Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1479
2007-05-02 05:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ADHAMIYA WALL DIVIDES POLITICIANS FROM REALITY IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2856 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1479/01 1220528 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 020528Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0997 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001479
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ADHAMIYA WALL DIVIDES POLITICIANS FROM REALITY IN
BAGHDAD
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Margaret Scobey
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001479
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ADHAMIYA WALL DIVIDES POLITICIANS FROM REALITY IN
BAGHDAD
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Margaret Scobey
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1.(U) This is a Baghdad PRT Cable.
2.(C) Summary: The security barrier in Adhamiya is
generating a great deal of controversy in the press and
provoking widespread condemnation of 'wall-building' in
Baghdad. Comments from Baghdad's leaders and residents
indicate that this controversy is largely one of political
rhetoric, and not genuinely about enforced sectarian
division in Baghdad's neighborhoods. While Baghdad's
highest-ranking leaders have roundly criticized the
Adhamiya wall, local leaders and residents have stated
their belief that barriers are indeed helping to secure
their neighborhoods. End Summary.
--------------
Walls are a good idea before Cairo
--------------
3. (C) On April 22, prior to the Prime Minister's remarks
in Cairo regarding the Adhamiya wall, PRTOff discussed the
Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) with Baghdad Provincial Council
Chairman Mueen al-Khademi (SCIRI). During the discussion,
Mueen expressed interest in the security barrier being
emplaced in Adhamiya and asked for details on its
construction and progress. He noted that he had received a
request from a local council leader in Adhamiya that the
barrier be extended an additional five kilometers along a
route that would connect with the Army Canal; this would
effectively make large portions of the Tunis and Shamasiya
neighborhoods completely bounded by either a barrier or the
canal. Mueen was unsure where the resources to build such
a barrier would come from, and asked for PRT assistance in
coordinating with the military to complete the wall.
-------------- -
The rhetoric: An American project to divide us
-------------- -
4. (C) The next day, Monday April 23, Chairman Mueen was
quoted in local media (Voice of Iraq) as being extremely
critical of efforts to build walls around Adhamiya; he
stated that American forces should be finding other ways to
fight the terrorists. Building walls around Iraqi
neighborhoods will have 'negative psychological effects'
and will contribute to more sectarianism. He was quoted as
calling for increased intelligence gathering as a more
effective way to eliminate Baghdad's armed groups. (Note:
Mueen departed for a trip to Jordan and could not be
reached to discuss his statements.)
5. (C) Baghdad Governor Hussein al-Tahan told PRTOff on
April 26 that the construction of the security barrier in
Adhamiya was widely believed to be an American project,
intended to divide Baghdad's different sectarian
communities. Governor al-Tahan saw no reason to disabuse
Iraqis of that false impression, and claimed that it looked
bad for Iraqis to 'look like other countries that have
walls'. Governor al-Tahan has been briefed on the Baghdad
Security Plan numerous times over the past weeks and knows
full well that security barriers are being emplaced in
different parts of the city as part of the Iraqi-led
security initiative.
-------------- ---
Baghdadis see walls differently than politicians
-------------- ---
6. (C) Statements from other local leaders indicate a clear
divide between those who see barriers as enhancing the
security of their neighborhoods, and the higher-ranking
politicians who claim that such barriers are part of an
American project to divide Iraqi society. Candidly,
several Baghdad leaders expressed support for barriers, but
indicated that politically it would be dangerous for them
to voice that opinion openly.
7. (C) Attending the weekly Baghdad Provincial Council
Security Committee meeting, Adhamiya District Council
representative Abd al-Kareem al-Saedi stated that the
barriers currently under construction in Adhamiya were both
effective and welcomed by residents, and the military
should not stop their planned construction. Al-Saedi
stated that 'Arab media' had blown the issue out of
proportion. Adhamiya District Council member Hassan Khalid
said that there were both advantages and disadvantages to
the construction of the barrier; it would be more difficult
for him to visit relatives on the other side, but it would
also prevent militia groups from entering central Adhamiya,
in his view.
BAGHDAD 00001479 002 OF 002
8. (C) Baghdad Provincial Council member Tariq Bakash
(Da'wa) said that even though they might increase traffic
jams, some parts of Baghdad needed barriers as a temporary
way to increase security in some neighborhoods. Provincial
Council administrative staff member Rasoul Rasan said that
he personally believed walls were necessary in parts of the
city. He also stated that he had heard PC members talking
about the Adhamiya wall and one of them said that he
supported the construction of the wall, but he couldn't say
that on the news because he would be 'wanted in Adhamiya'
if he said such a thing.
9. (C) Sadr City official Mohammed Chalab went so far as to
state that al-Maliki's statement in Cairo was 'a mistake',
and that Iraqi politicians were falling in behind him to
'protect' him. Chalab said that it was obvious that
barriers were the right way to secure Baghdad, and the most
expedient way for Iraqi politicians to get the walls they
want and not be compared to Israel is to blame the US for
their construction.
--------------
Comment: Rhetoric different than reality
--------------
10. (C) Comment. Baghdad's provincial leadership has
largely followed the lead of national and regional leaders
who have condemned the construction of the security barrier
in Adhamiya as an American-driven program to widen the
sectarian divisions within Baghdad society, while local
leaders and residents continue to report that the barriers
in their neighborhoods are improving security. This
disconnect indicates that a political nerve has been hit,
and the most expedient way for provincial leaders to pass
the buck is to blame the US. While strident rhetoric about
barriers in Adhamiya may circulate in the press, most
residents of Baghdad feel that good T-walls make good
neighbors. End Comment.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: ADHAMIYA WALL DIVIDES POLITICIANS FROM REALITY IN
BAGHDAD
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Margaret Scobey
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1.(U) This is a Baghdad PRT Cable.
2.(C) Summary: The security barrier in Adhamiya is
generating a great deal of controversy in the press and
provoking widespread condemnation of 'wall-building' in
Baghdad. Comments from Baghdad's leaders and residents
indicate that this controversy is largely one of political
rhetoric, and not genuinely about enforced sectarian
division in Baghdad's neighborhoods. While Baghdad's
highest-ranking leaders have roundly criticized the
Adhamiya wall, local leaders and residents have stated
their belief that barriers are indeed helping to secure
their neighborhoods. End Summary.
--------------
Walls are a good idea before Cairo
--------------
3. (C) On April 22, prior to the Prime Minister's remarks
in Cairo regarding the Adhamiya wall, PRTOff discussed the
Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) with Baghdad Provincial Council
Chairman Mueen al-Khademi (SCIRI). During the discussion,
Mueen expressed interest in the security barrier being
emplaced in Adhamiya and asked for details on its
construction and progress. He noted that he had received a
request from a local council leader in Adhamiya that the
barrier be extended an additional five kilometers along a
route that would connect with the Army Canal; this would
effectively make large portions of the Tunis and Shamasiya
neighborhoods completely bounded by either a barrier or the
canal. Mueen was unsure where the resources to build such
a barrier would come from, and asked for PRT assistance in
coordinating with the military to complete the wall.
-------------- -
The rhetoric: An American project to divide us
-------------- -
4. (C) The next day, Monday April 23, Chairman Mueen was
quoted in local media (Voice of Iraq) as being extremely
critical of efforts to build walls around Adhamiya; he
stated that American forces should be finding other ways to
fight the terrorists. Building walls around Iraqi
neighborhoods will have 'negative psychological effects'
and will contribute to more sectarianism. He was quoted as
calling for increased intelligence gathering as a more
effective way to eliminate Baghdad's armed groups. (Note:
Mueen departed for a trip to Jordan and could not be
reached to discuss his statements.)
5. (C) Baghdad Governor Hussein al-Tahan told PRTOff on
April 26 that the construction of the security barrier in
Adhamiya was widely believed to be an American project,
intended to divide Baghdad's different sectarian
communities. Governor al-Tahan saw no reason to disabuse
Iraqis of that false impression, and claimed that it looked
bad for Iraqis to 'look like other countries that have
walls'. Governor al-Tahan has been briefed on the Baghdad
Security Plan numerous times over the past weeks and knows
full well that security barriers are being emplaced in
different parts of the city as part of the Iraqi-led
security initiative.
-------------- ---
Baghdadis see walls differently than politicians
-------------- ---
6. (C) Statements from other local leaders indicate a clear
divide between those who see barriers as enhancing the
security of their neighborhoods, and the higher-ranking
politicians who claim that such barriers are part of an
American project to divide Iraqi society. Candidly,
several Baghdad leaders expressed support for barriers, but
indicated that politically it would be dangerous for them
to voice that opinion openly.
7. (C) Attending the weekly Baghdad Provincial Council
Security Committee meeting, Adhamiya District Council
representative Abd al-Kareem al-Saedi stated that the
barriers currently under construction in Adhamiya were both
effective and welcomed by residents, and the military
should not stop their planned construction. Al-Saedi
stated that 'Arab media' had blown the issue out of
proportion. Adhamiya District Council member Hassan Khalid
said that there were both advantages and disadvantages to
the construction of the barrier; it would be more difficult
for him to visit relatives on the other side, but it would
also prevent militia groups from entering central Adhamiya,
in his view.
BAGHDAD 00001479 002 OF 002
8. (C) Baghdad Provincial Council member Tariq Bakash
(Da'wa) said that even though they might increase traffic
jams, some parts of Baghdad needed barriers as a temporary
way to increase security in some neighborhoods. Provincial
Council administrative staff member Rasoul Rasan said that
he personally believed walls were necessary in parts of the
city. He also stated that he had heard PC members talking
about the Adhamiya wall and one of them said that he
supported the construction of the wall, but he couldn't say
that on the news because he would be 'wanted in Adhamiya'
if he said such a thing.
9. (C) Sadr City official Mohammed Chalab went so far as to
state that al-Maliki's statement in Cairo was 'a mistake',
and that Iraqi politicians were falling in behind him to
'protect' him. Chalab said that it was obvious that
barriers were the right way to secure Baghdad, and the most
expedient way for Iraqi politicians to get the walls they
want and not be compared to Israel is to blame the US for
their construction.
--------------
Comment: Rhetoric different than reality
--------------
10. (C) Comment. Baghdad's provincial leadership has
largely followed the lead of national and regional leaders
who have condemned the construction of the security barrier
in Adhamiya as an American-driven program to widen the
sectarian divisions within Baghdad society, while local
leaders and residents continue to report that the barriers
in their neighborhoods are improving security. This
disconnect indicates that a political nerve has been hit,
and the most expedient way for provincial leaders to pass
the buck is to blame the US. While strident rhetoric about
barriers in Adhamiya may circulate in the press, most
residents of Baghdad feel that good T-walls make good
neighbors. End Comment.
SPECKHARD