emphasizing that it is critical to both the Iraqi government's credibility and U.S. domestic support. Bolani commented that the Baghdad Security Plan is working: during the past twenty days, murders were reduced by 35 percent and abductions by 62 percent in the areas that have been cleared by Iraqi and Coalition Forces. He did affirm that the incidence of Improvised Explosive Devises (IED) and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devises (VBIED) remain high. (COMMENT: MNF-I's percentages are similar, showing abductions decreasing by 69 percent (139 to 42) and murders decreasing by 30 percent (1218 to 836) in the past 20 days, which included the Eid, a period of reduced violence in past years. We will need a few more days to draw conclusions about trends. END COMMENT). -------------- Bolani Emphasizes the Positive -------------- ¶3. (C/REL UK, AUS) Minister Bolani spent much of the meeting emphasizing positive trends and success, noting that Iraq now has a functioning and constitutionally-based government and has held open national elections twice. He spoke of his positive impressions from a recent visit to Fallujah, saying that it is mostly free of criminals, Baathists, and Al Qaeda. Director Negroponte asked if the many residents who left the city's heavy fighting in 2004 had returned. Bolani replied that this was the case. (Note: Sources confirm this assertion that most Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) who left during the November 2004 Marine offensive have returned and that the overall security situation, while still challenging, is improving. END NOTE) Bolani added that many challenges remain, especially the negative influence of sectarian politicians who use "the language of escalation to incite their followers to behave emotionally and violently." Until this is resolved, Iraq will require coalition assistance in maintaining order. He added that security was not only a question of force but also a social concept built on the social services, economy, and the national infrastructure that still needs to be developed. In the end security will require a political solution and cooperation among all ministries. ¶4. (U) Bolani described the MOI's role in providing essential non-security related public services such as: birth/death registrations, passport issuance, and licensing. These functions are critical to Iraqi society and are largely "invisible" to the public's understanding of the MOI. He commented on the good relationship between the MOI and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) which he described as having a "sincere wish to improve things." -------------- Police: Bravery and Improvement -------------- ¶5. (C/REL UK, AUS) Bolani was confident that the MOI would continue to make progress and believes it would be able to take the lead for all security responsibilities in 2007. While noting that Iraqi police forces continue to learn and make mistakes, Bolani emphasized that they remain "very brave", citing the deaths of ninety-six officers in the past two weeks. He stated that he is making changes at the MOI to ensure that personnel are held accountable for their actions, instituting committees to investigate compliance with regulations. He also noted improvements in the quality of several areas such as investigatory capacity, adding that the FBI has provided excellent assistance. He also intends to develop a hostage rescue element to focus on ransom-inspired kidnappings. He thanked Director Negroponte for all his help and said the MOI would gladly accept additional foreign training assistance. The DNI Bolani of his support for his efforts. Bolani thanked him for his long commitment to the Iraqi people. Speckhard