THE DISILLUSIONED MINDEF DULIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000989

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2016
TAGS: MOPS PREL PINS MARR IZ
SUBJECT: THE DISILLUSIONED MINDEF DULIME

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission David C. Litt for reasons
1.4 (a),(b),and (d)


1. (C//REL GBR AUS) SUMMARY. In a March 19 meeting with
Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I)
Lieutenant General Dempsey and Acting PolMilCouns, Iraqi
Minister of Defense Sadoun Al-Dulime, accompanied by Iraqi
Commanding General Babakir Zibari, discussed his
disillusionment with the current state of Iraq. He described
the political party leaders as self-interested individuals
whose use of ethno-sectarian platforms are increasingly
dividing the nation. When asked what the obstacles are to
improving security, Dulime listed three problems that must be
overcome. He stressed the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) must
gain the confidence of the Iraqi people, the Iraqi Facility
Protection Services (FPS) and private security details must
be better regulated, and militias must be dealt with now and
with firm resolve. He stressed that, of the militias, the
Sadrist-backed Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) is causing the most
concern and presents the biggest threat to Iraq. Neither
Dulime nor Babakir believes that enforcing the weapons ban in
Baghdad would improve the situation. JAM and others would
simply ignore it, drawing the Iraqi government into direct
confrontation. END SUMMARY.

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Blame Goes to the Politicos
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2. (C//REL GBR AUS) Dulime is frustrated with the political
party leaders in charge of forming a unity government. He
blames them for the current state of high tension. He
complains these politicos are not nationalists but rather
Sunni and Shia extremists pursuing "personal interests and
agendas." If moderates do not come to the forefront, Dulime
believes the nation is doomed to more chaos.


3. (C//REL GBR AUS) Dulime complained this extremist
mentality is increasingly seeping into the Iraqi populace.
He spoke of the growing number of Sunni tribal leaders and
citizens who come to his office asking him to employ the
military specifically for the Sunni people. When he explains
that his forces are to protect all Iraqis, they respond the
Shia do not need defense, as they all have their own
militias. Despite his dismay, Dulime assured Dempsey he
would continue to encourage unity with those he meets. He
also mentioned that he will be holding a security conference
next week for both Shia and Sunni tribal leaders as a way to
bridge differences.


4. (C//REL GBR AUS) Coalition advisors to Dulime have
reported to us in separate meetings of his frustration with
the increasing number of visits by Sunnis complaining about
"the Shia". As an example, the advisor described a recent
meeting with Sunni National Dialogue leader Adnan Dulaimi, in
which Dulaimi essentially told MinDef that the Sunnis should
band together and fight the Shia. Dulaimi explained that the
regional Sunni population is much larger than the Shia, and
Sunnis would be eager to unite and defeat the Shia.
According to the advisor, after Dulaimi's departure MinDef
was furious and completely shocked at the intensity of the
ethno-sectarian division. MinDef explained how ludicrous
people are getting and how this is not like Iraqis, who for
centuries have married across religious, sectarian, and
ethnic lines. He himself is married to a Shia.

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Top Three Obstacles to Achieving Security
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5. (C//REL BRG AUS) According to Dulime, the ISF face three
obstacles to establishing a secure Iraq. The first problem
is the lack of trust in the ISF by the Iraqi public. He
opined that, given Iraqi history, the current ethno-sectarian
divisions, and the levels of competency among the ISF, it
will be difficult to win the confidence of the Iraqi people.
He and Dempsey concurred that the training and equipping
program must continue without delay and that focusing on
recruiting Iraqis of all backgrounds remains critical.


6. (C//REL GBR AUS) The second problem is the unregulated
Facility Protection Services (FPS). These poorly trained
"police" forces assigned to, and controlled by, individual
ministries number over 150,000 personnel, which Dulime
pointed out means they outnumber Iraqi Army forces. They
wear uniforms that closely resemble Iraqi police uniforms and
are equipped with vehicles that look like police cars.
Dulime asserted that many of these forces are loyal only to
their own ministers and are committing violent and illegal
attacks that are then attributed to the ISF. He said that
immediate steps must be taken to bring them under control.


7. (C//REL GBR AUS) Contributing to this problem are the
unregulated personal security details. This flourishing
business also puts thousands of poorly regulated and
controlled armed individuals on the streets. At this time,
there is no one central authority for management, regulation,
and certification. Because of this, according to Dulime,
these forces are running amok. He complained that many in
this business abuse their positions by intimidating and using
violence against the public. He complained that they are
loyal only to their employers and will do their bidding
without regard to the law.


8. (C//REL GBR AUS) The militias are the third barrier to
advancing security. Dulime stressed that outlawing and
enforcing the ban on militias are necessary. He and Babakir
agreed that JAM was the biggest problem and the main militia
threat to society. Babakir piped up at one point and said
just give him the word and he would direct the army to go
into Sadr city and wipe JAM out. Dulime and Dempsey
cautioned against such action. Dempsey asked whether it
would be a good step to have the Prime Minister make a public
announcement reminding Iraqis of the weapons control measures
and stressing ISF would be cracking down, especially in
Baghdad. Dulime and Babakir responded that such a move would
not be useful, and in fact it would be counterproductive.
They surmised the announcement would be ignored, forcing the
ISF into direct confrontation with JAM and other militias.
Dulime made clear that he would not allow Iraqi Army weapons
to be turned on Iraqis unless they were terrorists.


9. (C//REL GBR AUS) COMMENT. Dulime is not a major player in
the political scene. He considers himself an independent
with no ties to political parties or alliances. Despite his
frustration with the current government situation, we
understand he is still very interested in remaining MinDef
once the new government is formed. However, the chance of
this happening is slim, because, by playing it straight and
by participating in a Shia-dominated government at a time
when most Sunnis were boycotting it, he has alienated himself
from the Sunni political mainstream which largely considers
him a traitor to the Sunni cause. His knowledge of this
alienation and of his poor prospects for remaining in office
must also color his attitude and remarks to us.
KHALILZAD