IRAQ: NSA RUBAIE LAYS OUT NATIONAL SECURITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000269 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS PINS PNAT IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ: NSA RUBAIE LAYS OUT NATIONAL SECURITY OVERSIGHT STRUCTURE BAGHDAD 00000269 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/REL GBR, AUS) Summary: DCM assisted Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafak Al-Rubaie in laying out the organizational structure necessary to implement the Joint Transition Strategy. Rubaie reported that PM Maliki had not allowed two Sadrist ministers, Minister of Health and Minister of Tourism, to return to their offices despite the end of the Sadrist boycott. Rubaie also stated that the Council of Representatives failed to obtain the super quorum needed to pass the State of Emergency resolution. In response to the market bombing in Rusafa, DCM emphasized to Rubaie the need to secure Baghdad's public areas from vehicle bombs. Rubaie agreed and asked for coalition support in doing so. End Summary. -------------- Joint Transition Oversight Structure -------------- ¶2. (S/REL GBR, AUS) On January 22, DCM and MNF-I senior officers met with Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafak Al-Rubaie to clarify organizational structures and oversight mechanisms necessary to coordinate the works that will support the Baghdad Security Plan. The six Iraqi committees (Security, Services, Economics, Political, Communications, and Popular Mobilization) will each have a coalition counterpart (senior Embassy/MNF-I personnel) to advise and assist Iraqi officials in planning and execution of their respective cell's responsibilities. ¶3. (S/REL GBR, AUS) The six committees and respective chairs are currently envisioned as: - Security: Lieutenant General Aboud - Services: Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zubai - Economics: Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih - Political: Vice President Adil Abdul Mahdi - Communications: Government Spokesman Al-Dabbagh - Popular Mobilization: Vice President Tariq Al- Hashimi (with Chalabi being proposed to handel the Shia communities) ¶4. (S/REL GBR, AUS) Rubaie's concept envisions a collaborative arrangement with the six committees working through two coordination cells, the Crisis Cell and the Executive Steering Committee. The Crisis Cell will oversee the work of the Security Committee. The Executive Steering Committee will focus on coordinating the economic, political, communication, and social services functions necessary to support the security plan. The Executive Steering Committee will be comprised of all six committees and meet routinely. The National Security Advisor's Office, currently led by Rubaie, will coordinate and serve as the executive secretary to the Executive Steering Committee and Crisis Cell to ensure unity of effort and efficient operations. Both MNF-I CG and Ambassador will sit in the meetings to provide support. -------------- Sadrist Ministers Not Admitted -------------- ¶5. (S/REL GBR, AUS) Rubaie also reported that PM Maliki did not allow two Sadrist ministers, Minister of Health Dr. Ali al-Shammari and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Liwa Sumaysim, to join a meeting of the Council of Ministers despite - the fact that the Sadrist Bloc ended its boycott of the government. Rubaie told that PM Maliki has demanded that the Sadrist ministers publicly announce an end to their boycott, citing the fact that these same ministers publicly announced their boycott in November 2006. Currently, only the Sadr Bloc spokesman has announced that the bloc will resume participation in the government. -------------- State of Emergency Extension Vote -------------- ¶6. (S/REL GBR, AUS) Rubaie stated that the Council of Representatives (CoR) failed to obtain the super quorum necessary to pass the resolution for the State of Emergency. While one-hundred eighty-four members are required, only one-hundred seventy were in attendance. BAGHDAD 00000269 002.2 OF 002 -------------- Securing the Population -------------- ¶7. (S/REL GBR, AUS) DCM expressed his condolences for the loss of life in the January 22 market bombing in Baghdad's Rusafa section. Noting that this market had apparently been bombed before, DCM emphasized the need for the GOI to adopt effective measures to prevent unrestricted vehicle access to markets and other public areas. Rubaie agreed, adding that while this would not stop all attacks, it would reduce the number of casualties. Rubaie suggest using heavy metal/concrete poles that could be quickly drilled into the ground as they are less intrusive than concrete "T-walls" or "Jersey Barriers", yet equally effective. He asked for U.S. assistance and added, if he had his way, he would make using a car in Baghdad very inconvenient and restricted. DCM agreed, adding that we would examine ways to assist the GOI in its efforts to secure such areas. KHALILZAD