BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN EXECUTIVE STEERING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002467 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2017 TAGS: ECON IZ MOPS PGOV SUBJECT: BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE, JULY 20 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On July 20, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki chaired the Baghdad Security Plan (Fardh al Qanoon - FAQ) Executive Steering Committee (I-ESC). The meeting featured a wide ranging discussion of Government of Iraq (GOI) media activities with a common consensus that a major increase in effectiveness is needed. Also discussed were recent accomplishments against Al Qaeda elements and predictions of more intense fighting to come in the weeks leading up to the September Congressional Benchmark Report. End Summary. DISCUSSION OF FAQ MEDIA ACTVITIES -------------- ¶2. (C) PM Maliki stated that "the media war is now 75% of the battle versus extremists," and noted that, while FAQ is making progress in some areas of Baghdad, it was of extreme importance that the GOI improve its media activities. However, PM Maliki stopped short of a request from the NSA I-ESC secretariat to appoint one person as the central coordinator for the 4 current GOI members who are involved in FAQ related media activities. (Note: These include: Military Spokesman Kassim Atta; I-ESC Communications Chair Yaseen Majeed; GOI Spokesman Ali Dabbagh, who is mainly involved with national media issues; and FAQ new Civilian Spokesman Dr. Tahseen Sheekly. End Note.) Instead, PM Maliki urged that the various media efforts become more active and that such a decision must be reviewed after an improved effort to plan and work together. However, Maliki also stated, if more productive media activities were not forthcoming, media committee members would be "exchanged." ¶3. (C) Current GOI media activities, particularly those of I-ESC Communications Committee Chair Yaseen Majeed who was absent from the meeting, were criticized by a number of members, including a representative of VP Adel Abdel Mehdi's Office who stated that Iraqi media is failing to show the heroic efforts of Iraqi Security Forces and to show cultural activities in Baghdad. (Comment. Majeed is viewed as ineffective and problematic by both MNF-I and Embassy Baghdad. It is a positive sign that PM Maliki is supportive of the I-ESC recommendation to appoint Sheekly as Civilian Spokesman to discuss non-security FAQ issues. End Comment.) ¶4. (C) General Petraeus welcomed the efforts of PM Maliki and the I-ESC to increase and improve media activities. He recommended that such media activities be "coordinated, quick, honest, admit failures, and provide details into how failures will be overcome in the future." General Petraeus also restated a standing offer to have the MNF-I provide support to GOI media activities. ¶5. (C) FAQ Civilian Spokesman Sheekly briefly discussed some of his plans to increase the focus of FAQ media on civilian and service issues. In response to a statement from one of his Political Advisors that a Civilian Spokesman was not needed, PM Maliki stated his support for Sheekly and that his position is important because he is a non-government figure who can speak to the people in other than the military terms. BRIEFING BY CHAIRMAN OF BAGHDAD PROVINCIAL COUNCILS -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) The Chairman of the Baghdad Provincial Councils (CBPC),Mueen al-Khathimi, gave an update on numerous activities of the Baghdad Governorate including: a forthcoming mass wedding ceremony (200 couples will be wed in a public park and receive 500,000 Iraqi Dinars),installing 200 security cameras, providing funds for individuals displaced because of terrorism, distributing 100 electrical generators to harmed areas, and buying blackboards for schools. ¶7. (C) The CBPC also requested that PM Maliki ask the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) to increase its coordination with his organization with regard to security operations in Baghdad. PM Maliki asked General Aboud about the BOCs coordination and reporting and Aboud stated that all daily military operations are written in a report and circulated to the GOI. General Aboud invited people who are criticizing the BOC to visit the BOC and see how it was functioning. (Comment. It seems that what the CBPC is requesting is a presence at the table when the BOC is deciding upon targets. PM Maliki asked General Aboud "to increase coordination" but the manner did not indicate a granting of the CBPC request. End Comment.) DISCUSSION OF AL QAEDA AND SEPTEMBER BENCHMARK DEADLINE -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) Popular Mobilization committee chair Dr. Ahmad Chalabi BAGHDAD 00002467 002 OF 002 commented that significant amounts of Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leaders are being killed which will result in increased numbers of new foreign AQI leaders attempting to enter Iraq. In response, General Petraeus agreed with Dr. Chalabi's assessment and highlighted that MNF-I had recently conducted 62 special operations resulting in 18 AQI killed and 182 captured. ¶9. (C) General Petraeus briefed the I-ESC on a recent video teleconference he had with leaders of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. Petraeus stated that Surge Operations have achieved tactical momentum that needs to be built upon. General Petraeus also offered to make some MNF-I intelligence available to a forthcoming GOI delegation to Damascus -- the intelligence is about foreign fighters passing through Syria. ¶10. (C) Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stated that, although security efforts are going well, extremists fighting Iraq will likely increase their activities in the weeks before the September US Congressional Benchmark report. Zebari also stated that Iraq is fighting a political enemy supported by regional countries. PM Maliki agreed that "deadlines make the battle against terrorism more severe" and stated that security must be ready for an increased intensity in fighting. CROCKER