PRINCE OF THE MARSHES ON MAYSAN'S NOBLE COUNCIL AND SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BASRAH 000142 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/1/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KDEM IZ SUBJECT: PRINCE OF THE MARSHES ON MAYSAN'S NOBLE COUNCIL AND SECURITY SITUATION REF: A) BASRAH 136 B) BASRAH 131 C) BASRAH 114 D) BASRAH 47 E) 05 BASRAH 05 BASRAH 00000142 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) Summary: On August 31, the Regional Coordinator (RC), Deputy RC and poloff met with Abu Hatem and discussed Maysan's Noble Council and the current security situation. Abu Hatem said he established the Maysan Noble Council (MNC) in April to ensure that all segments of the community were represented. The council consists of 141 members representing all sects and groups and is avowedly independent. The MNC acts as an unofficial "advisory" body to the local government. Abu Hatem plans to link up with the Gathering to Save Basrah (see Ref A) and eventually establish an overarching entity for the southern region. On the current security situation in Maysan, Abu Hatem said pointedly that the province was "not ready for transition" to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) due to the poor ability of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to exercise control. End summary. ¶2. (C) Abdul Kareem Mahod (Abu Hatem) discussed the Maysan Noble Council (MNC) and the security situation in the province at the REO on August 31 with the RC, DRC and poloff. Abu Hatem, also known as the "Prince of the Marshes" for his leadership in the struggle against Saddam, was an unsuccessful candidate on the 169 List for the national assembly in January 2006 (see Refs D and E for more information). MAYSAN'S NOBLE COUNCIL ¶3. (C) Abu Hatem said he created the MNC as an "alternative" to the Maysan Provincial Council after the December 2005 election because the Council did not adequately represent the people and was controlled by religious parties and other political parties that had their own agendas. Abu Hatem added that religious figures have too much influence with the political parties on the Council. One of the goals of the MNC is to reduce the 'interference" of clerics in politics. ¶4. (C) The MNC consists of 141 official members, including representatives from the 14 largest tribes in Maysan. Ten of the members are women, all of whom hold professional positions, and Abu Hatem stressed the importance of having independent moderates on the MNC. It is funded by monthly contributions from members of 10,000 Iraqi dinars and donations from members and interested citizens. The MNC has district level offices to ensure it reaches all elements of the community. ¶5. (C) Abu Hatem said that the MNC performs an advisory role to the local government, ensuring that all the voices of Maysan are heard and represented. However, he explained that the local government - and the political parties - views the MNC as a political adversary. For this reason, some members of the Maysan Provincial Council are afraid to speak with members of the MNC. To overcome the lack of engagement with the local government, the MNC's public affairs committee is attempting to increase cooperation by explaining its goals and agenda. Unfortunately, Abu Hatem related, leadership in the MNC brings with it considerable risk; four members have been assassinated and members must travel with two or three bodyguards. ¶6. (C) Abu Hatem said that MNC members would look to support independent candidates not associated with any of the religious parties. He disclaimed any personal aspirations to run for office. Abu Hatem hopes to expand the MNC throughout southern Iraq and is working closely with members of the Gathering to Save Basrah (Ref A). His plans, however, are to move slowly and establish the MNC on a secure footing before developing a regional entity. SECURITY IN MAYSAN - NOT READY FOR PIC ¶7. (C) According to Abu Hatem, continued assassinations, coupled with a police service infiltrated by militias and weak, ineffective Iraqi Army units, are the root causes for the poor security situation in Maysan. He stated unequivocally that he does not believe that the province is ready to transition to PIC in the near future. He emphasized that until there is a new chief of police and army commander, both of who should be independent and from a different province, the situation would not improve. Officers in both services also should be replaced by those without any ideological or religious bias. Abu Hatem cited the recent looting of Camp Abu Naji by local residents as an example of the weakness of the security forces (Note: Coalition Forces vacated Camp Abu Naji on August 24 and the camp was subsequently looted after the Iraqi Army failed to establish its authority. End note.). Abu Hatem opined that if the security forces could not control one small camp, how could they control an entire province. (For recent reports on security in Maysan see Refs B and C) BASRAH 00000142 002.2 OF 002 COMMENT ¶8. (C) Comment: With a reputation for power and influence, Abu Hatem was cordial, open and eager to share his thoughts. He stressed the importance of a good relationship with Coalition Forces and said that he is working for the good of the Iraqis as opposed to personal or political gain. He admitted that his current struggle is different than his years spent fighting Saddam's regime. "Before I was fighting an enemy that I knew but who did not know me. Now I do not know the enemy but they know me very well." The MNC is exerting its influence in Maysan, though it is unclear if this will translate into real political power following provincial elections. But Abu Hatem's Noble Council could become a viable alternative to the entrenched political parties (and militias) in Maysan. And if it and the Gathering to Save Basrah are able to establish themselves on the political scene as important players, the average citizen in Maysan and Basrah provinces may find his voice. End comment. GROSS