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.

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Joint Transition Oversight Structure
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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.

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Sadrist Ministers Not Admitted
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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.

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State of Emergency Extension Vote
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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



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Securing the Population
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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