A SUNNI PERSPECTIVE: ADNAN AL-DULAIMI SHARES HIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001781 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ SUBJECT: A SUNNI PERSPECTIVE: ADNAN AL-DULAIMI SHARES HIS VIEW ON SECURITY, IRAN, ELECTIONS REF: BAGHDAD 1605 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. In a May 25 meeting with the Ambassador, Council of Representatives member and Sunni Tawafuq bloc leader Adnan al-Dulaimi (Iraqi People's Conference) discussed the greatest threats Iraq faces - terrorism and sectarianism - and his ideas for solutions. Al-Dulaimi pledged to cooperate with the Ambassador in an effort to solve these problems. Al-Dulaimi warned the Ambassador about increased Iranian interference and identified three simultaneous steps which need to be taken to produce stability: increase political dialogue; address unemployment; and fix critical infrastructure. On the key political priorities, al-Dulaimi cautioned against provincial elections without improved security. He acknowledged progress has been made on constitutional review but predicted difficult discussions with the Kurds on outstanding issues, including Article 140. Finally, al-Dulaimi and his colleague, CoR member Harith al-Ubaydi, raised the issue of detainees citing allegations of corruption, abuse and torture at GOI facilities. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Sectarianism and Terrorism: Biggest Problems Facing Sunnis -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) When asked about the biggest challenges Iraq faces, al-Dulaimi quickly identified sectarianism and terrorism. Discussing sectarianism in Baghdad specifically, but throughout Iraq as well, al-Dulaimi described Iraq's Shia as engaging in an organized campaign to dominate and "put down" the Sunnis. He called on the Ambassador to protect Baghdad's Sunni communities from displacement - forced or voluntary - and called for an end to attacks on mosques. He justified the need for strong "positions" against Shia militias as a preventative to an even "more bitter struggle." The Ambassador noted that the Baghdad Security Plan - Fardh al-Qanoon - has led to the arrest of many Shia militia members and disrupted many militia activities. He asked whether this has made a difference for Baghdad's Sunnis. Al-Dulaimi replied that from time to time there have been periods of improvement but these are followed by a strong attack against Sunnis. Al-Obeidi noted that MNF-I presence in a neighborhood produces a period of improved security, but 
as soon as MNF-I leaves, "the militias return." -------------- -------------- IRANIAN INTERFERENCE: STEPS TOWARDS TOTAL "DOMINATION" -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Al-Dulaimi warned the Ambassador about increasing Iranian interference in Iraq, saying Iran is ready to dominate Iraq. The Ambassador offered his own assessment, agreeing that Iran wants to exert influence but predicting that Iran will be unable to dominate because in general, Iraq's Shia and Sunni leaders alike will refuse Iranian efforts. Al-Dulaimi agreed that most of Iraq's leaders, including Shia officials, understand the dangers of significant Iranian interference, but cautioned that a "strong political entity" works for "Iranian domination" within Iraq. -------------- -------------- THE 3 STEP PLAN: DIALOGUE, UNEMPLOYMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador asked Al-Dulaimi is thoughts on how to address Iraq's problems. Al-Dulaimi identified three elements which are needed to improve government effectiveness, security and economic opportunities: an increase in political discourse leading to more political agreements; repairing critical infrastructure; and fighting unemployment. He predicted that without addressing all three elements Iraqi will continue to struggle. He further noted that currently "none of the three" are in place. Politicians do not agree on anything, he lamented, and "there is no reconciliation, only military power." Repairing infrastructure and addressing unemployment remain critical to long-term stability, and yet due to the security situation they remain neglected, al-Dulaimi said. He urged the Ambassador to work with Iraq's Sunnis to "rescue Iraq" from the "current chaos." -------------- PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS AND TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador asked al-Dulaimi whether he believes provincial elections will help reduce violence, especially in Sunni-dominated provinces. Al-Dulaimi responded negatively, BAGHDAD 00001781 002 OF 002 saying that it will produce tribal struggles against civil administrations. Noting the important role Iraq's tribes play, al-Dulaimi cautioned that they also create problems. Working with tribes is good, he continued, but he is also concerned that the work will be "misled" and could "worsen problems." When again pressed about elections al-Dulaimi responded that without improved security elections will not increase stability. To improve security, al-Dulaimi argued, a strong army is needed. He suggested forming an Army division in Anbar utilizing the experience and expertise of former army officers currently living in Anbar, Jordan and Syria who would be able to fight and defeat al-Qaida Iraq (AQI). -------------- -------------- CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: GOOD PROGRESS BUT PROBLEMS AHEAD -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Using the constitutional review process as an example of political compromise, the Ambassador asked al-Dulaimi's opinion about the constitutional review committee's recently released report (reftel). Al-Dulaimi agreed the report represented progress but noted that key political points such as Article 140 and the authorities of the President have not changed. CoR member Mohammed al-Obeidi interjected that two proposals have been put forth to resolve Article 140. The first calls for a delay of the referendum to determine Kirkuk's future status for a period of "3 to 5 years." The second calls for giving Kirkuk "special" status which would prevent it from joining with another region. Al-Obeidi noted that the problem is not only in Kirkuk, but also in Mosul where Arabs and minority communities such as the Shabbak and Yezidis are complaining about Kurdish expansion. ¶7. (C) The Ambassador asked al-Dulaimi whether the Iraqi People's Conference and Tawafuq have an open dialogue with the Kurds, specifically Masoud Barzani's KDP. Al-Dulaimi responded that previously they had participated in discussions but these stopped "a few months ago." -------------- -------------- DETAINEES: ABUSE CITED, IMPROVED COOPERATION DESIRED -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) Obeidi, Deputy Chair of the CoR's Human Rights Committee raised human rights violations in Iraq noting that his committee and the Ministry of Human Rights have had repeated problems gaining access to prisons. He noted repeated allegations of torture and abuse, as well as inefficient processing of cases. Al-Dulaimi contributed a recommendation that the Ambassador - as a sign of good faith to Iraq's Sunni communities - release some detained in MNF-I prisons. Some of the prisoners, he continued, can be rehabilitated if they are isolated from AQI and other terrorists. The Ambassador responded that the cases of those who are in MNF custody are study diligently so that people who can be released are processed through the system as soon as possible. CROCKER