DIYALA SUPPORT COMMITTEE NAMES MEMBERS, FORMULATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001035

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2017
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PINR PTER IZ
SUBJECT: DIYALA SUPPORT COMMITTEE NAMES MEMBERS, FORMULATES
A PROGRAM


1. (C) In recent weeks, Baghdad-based Iraqi politicians from
Diyala province have banded together to form a
cross-sectarian group called the Diyala Support Committee
(DSC). Building on efforts started in January and February
(ref A and B),this committee aims to decrease violence in
Diyala through better partnership with Coalition Forces, as
well as improve basic services throughout the province. In a
March 18 meeting, leading DSC and Council of Representatives
(CoR) member Salim al-Jeboori (Sunni, Iraqi Islamic Party)
explained his vision for the organization. The DSC, he said,
will oversee three other groups focused on security
coordination; political and tribal support; and improving
services for the province.


2. (C) The military working group, he said, will be a
coordinated effort with elements from the Iraqi Security
Forces (ISF) in both Diyala and Baghdad, as well, he hoped,
representatives from Coalition Forces. This idea was further
developed in a March 18 meeting between DSC and senior MNF-I
leaders (septel). When asked what type of oversight the DSC
could have over a military coordination group, al-Jeboori
stated that while they would have no operational oversight,
they could assist ) especially if there were Coalition
partners on the committee ) with information as to the
identities and whereabouts of known terrorists, criminals,
insurgents and militia elements.


3. (C) For political and tribal support, al-Jeboori said, the
DSC will focus on encouraging their cooperation and possible
participation with the ISF. The members on the DSC
represent some of the most important tribes in Diyala and
would be able to influence tribal leader cooperation with the
DSC. The tribal leaders would be key facilitators in
encouraging recruitment from Diyala residents into the
provincial police or other ISF. When asked about the
participation within these committees of people currently
living in Diyala, al-Jeboori replied that the provincial
leaders will be able to nominate individuals to participate
in the groups. Finally, al-Jeboori said, there would be a
technical group comprised of civilians only who would explore
solutions to improve services throughout the provinces.


4. (C) Comment. The DSC represents a positive
cross-sectarian effort to focus national-level resources on a
province which suffers from a myriad of security concerns,
including terrorists, insurgents and militias, as well as a
poorly-functioning provincial government. There remain,
however, many questions as to the role the DSC will play.
For example, while the Prime Minister has expressed public
support for the DSC it is unclear what authority they have
beyond serving as a liaison and watchdog committee. It is
equally unclear whether their involvement will be welcomed by
Diyala's Provincial Council or the Governor, especially if
they are seen as more responsive to and effective in
addressing the needs of the population. For now, however,
the Diyala Support Committee's first attempt at supporting
the people of Diyala has been successful as the PM prepares
to send more troops in an effort to eradicate terrorists and
improve stability. End Comment.


5. (C) Biographic note. CoR members representing Diyala (Ref
C) comprise the majority of DSC members. While this may not
represent a complete list, the names below are among the
founding members of the DSC:

Falih al-Fayyad (Shia, Dawa Party): Al-Fayyad is a CoR
member originally from Jadidat al-Shat in Diyala province.
He is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee within CoR
and is also a member of the Higher Commission for National
Reconciliation. Al-Fayyad is reportedly close to the Prime
Minister.

Taha Der'a al-Saadi (Shia, Independent): A CoR member
from al-Khales, al-Saadi identifies himself as an
independent. He is a member of the Regions and Governorates
Committee. He graduated from Baghdad university with a
degree in economics and is a former teacher at the al-Noor
Charitable Organization. He comes from the Shi'a dominated
village of al-Sa'diya, on the western side of Diyala. He
visited Diyala on February 20 where he pressed the Provincial
Council to meet regularly and replace those members no longer
on the PC.

Amer Habib al-Azawi (Sunni, Iraqi Islamic Party):
Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee within CoR,
al-Azawi hails from a family of Azzawi sheikhs based in Dali
Abbas (a town north of the central city of Muqdadiyah). His
family has had a long history in politics (ref C),including
his older brother, now deceased, who was one of the members
of the founding Ba'ath Party Council in the late 1950s.
Another older brother, Nizar, was the paramount sheikh of the
Azza' tribe and former Transitional National Assembly Member.

BAGHDAD 00001035 002 OF 002



Salim al-Jeboori (Sunni, Iraqi Islamic Party): Al-Jaboori is
the deputy chair of CoR's legal committee and a lawyer by
training. A long-time member of the IIP, al-Jeboori is the
party's official spokesperson. Jabbouri was one of the few
Sunnis on the Constitutional drafting committee. He was born
in 1971 in Diyala province, and was a law professor at Diyala
University until he became a CoR member

Mudher Saadun al-Jeboori (Sunni, Iraqi Islamic Party):
According to ref C, Mudher Saadun is the heir apparent to one
of the two most prominent families of Juburi sheikhs in
Diyala. Sheikh Mudhher lives in Muqdadiyah and is a member
of the Agriculture, Water and Marshlands Committee.

Hadi Abdullah al-Tamimi (Shia, Badr): A CoR member on
the Endowment and Religious Affairs Committee,

Najiha al-Habib (Shia, Dawa): A female member of the
CoR, al-Habib is a CoR member on the Martyrs, Victims and
Political Prisoners Office.

Muayad Saber Hameed al-Obaidi (Shia, Dawa Party):
former member of the Transitional National Assembly from the
Dawa Party.

Tariq al-Mindlawi ) Baghdad Provincial Council Civil
Society Chairman.
KHALILZAD