C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSUL 000017

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ MARR PINT
SUBJECT: NINEWA POLICE CHIEF CLAIMS REPORTS OF A RISE IN KIDNAPPINGS
AND EXTORTIONS EXAGGERATED

CLASSIFIED BY: Cameron Munter, PRT Leader, Provincial
Reconstruction Team Ninewa, State.
REASON: 1.4 (a), (b), (d)



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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Provincial Chief of Police Wathiq Al Qudir told PRT
Poloff that reports of an increase in the number of kidnappings
and extortions in Mosul are exaggerated. He said rumors that
the crimes are targeted specifically against Kurds and
Chaldo/Assyrians are false, and denied that incidents are as
frequent as many suggest. In actual cases, he claimed there is
a direct link between terrorists and the kidnappers and
extortionists. Al Qudir said he realizes that many victims have
not reported the crimes to the police, and asked for PRT
assistance to help urge the public in Ninewa to do so. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) PRT Poloff met with Provincial Chief of Police (PCOP)
General Wathiq Al Qudir at One West Iraqi Police (IP)
Headquarters in Mosul on February 14.

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RISE IN EXTORTIONS AND KIDNAPPINGS EXAGGERATED
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3. (C) Ninewa PCOP Al Qudir said that reports of a rise in the
number of kidnappings and extortions in Mosul are exaggerated.
He said that in Mosul, news of one or two events travels fast
and results in fear, confusion, and hype. Al Qudir said
allegations that extortions and kidnappings are predominantly
targeting Kurds and minorities, such as Chaldo/Assyrians, are
false. He called the criminals "equal opportunity terrorists,"
and was quick to point out that Sunni Arabs have been targeted
more than any other ethnic group. Al Qudir said he estimates
the number of both extortions and kidnappings reported to the IP
at around 20 so far this year. He said, however, that he did
not have accurate data to verify this.

4. (C) Poloff said many persons who have notified the PRT about
the issue said they did not report the crimes to the IP out of
fear from reprisal. Al Qudir said he is aware of this problem
and is looking into ways to build more trust between the IP and
the community. In the meantime, Al Qudir said he would be happy
to receive reports for these crimes "directly," rather that
through the IP chain of command. He said another problem his
force is facing is that the few victims who have come to the IP
have done so after having already paid the extortionists. Al
Qudir said he believes the IP is very effective in combating
these crimes, but are unable to do so if they are not informed
about them. He asked for PRT assistance to pass this message
along to anyone reporting similar problems in the future.

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TERRORISTS AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY LINKED
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5. (C) Poloff asked if there was a connection between the
terrorists and those committing the extortions and kidnappings,
or if criminals were taking advantage of the security situation
to commit more violent crime. Al Qudir said he sees a direct
link between terrorist activities and the crimes. He claimed
persons who have been arrested recently for extortions and
kidnappings were the "same people" who were arrested before for
terrorist activities. Another complication, according to Al
Qudir, is how quickly the terrorists adjust to new IP techniques
to battle terrorism. Al Qudir said once the IP figure out a new
way to combat improvised explosive devices (IEDs), for example,
the terrorists figure out new ways to plant them, undetected.
He said he is frustrated but anticipates a "never-ending battle"
of this sort to continue for the foreseeable future. Al Qudir
remains confident that his forces can battle against terrorists
and win.

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COMMENT -- POLICE CHIEF'S CREDIBILITY GAP
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6. (C) In office for almost four months now, Al Qudir still
enjoys the support and admiration of most Moslawis as a person,
including Kurds, Sunni Arabs, Shias, and minorities. What Al
Qudir is lacking, however, is the public's "trust" in the IP as
an institution. In conversations with politicians, government
officials, and NGOs, many have told the PRT that they still have
more faith in the ability of the Iraqi Army (IA) to solve
problems and protect the public than the IP. Al Qudir has made
clear to us that he is aware of this problem and is working on
strengthening the IP's rapport with the community. He said he
understands that to bridge this credibility gap he will need to
make the IP more responsive and reliable than it has been in the
past. Although Al Qudir's intentions are good, convincing a
skeptical public otherwise will take time to develop. So far,
we believe he appears to be up to the challenge.
MUNTER