PM DISCUSSES INTEL CHIEF'S RETURN TO IRAQ,

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004387

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PM DISCUSSES INTEL CHIEF'S RETURN TO IRAQ,
SECURITY TRANSFER WITH AMBASSADOR

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to take
steps that would allow Iraqi intelligence chief Mohammed
al-Shahwani to return to Iraq without fear of arrest because
of an indictment based on debunked charges. MNF-I CG Casey
expressed concern with the PM about accelerating the transfer
of authority of security in three provinces where militias
have substantial influence over police. The PM reiterated
his understanding that Coalition Forces would remain close by
in case they need to intervene. End Summary.

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Intelligence Chief's Possible Return
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2. (S) The Ambassador expressed separate concern to PM about
the situation involving Iraqi National Intelligence Service
(INIS) chief Mohammed Abdullah al-Shahwani, who is staying
outside the country due to fallacious charges against him.
The Ambassador underscored that the charges have no merit and
described the situation as having a negative impact on the
INIS. The judge responsible for the case reportedly planned
to interview and immediately arrest Shahwani if he returns to
the country. The motive would be to use Shahwani's detention
to negotiate favorable outcomes in other cases. The
Ambassador asked the PM to ensure al-Shahwani was able to
return to Iraq without fear of arrest. If the PM planned to
replace Shahwani during the process, the Ambassador asked
that this be done in an honest and straightforward manner,
preferably to include allowing Shahwani to serve three more
months in government until he is able to retire.


3. (S) PM Maliki replied that he had reviewed Shahwani's file
and seen no evidence to indicate Shahwani should be indicted
or detained. In order to ensure no questions with regard to
judicial independence, he said he had referred the file to
the Higher Judicial Council for review. Given the lack of
evidence, he expressed confidence that Shahwani would be able
to return to Iraq and that the judicial process through its
channels would ensure justice and that Shahwani was not
detained or tried. The PM committed to ask the Higher
Judicial Council president to interview the judge in the case
to ensure the process is honest. PM Maliki encouraged
Shahwani to return to Iraq as soon as possible.

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CG Casey: Concerns about PIC
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4. (S) MNF-I CG Casey told the Prime Minister that he wanted
to cover three points before the Amman meeting. First, he
remained committed to the acceleration of Iraqi control over
security and the building of the Iraqi armed forces. He felt
uncomfortable, however, with upcoming transfers of Provincial
Iraqi Control (PIC) in the provinces of Maysan, Wasit, and
Qadisiyah, where there is clear militia influence with the
police. Without recourse in dealing with the militias in
these provinces, the entire process for the transfer of
authority could become unhinged. The Prime Minister
underscored that it remained his understanding while
Coalition Forces would be redeploying from the frontlines
during the process, they would remain close to intervene if
necessary. CG Casey emphasized that the transfer of forces
to Iraqi control is linked to reconciliation; a delay could
put those efforts at risk.
KHALILZAD