IRAQI PM URGES PARLIAMENT TO SUPPORT SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000264 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI PM URGES PARLIAMENT TO SUPPORT SECURITY PLAN; STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Charles Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Prime Minister addressed over 200 Council of Representative members on January 25 to garner support for the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) and stress upon the CoR members the importance of the legislative and executive branches undertaking the "exceptional efforts" needed to establish the new Iraq. Many CoR members spoke in support of Maliki's efforts, although some offered various procedural and substantive criticisms and there was a hostile exchange between Abdulnasr al-Jinabi (National Dialogue Council) and the PM. The CoR passed a resolution supporting the general principles of the BSP and then passed an extension to the State of Emergency. End summary. -------------- The PM's Speech -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Prime Minister covered a range of topics in his speech. He emphasized that the CoR had a vital role to play in developing the new Iraq. Noting the recent problems caused by the lack of quorum, he urged CoR members to take responsibility for passing key legislation such as the oil law and the legislation necessary to have provincial elections. Noting that the executive and legislative branches needed to support each other, he called for the CoR to support the appointment of professional undersecretaries in the ministries rather than basing these appointments on a quota system. He then laid out the basic principles of the BSP, describing it as an Iraqi plan led by Iraqis and complemented by MNF-I support per new U.S. strategy for Iraq. He emphasized that security forces would target anyone breaking the law with no regard for sectarian affiliation and that there would be no room for political interference. The Prime Minister explained that the plan was not solely a security plan but included political, economic, services, communications, and public mobilization tracks. He asked the CoR to extend the state of emergency in support of the plan and other measures outside of Baghdad, though he noted that existing laws gave him the authority to undertake many of the necessary measures. Finally, he spoke out against outside interference in Iraq's affairs, including unhelpful conferences hosted by neighboring countries. -------------- CoR Members React -------------- ¶3. (SBU) After the PM finished his speech, CoR Speaker Mashhadani called for a vote on the state of emergency extension given the high attendance (greater than two thirds) and the PM's request. After members insisted on directing comments to the PM rather than immediately voting, Sadrist Baha al-Araji said that that the Sadrists wanted to be the first to voice their support for the mechanisms of the BSP. Kurdish leader Foaud Ma'soum said that the plan had the Kurds' support. Speaking for Tawafuq, Adnan Dulaimi welcomed the Prime Minister's presence at the CoR and said that Tawafuq would bring him a number of suggestions. Comments from other Sunni CoR members reflected various concerns, including random detentions and raids, length of stay in detention, the deaths of women and children, and lack of balance in the security forces. Badr leader Hadi al-Amri called for a single spokesperson on the plan, and Dawa Tanzim leader Abdulkarim al-Anzy questioned the need for additional U.S. forces and spoke against the detention of Sadrist leader Abdulhadi al-Darraji and "Iranian and Sudanese diplomats." Abdulnasir al-Jinabi directed harsh words to the Prime Minister, criticizing operations on Haifa street in Baghdad, suggesting that Iraqi women were not being respected, and claiming that there was clearly political interference. ¶4. (SBU) A scene erupted when the Prime Minister immediately challenged al-Jinabi, noting that he had a file showing that al-Jinabi was responsible for 150 abductions. Mashhadani threatened to end the session, saying the the PM had no right to make allegations against a parliamentarian who enjoyed immunity. Khalid al-Attiyah then made an impassioned speech asking who could be against the principles of the BSP, namely the targeting of anyone who broke the law. He called for a vote on a resolution in support of the principles of the BSP. Mashhadani allowed the vote and almost every CoR member raised his or her hand, with the obvious exception of al-Jinabi. -------------- The PM Responds -------------- BAGHDAD 00000264 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) The PM, who had been taking notes on concerns raised, then thanked the CoR for its support of the BSP principles. He noted that raids would target wanted people based on intelligence and would not be random in nature. He assured the CoR that he and his government were working to improve the professionalism of MoD and MoI forces and urged the political parties not to try to intervene in support of their favored candidates for officer positions. Responding to al-Anzy's concern over the increased number of U.S. troops, Maliki agreed that Iraqis should "depend on ourselves" to the extent possible and said that the U.S. troops would be held in reserve to support ISF if needed. -------------- State of Emergency Extension Passes -------------- ¶6. (C) After the PM's speech, remarks from the CoR members, and the PM's response, Mashhadani called for a vote on extending the State of Emergency (except in Kurdistan) for another 30 days. (Note: The last state of emergency extension was passed on November 28 and expired approximately December 28.) Almost everyone in the room voted for the extension, and the Speaker declared it passed. (Note: According to the CoR's interpretation of the Constitution, it takes two thirds of CoR members voting in favor to approve a state of emergency. As a number of the CoR members left the room when the PM did and as the Speaker did not wait for a count of the votes but rather just looked at the show of hands, it is unclear if 184 members voted for the extension. End note.) KHALILZAD