BAGHDAD EPRT: SUNNI RECONCILIATION DIALOGUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 003013 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER SOCI SCUL ECON IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD EPRT: SUNNI RECONCILIATION DIALOGUES CONTINUE IN EASTERN DISTRICTS REF: BAGHDAD 2670 Classified By: EPRT Leader Eric Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a Baghdad 2 BCT E-PRT reporting cable. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: On 28 Aug, Baghdad E-PRT, 2/2 ID CDR, and battalion commanders met with Human Rights Advisor to the VP Omar Al-Jaboori and Dr. Kheder Shukur to provide updates on the six battalion-level local reconciliation processes (reftel). Shukur said that he and Al-Jaboori are members of a committee seeking to lay the groundwork for reinvigorated high-level reconciliation efforts. Al-Jaboori and Shukur said that the Sunnis see a nascent partnership with the U.S. developing that they hope will strengthen them, leveling the ground for Sunni-Shia reconciliation measures. They expressed interest in establishing a neighborhood watch program in eastern Baghdad comparable to the 20,000 "volunteers" he claimed currently serve on the west side. (Comment: This number could potentially provoke Shia militants, especially in light of minimal Al-Qaida presence. It is also likely overstated, particularly when compared to the number of IIP-affiliated "volunteers" in western Baghdad, which, even according to al-Jaboori, number less than 2,000. End comment.) These volunteers will help Sunnis fulfill their keen interest in re-opening and guarding mosques. Discussion included the rise in kidnappings, which 2/2 ID believes is due to militant efforts to raise funds to balance decreased illegal fuel sales. The E-PRT leader shared the commendations issued by President Bush and the Ambassador on the August 26 Unity Accord, and underscored the importance of supporting high-level efforts to attain national reconciliation. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) BACKGROUND: Al-Jaboori has made clear during his meetings with the EPRT and BCT that he believes that Sunni strength must approximate that of the Shia before true power sharing can take place. For Al-Jaboori, the re-assertion of Sunni authority, even in a few mulhallahs, re-establishes local control and builds a sense for Sunnis in Baghdad of a gradual return to normalcy. Al-Jaboori said that while reconciliation activities with Shia are down the road, Sunni leaders are now laying the necessary groundwork for cross-sectarian engagement to take place. END BACKGROUND. ¶4. (C) Participants: 
 Human Rights Advisor to the VP Omar Al-Jaboori Dr. Kheder Shukur Ahmed Muneim Hammad Khalaf Omar Hadith Ahmed Idham Ghalabe Ibrahim Samuel Al-Jaboori 2BCT/2ID Brigade Commander COL Jeffrey Bannister LTC Carl Alex LTC James Phillips LTC Troy Perry LTC Wayne Grieme LTC Ralph Kauzlarich LTC Jeffrey Sauer Baghdad 2 E-PRT Team Leader Eric P. Whitaker -------------- -------------- Al-Jaboori Pleased with Good Working Relations with CF -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) The meeting, which lasted over three hours, started with Human Rights Advisor to Vice President Al-Hashimi Sheikh Omar Al-Jaboori stating he had established good working relations with Coalition Forces (CF) at multiple levels, with Brigadier General Brooks' support. 2BCT/2ID Brigade Commander Colonel Bannister said we would continue to expand the model, which focused so far on essential services and humanitarian assistance efforts. The battalions have projects and are visibly assisting communities. The BCT and E-PRT will get Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) involved, and continue to strengthen neighborhood and district councils (NCs and DCs). -------------- Visit to Palestinian Compound Recapped -------------- ¶6. (C) E-PRT Leader Whitaker said the August 21 visit to the Palestinian compound (septel) in the Beladiat neighborhood of 9 Nissan had revealed a number of deficiencies in services ) including a lack of water and sewer service, electricity, trash removal, propane, youth facilities, schools, and clinics. Security concerns included outsiders shooting into BAGHDAD 00003013 002 OF 003 their compound and launching mortar rounds from it. The Palestinian representatives requested the CF re-start patrols in the area. The BCT will install barriers to secure the mosque area and will address services needs, in part with the NC and DC. ¶7. (C) Sunni representative from 9 Nissan Hammad Khalaf said that the Red Cross/Red Crescent clinic was built by the Palestinians, but had become militant-infested, with the community unable to enter it. Colonel Bannister responded that the clinic would be checked to provide access for Palestinians, and a MEDCAP exercise conducted to outfit it with medications and supplies. -------------- Unity Accord Commendations Relayed -------------- ¶8. (C) E-PRT Leader Whitaker also relayed commendations of both President Bush and Ambassador Crocker regarding the August 25 Unity Accord reached by top Iraqi government officials. He explained that the agreement provides a strengthened foundation for progress to advance the stalled reconciliation process at high political levels. -------------- -------------- Al-Jaboori Makes Case for Large-Scale Volunteer Program -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) Al-Jaboori expressed interest in a large-scale Sunni "volunteer" guard program in Baghdad's eastern districts of Karada and 9 Nissan - in the neighborhoods of Beladiat, Al Fadhil, Zayuna, and Zafaraniya - to match the 20,000 he claimed currently serve on the west side. (Comment: This number is likely overstated. CF are tracking approximately 10,000 "volunteers" throughout all of Baghdad. Even according to Al-Jaboori, there are less than 2,000 IIP-associated "volunteers" in western Baghdad. End comment.) Colonel Bannister stated that the situation was different from that in the west, where al-Qaida elements posed a threat. The build-up of Sunni forces would be provocative, place "volunteers" at risk of being targeted by militias, and risk further sectarian violence. Furthermore, as the area of operations consists of Shia majority neighborhoods, it is important to balance Sunni outreach with neighboring Shia areas to prevent charges of favoritism. ¶10. (C) Dr. Kheder Shukur said Sunni "volunteers" were needed to counter al-Qaida, which he said exists in only a small part of Al Fadhil. He added that he wished to have direct contact with the battalion. Dr. Shukur also spoke of the importance of steps forward in building the relationship. He asked for support for the Sunnis in Zayuna. Hammad asked that Zayuna serve as a CIS test site, with extension to Sumer and Baghdad Jadeeda neighborhoods if successful. -------------- -------------- BN Commanders Address Key Security, Services Issues -------------- -------------- ¶11. (C) Each battalion commander spoke about ongoing reconciliation dialogue within their respective security districts, and emphasized progress made on both public services and security conditions: ¶A. LTC Kauzlarich outlined the adult literacy program, wherein Ministry of Education teachers would be hired to train 500 men in basic Arabic reading and writing skills during the evening hours for a three-month period. ¶B. LTC Perry discussed weekly meetings with Sunni contacts to review current intelligence and services needs. Efforts are underway to help protect two recently re-opened mosques. Furthermore, company commanders meet with NC chairs on an ongoing basis to discuss projects and security. ¶C. LTC Phillips talked about Iraqi Police (IP) recruitment, and the objective of a force that is a 30/70 percent balance between Sunnis and Shias. ¶D. LTC Sauer said that changes had taken place in the Obaidy neighborhood of 9 Nissan district over the past four months; people are cooperating with the CF, which has resulted in fewer IED, mortar, and rocket attacks. The people realize that militant violence will turn inward later on, and they want normalcy restored. ¶E. LTC Alex said his sector involves four different militias in five neighborhoods, and that there are extremist Sunnis working with al-Qaida in Al Fadhil. Although Medical City had been cleared of problematic guards, leaders needed to discipline followers to maintain the Al Fadhil ) Abu Saifan BAGHDAD 00003013 003 OF 003 truce. LTC Alex also noted the need for citizens to make use of hotlines, and to help the CF/ISF identify "hot spots." He referred to regular contact with Sunni sources in Al Fadhil. ¶F. LTC Grieme talked about meetings with sheikhs who wanted an armed neighborhood watch program involving weapons permits, which poses problems; further discussion is planned for this week. He also mentioned the 4,000 IDP families in Zafaraniya, which are mixed Sunni-Shia. -------------- -------------- Opening Mosques, Levels of Cooperation, Kidnappings -------------- -------------- ¶12. (C) Discussion ensued on the process of recently re-opened mosques and others soon to open to provide venues for followers of differing Sunni paths of belief. Battalion commanders agreed to assist in establishing security for the mosques. Al-Jaboori emphasized the need for three levels of cooperation: organizationally, between Sunnis and the CF; intelligence cells; and neighborhood volunteers. ¶13. (C) Much discussion occurred regarding kidnappings; Colonel Bannister observed that as illegal fuel sales were curtailed, kidnapping had risen as extremists shifted money-raising tactics. Furthermore, the continuation of kidnappings underscored the need for better information. -------------- --- Problems East of Sadr City: Obaidy and Beladiat -------------- --- ¶14. (C) Hammad Khalaf talked about the Obaidy and Beladiat neighborhoods of 9 Nissan, saying that Obaidy remains a working class neighborhood. As such, he said, many residents are susceptible to militant recruitment. (NOTE: Beladiat is the "East gate" for militants to Sadr City, and a command outpost (COP) or joint security station (JSS) may be of value in impeding their movement. END NOTE.) While many Christians had been pressured into leaving, Khalaf said, both Sunnis and Shias in Beladiat despised the militia presence. Although the Palestinian mosque is open, two other Sunni mosques are closed and inhabited by militant squatters. -------------- Sunni High-Level Reconciliation Efforts -------------- ¶15. (C) Colonel Bannister asked Al-Jaboori about high-level reconciliation efforts. Dr. Sukur replied that security poses the biggest obstacle to these efforts. There has been a change in Sunni attitudes toward the U.S., he said, where a partnership is now seen to be possible. The CF and Sunni society can deal with community changes, he proposed, including through the "volunteer" program, where a level of 20,000 can soon be reached, doubling in one to two months. The withdrawal of parties from government indicates that PM Al-Maliki is "approaching a dead end," accordin to Dr. Sukur. He believes that VP Adil Abd Al-Mahdi may well be the next prime minister. ¶16. (C) Shukur added that coexistence with the Shia is possible. Both Al-Jaboori and he are on a committee to plan renewed high-level reconciliation efforts. One near-term objective will be to eliminate the JAM infiltration of the ISF and push for ISF Sunni-Shia balance. "This will help lead to an open-minded Iraq," he said. ¶17. (C) Shukur also said that the Sunni team needs to be stronger, as an unbalanced relationship with the Shia will not be productive. He mentioned the release of Sunni detainees to Sunni community leaders as one way to empower them. The Sunnis seek a "respectable unity project" with the Shia to bridge their differences. BUTENIS