C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000147

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: BADR CHIEF ON SECURITY AND RECONSTRUCTION

REF: BASRAH 65

CLASSIFIED BY: Ken Gross, Regional Coordinator, REO Basrah, DOS.

REASON: 1.4 (b)


1. (C) Summary: The Regional Coordinator (RC) and Deputy RC
met with Badr Organization chief and Basrah Provincial Council
member Hassan al-Rashid on September 11 to discuss the security
environment and the current state of political affairs.
Al-Rashid spoke at length on his practical views of federalism
(to be reported septel) and added that the security climate had
not appreciably improved since the Prime Minister's Security
Committee took over responsibility for the city. He maintained
that the same Iraq Security Forces that were sworn to uphold the
law are breaking it. He stressed that Basrah's reconstruction
projects must continue and requested an update on the
construction of the Basrah Children's Hospital. End summary.

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SECURITY AND POLICE CHIEF
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2. (C) In a September 11 meeting with the RC and DRC, Badr
chief Hassan al-Rashid discussed the current state of political
affairs. He said that the security situation had not improved,
or "only a little" since PM Maliki's created a Security
Committee, headed by Major General Ali Hammadi, to restore some
semblance of security to Basrah. Al-Rashid added that the
"security problems are caused by the local government" and that
security forces, particularly the Serious Crimes Unit of the
Iraqi police, are the major offenders. Pointing to the
corruption within the police force and noting that tribal
involvement is part of the problem, al-Rashid told the RC that
he would support a military operation that would help stabilize
the security situation within the city. When queried about the
appointment of a permanent police chief for Basrah, al-Rashid
said that no names had been submitted yet to the Ministry of
Interior - the BPC is waiting for the de-Ba'athification
Committee to review the names of potential candidates.

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Confusion in the BPC and Elections
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3. (C) Al-Rashid said that within the Basrah Provincial Council
there is "a lot of confusion" and that members are clueless at
times. He cited the Security Committee taking control and the
lack of movement on reconstruction projects as example of the
Council's bewilderment and lack of direction. (Note: al-Rashid
was clearly frustrated with the Council's lack of vigor in
presenting possible reconstruction projects.) He noted that he
still believes provincial elections will be held at the end of
this year or at the beginning of the next, but declined to
discuss election strategy or the possibility of creating voting
blocs because it is "too early."

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Basrah Children's Hospital
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4. (SBU) Al-Rashid asked the RC for an update on the
construction of the Basrah Children's Hospital. Citing local
stories of an interrupted construction and lack of funds, he
pointed out that the hospital is very important to the people of
Basrah. The RC gave al-Rashid general background on the current
state of affairs of the construction and offered to have the
Army Corps of Engineers project representative brief him.


5. (C) Comment: As usual, Hassan al-Rashid provided thoughtful
responses to the many questions asked him, even if the answers
were not as illuminating as desired. He leads the Badr/SCIRI
parties in Basrah and is a good contact of the REO. (See
reftel.) His comments about the ineptitude of the Basrah
Provincial Council are spot on and are an example of his
frustration over the dilly-dallying that is characteristic of
the Council. Hassan al-Rashid remains the most professional of
the politicians in Basrah. End Comment.

GROSS