NOVEMBER 19 MCNS: NAJAF TO PIC; BSP TO BE REVIEWED

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004330 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2016 TAGS: IZ MOPS PREL PGOV PTER SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 19 MCNS: NAJAF TO PIC; BSP TO BE REVIEWED Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/REL UK, AUS) SUMMARY: The November 19 meeting of the Ministerial Committee on National Security agreed to transfer security responsibility for Najaf to Iraqi authorities. The Committee also agreed to study the security situation in Diyala, which PM Maliki referred to as being in the hands of the terrorists. The November 14 mass kidnapping at the Ministry of Higher Education led to a discussion of weaknesses in the GOI intelligence, information sharing, and coordination systems. At the suggestion of MNF-I Commanding General Casey, PM Maliki agreed to a review of the Baghdad Security Plan and how it should move forward. END SUMMARY. Provincial Iraqi Control: Najaf to be Transferred -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S/REL UK, AUS) On November 19, Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. Safa'a Rasul informed the Ministerial Committee on National Security (MCNS) that the Joint Committee for the Transfer of Security Responsibility had recommended that security responsibility for Najaf be transferred to Iraqi control. The MCNS agreed to the recommendation. Noting that December 13 was the earliest possible date for the transition ceremony, Dr. Safa'a suggested that a public announcement about the transfer be issued on November 21. Security Situation in Diyala -------------- ¶3. (S/REL UK, AUS) PM Maliki said that Diyala was in the hands of the terrorists, adding that he believed the Iraqi security forces there were insufficient. Complaining that the GOI and MNF had been too reactive in their response the terrorism (they attack and we defend),Maliki said the situation should be studied. Safa'a said that the situation required more than just a military solution, promising to draft a paper that would look at the military, political, and economic dimensions of the problem. The PM said that he planned to meet with the Diyala tribes, which he said were looking to form something like the Salvation Council in al-Anbar province. When Minister of Interior Bolani suggested creating a Security Committee for Diyala, Minister of Defense Abdul Qader Jasim objected. He said that if the GOI continues creating security committees it would destroy the military command system. Minister of Justice al-Shibli argued that Diyala had a "culture of killing" that had resulted in the highest percentage of murders in Iraq over the previous twenty years. Mass Kidnapping Reveals GOI Intel and Coordination Gaps -------------- -------------- ¶4. (S/REL UK, AUS) When Maliki complained about delays in the operations to find the hostages kidnapped from the Ministry of Higher Education on November 14, Abdul Qader said that while there had been some initial problems with coordination follow up had been good. Minister of Interior Bolani said that one of the problems had been that MoI and MoD had launched a large number of operations against targets based on information that was misleading, adding that a national coordination center was needed. The Deputy Director of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service said that the GOI had inadequate mechanism for distributing and following up on intelligence. Maliki said that despite the fact that the GOI had numerous operations centers, there had not been a discernible difference on the ground. Abdul Qader noted, however, that the High Level Working Group was considering proposals for the National Operations Center (NOC) which should significantly improve information sharing and coordination. Safa'a agreed, noting that a proposal for the NOC would be presented to Maliki in two weeks. Baghdad Security Plan Stalled, Needs Review -------------- ¶5. (S/REL UK, AUS) MNF-I Commanding General Casey said that the MCNS members would benefit from taking a broad look at how to move forward with the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP). He suggested that the National Security Advisor's office convene a meeting to work on and submit an integrated Plan that addressed political and economic action, as well as security. Maliki agreed that the "whole" BSP needed to be reviewed, adding that "we cleared areas, but could not maintain security." He also said that that a review should take place of the 28 checkpoints that were instituted around Baghdad. BAGHDAD 00004330 002 OF 002 Abdul Qader said that the checkpoints were manned, but needed logistics to make the self-sustaining. KHALILZAD