PRT TIKRIT: PRO-BAATHIST SHEIKHS FIND ROLE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004408 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM IZ SUBJECT: PRT TIKRIT: PRO-BAATHIST SHEIKHS FIND ROLE IN SECURITY Classified By: PRT Leader Stephanie Miley, for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Tikrit, Salah ad Din (SaD) cable. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY. At a joint PRT-SaD Sheikhs Council meeting, provincial tribal sheikhs expressed their frustration with the political process, saying "they could not support a government that does not support them." They blamed the current security situation on the dismantling of the former Iraqi Army and on the militias. They openly called themselves Baathists and termed Saddam Hussien's sentence - not verdict - as unfair, saying they "weep to find a dictator like Saddam." While the current elected provincial leaders successfully focused the meeting on the sheikhs' role in security for their communities, it is clear that democracy has not taken hold among SaD's tribal sheikhs and that the Baath Party and Saddam still enjoy broad support. If a strong autocratic Sunni figure emerged on the political scene, he would likely garner SaD sheikhs' support. However, the meeting provided an excellent starting point for our discussions with the tribal leaders. They are willing to talk to us, and they realize that a political solution - not a military one - is needed for Iraq to progress. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) Over 30 tribal sheikhs from throughout the province expressed their opinions on the current state of play in Iraq, at a November 22 joint PRT- SaD tribal Sheikhs Council meeting. The event was led by SaD Governor Hamad Hamoud al Shakti, Provincial Council (PC) Chair Sheikh Rasheed Ossman, Sheikhs Council Chair Ahmed Naji Hasan, and the PRT Team Leader. -------------- On Security -------------- ¶4. (C) SaD's tribal sheikhs blamed Iraq's current security problems on the dismantling of the former Iraqi Army, the hasty recruitment and training of the current IA, and the presence of militias. While they see security as the responsibility of the American military (NOTE: They persistently used "American military" rather than "Coalition Forces." Only U.S. military forces are present in SaD. END NOTE.),they said that CPA's error in disbanding the former IA caused two problems. First, it forced Iraq to recruit and train a new military very quickly, which is comprised of personnel unable to respond effectively to the current security situation. Second, it caused the economic downswing in the province because so many of the province's residents were active or retired military officials, who have been denied pensions. To bring the present security crisis under control, they said all militias must be dismantled. They also opined "there would be no security without the Baathists." ¶5. (C) Several sheikhs also commented that the USG should differentiate between terrorists (i.e. AQIZ and other foreign elements) and insurgents. The sheikhs said they completely reject the presence of terrorists in the province and are willing to assist in their removal. However, they asserted that they see insurgents as rightfully trying to defend the province, especially when "the government does not support" the residents of SaD. -------------- On the Baath Party and Saddam -------------- ¶6. (C) Stating "they could not support a government that does not support them," many of the sheikhs openly professed that they were Baathists. Speaking to the current situation in their communities, without basic municipal services and with price increases in fuel, they said the Baath Party was better than all of the new political parties at "taking care of Iraq's people." They also questioned how Iraq could be a true multiparty democracy if the Baath Party was prohibited from participation in the elections. They strongly advocated a repeal of all deBaathification regulations, while indicating that they did not see insurgents as terrorists. BAGHDAD 00004408 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) Claiming they "weep to find a dictator like Saddam," they said Saddam's sentence - not the verdict - was unfair. They made overtures about Saddam's death sentence being a violation of human rights and sought U.S. intervention to stop a sentence "unbecoming of a leader in this region." -------------- From the Elected Provincial Leaders -------------- ¶8. (C) The Governor, PC Chair, and Sheikhs Council Chair all made conciliatory remarks and refocused the meeting on the individual sheikh's role in maintaining security in his community. They echoed the sheikhs' concerns about reviewing debaathification, while also highlighting the provincial government's progress in a number of areas. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) Though out of step with the tribal sheikhs, the provincial government leadership did much to build consensus on the sheikhs' role in making their communities safe. However, it is clear that democracy has not taken hold among many of SaD's tribal sheikhs and that the Baath Party and Saddam still enjoy broad support. If a strong autocratic Sunni figure emerged on the political scene, it is likely he would garner SaD sheikhs' support. Some sheikhs appeared unhappy with the PRT Leader?s comments that it was wrong to make a distinction between terrorists and ?resistance fighters?, as the violence rending Iraqi society from any group was inimical to security and economic stability. That said, the meeting provided an excellent starting point for our discussions with tribal leaders. Bright spots were comments from a few sheikhs that demanded that they all take personal responsibility for the actions that occurred within in their tribes and areas. They are willing to talk to us, and they realize that a political solution - not a military one - is needed for Iraq to progress. END COMMENT. ¶10. (U) For additional reporting from PRT Tikrit, Salah ad Din, please see our SIPRNET Reporting Blog: http://blogs.csp.sgov.gov/blojsom/blog/ salahaddin/. SCOBEY