NOVEMBER 15 MCNS ON MOD REFORM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004267

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS IZ
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 15 MCNS ON MOD REFORM

REF: BAGHDAD 4226

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).


1. (S/REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY: On November 15, Minister of
Defense Abdul Qader presented a report on MoD reform to the
Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS),focusing
on the current situation in the ministry. Following the
MinDef's presentation, National Security Advisor Rubaie said
the ministerial committee on security sector reform had made
a number of recommendations relating to the infiltration,
balancing, and structure of the MoD. After MNF-I Commanding
General Casey raised concerns about the chain of command
implications of the structural changes, the MCNS agreed to
send that recommendation back to the committee for further
study. The MCNS approved the other recommendations. END
SUMMARY.


2. (S/REL UK, AUS) In an unusual mid-week meeting of the
Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS),Minister
of Defense Abdul Qader presented a detailed study on the
current structure, ethno-sectarian balance, and
terrorist/militia/party infiltration of the MoD. Following
his presentation, National Security Advisor Rubaie said that
the ministerial committee tasked with looking at security
service reform had made a series of recommendations in each
of these areas.


3. (S/REL UK, AUS) Rubaie said that the committee had made a
number of recommendations on how to "clean" the ministry of
terrorist/militia/party infiltration, including:

-- conducting background checks on recruits and staff
members;

-- reforming and activating de-Baathification efforts within
the context of larger national reconciliation efforts;

-- creating a joint committee to assess performance;

-- requiring that those joining the armed forces sever any
existing active party links;

-- listing the names of those known to be linked to
terrorist or militia groups; and

-- forming an office to do security checks and supervise
implementation of the other points. This office would be
linked to the National Vetting Office.


4. (S/REL UK, AUS) On ethno-sectarian balancing, Rubaie said
the committee did not believe that quotas should be
instituted -- recruitment should be based on qualifications
and loyalty to the state. Nevertheless, he said that efforts
should be made to seek an improvement in the balance across
all employment grades. Moreover, he said that efforts to
balance the ministry should go below the division level to
the brigade level. Arguing that the Iraqi Army was generally
a good institution, FM Zebari warned his colleagues not to
allow it to be destroyed in the effort to obtain "balance."


5. (S/REL UK, AUS) Turning to the structure of the MoD,
Rubaie said that the committee had recommended that the
Minister of Defense should be given direct control of the
four operational forces: ground, air, navy, and special
operations. He said that a Chief of Staff position would
remain, but would only be given direct control of the
training and support commands. The Chief of Staff would also
prepare plans and orders for the MinDef's approval. Minister
of State for National Security Waeli said that these
structural changes would require legislation through the
Council of Representative, a point Minister of Interior
Bolani agreed with. When MNF-I Commanding General Casey
noted the real possibility of confusion within this proposed
chain of command, PM Maliki said the GoI was concerned about
the possibility of coups if they consolidated too much power
within the command structures of the uniformed military.
Unlike the Turkish or Pakistani models, the PM said that they
wanted to guarantee "civilian" control of the military.
While acknowledging their concerns, General Casey reiterated
his concerns about the chain of command and asked the
committee to look at the issue again.


6. (S/REL UK, AUS) MCNS members agreed to send the chain of
command issue back to the ministerial committee on security
service reform for further study, but approved the other

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recommendations. Rubaie suggested that the committee should
follow up on the implementation of the recommendations,
perhaps reporting back to the MCNS periodically.
SPECKHARD