IRAQI PRESIDENT TALABANI'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004673 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PTER IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI PRESIDENT TALABANI'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BAGHDAD SECURITY -- EMBASSY INFORMAL TRANSLATION Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khlilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Summary: President Jalal Talabani provided in Arabic a list of his recommendations for Baghdad security, during a December 20 meeting with Secretary of Defense Gates and the Ambassador (septel). Among other recommendations, Talabani calls for a unified Iraqi military command in Baghdad; the development of strong, non-sectarian Iraqi forces, improved checkpoints, the expansion of secure areas in Baghdad, and reliance on the Iraqi people to help find solutions for bringing down the violence. Embassy provides informal translation of the document below. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Begin informal translation of President Talabani's untitled list of recommendations for Baghdad Security given to Secretary Gates: "First: ¶1. Decisive Unified Central Command ¶2. Special Forces (Emergency) in addition to existing forces ¶3. One uniform ¶4. One type of weapon ¶5. One type of vehicle ¶6. Common Communication ¶7. Weapon and explosive detection equipment ¶8. Strong check points at the entrances of Baghdad ¶9. Strong check points at the entrances on the bridges in Baghdad ¶10. Check points at the entrances and exits of neighborhoods ¶11. Removal of the Presidency and the Prime Minister's Offices from the Green Zone. Removal of the Ministers from the Green Zone and distribution of their Guards for guarding the building of the Ministry and the surrounding areas ¶12. Joint Military Supervision of Protection Companies for maximum benefit from its elements. Good distribution of its elements ¶13. Selecting Iraqi Military Units (The Army) and the Police from Forces which have been tested and proven capable of confronting terrorism Second: ¶1. Relying on the people of the areas and cooperation with them. ¶2. Parties which are members of Coalition should work, each in the area of its influence, for the success of the plan and guide, and cooperate with, the forces ¶3. Forming regular new Police Forces or National Guards in various areas through the parties of a Coalition and making them responsible for the success of work Third: ¶1. Strengthening and expanding the Republican Guards ¶2. Strengthening the units which have been tested in the field such as the 36 Brigade ¶3. Training sufficient forces for the two Deputies of the President and enabling them to defend the area they live in outside the green zone ¶4. Permitting the President of the Republics to bring a regular Peshmerga Brigade until the expansion and strengthening operation is completed. Fourth: ¶1. Forming a joint Service Committee made up of the apparatus of the parties which are members in a Coalition for information gathering and monitoring of movements of outlaw elements ¶2. To benefit from the public: those who are angry with the terrorists and all the outlaw elements. ¶3. Maximum benefiting from elements inside the outlaw organizations. ¶4. Benefiting from tribes loyal to the State Fifth: ¶1. Iraqi forces are to cooperate closely and coordinate fully without any insensitivity with coalition forces. ¶2. In raids, challenges and attacks on the outlaw elements, Iraqis should be at the front and in confrontation, the coalition is behind it and in support. Sixth: Raids and investigations in the ministries: ¶1. Should be by an order and with the approval of the Prime Minister -against the armed gangs BAGHDAD 00004673 002 OF 002 ¶2. Should be with the approval of the judiciary or the military governor for raids and investigations to arrest suspects. ¶3. The Prime Minister assumes the position of General Military Governor. ¶4. The Prime Minister appoints governors general in the areas immediately under his command to supervise the implementation of plans. ¶5. The military governors are to be present in the areas of their missions, and should have a (company) of special forces under his command. Seventh: ¶A. Controlling the roads leading to Baghdad a. Uthaim - AlKhliss - Baghdad b. Ba'cuba- Jalawla' - Khaniquin c. Baghdad - Balad - Tikrit d. Baghdad - Ramadi - Jordan e. Baghdad - Hilla - Karbala - Najaf f. Baghdad - Za'faraniya - Kut g. Baghdad - Yousifiya - Latifiya - Mahmoudiya ¶B. To make use of volunteer forces to accomplish these tasks ¶C. To make use of the tribal forces and the Peshmarga ¶D. To make use of the population in the areas close to the road" END TRANSLATION. KHALILZAD