MOI ON FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND BORDER SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004125

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2017
TAGS: PBTS PGOV PINS PREL PTER IZ SA SY
SUBJECT: MOI ON FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND BORDER SECURITY

REF: BAGHDAD 2974

Classified By: POL-MIL MINISTER-COUNSELOR MARCIE B. RIES, REASONS 1.4 (
B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: At a December 12 meeting, Pol-Mil M/C
discussed foreign terrorists, border security, and the PKK
with Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani. While Syria had
taken some actions and there had been a reduction in the
number of foreign terrorists entering Iraq, Syria was
hampered in its efforts by corruption and needed to do more.
Bulani described the variety of techniques and routes used
for infiltration and the complications caused by tribes
living along the Iraqi-Syrian border. Bulani plans to visit
his counterpart in Saudi Arabia after the groundwork has been
laid. At a separate meeting, DBE Chief MG Mohsen related his
impressions of Syrian efforts to improve border security and
described the challenges facing his forces in the coming year.

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FOREIGN TERRORISTS
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2. (C) After expressing condolences regarding the recent
assassination of the Babil provincial chief of police,
Pol-Mil M/C initiated a discussion regarding foreign
terrorist infiltration into Iraq. Pol-Mil M/C noted the
possibility that Syria had taken some steps to block foreign
terrorist transits, described USG outreach efforts including
the S/CT-led delegation,s recent visits to source countries,
and asked Interior Minister Bulani for his views on the
problem and whether there had recently been any improvement.


3. (C) Syria presented two problems in terms of border
security, opined Bulani. Its leaders were divided in their
attitude towards the GOI and there was significant corruption
in Syrian institutions which resulted in support for
terrorists. Some high-level Syrian officers ignored
directives to restrict the travel of military-aged males and
otherwise neglected their duties. While the SARG had the
ability to interdict most foreign terrorists, it was
handicapped in its efforts because some of its high officers
&chose to close their eyes.8 Of course, corruption was not
just a problem for Syria but also for Iraq. Despite these
shortcomings, Iraqi intelligence showed that the number of
foreign terrorists entering Iraq had dropped in the last four
months and Syria had taken some actions leading to this
reduction. Syria agreed to Iraq,s request for direct
communication between border officials at its three ports of
entry on the Syrian border. Syria had intensified its border
security efforts, but had not done enough in Bulani,s
estimation.

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TRIBAL COMPLICATIONS
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4. (C) Control of the tribes which lived on both sides of the
Iraqi-Syrian border would be critical for long-term border
security, explained Bulani. These tribes engage in smuggling
and facilitate the flow of foreign terrorists. Because they
have families and, in some cases, houses on both sides of the
border it is difficult to control them. These conditions
exist over a 70-80 km stretch of the border in Ninewah
province and for a shorter stretch around Al Qaim in Anbar
province. When he suggested that a trench be built along the
border to stop illegal border-crossing, the Syrians &went
crazy8 because they profit from smuggling and are not yet
worried about the reverse flow of terrorists, related Bulani.

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REGIONAL ASPECT
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5. (C) Bulani related that foreign terrorists were using a
variety of methods and routes to enter Iraq. Counterfeit
identification documents were allowing some to pose as
businessmen. Many were moving through a variety of transit
points between their home countries and Iraq, possibly
including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, he claimed.
Foreign terrorists from Kuwait and the Gulf nations were
coming by sea into Basrah, where they meet guides who bring
them to their operational areas. Bulani encouraged U.S.
engagement with Syria and other countries in concert with
Iraqi diplomatic efforts. Pol-Mil M/C pointed out the
opportunities for such engagement provided by the Neighbors
Process and requested GOI support for U.S. observer status at
the next Border Security Working Group expected to take place
in January.


BAGHDAD 00004125 002 OF 002


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SAUDI INVITATION
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6. (C) Bulani explained that he had an invitation to visit
the Saudi Interior Minister to discuss security issues which
he intended to take up after lower level officials from each
government had met and prepared the groundwork. The interior
ministers from Iraq,s neighbors had expressed satisfaction
with his work and that of his ministry at improving Iraq,s
security when he attended the regional interior ministers
meeting in Kuwait in late October, he added. (COMMENT:
Bulani mentioned the Saudi invitation to us in early
September (reftel) but provided no explanation for his delay
in taking it up. We understand that the Saudis extended this
invitation in January in Tunisia on the sidelines of the Arab
League interior ministers meeting. END COMMENT.)

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PKK
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7. (C) Pol-Mil M/C praised GOI efforts to rein in the PKK and
inquired about the next steps to be taken in this effort.
Bulani related that the GOI and the KRG were carrying out
their responsibilities under the Turkey-Iraq counterterrorism
agreement and that the MOI was leading an interagency
committee to coordinate these efforts. He explained how the
counterterrorism agreement, which had initially been opposed
by Kurdish groups, was now understood by the KRG as
fulfilling an important GOI responsibility. Pol-Mil M/C
urged Bulani to arrest any PKK operatives found in Iraq,
drawing attention to ongoing U.S. assistance to improve
airport security in Erbil and help in distributing
information regarding INTERPOL-listed arrest warrants.

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DBE CHIEF,S PERSPECTIVE
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8. (C) In a separate meeting, Directorate of Border
Enforcement (DBE) Chief Major General Mohsen expanded on
Bulani,s description of Iraq,s efforts to work with its
neighbors on border security and described his plans and
challenges for 2008. Mohsen visited Syria in late November
and reported his impression that Syria was making an effort
to improve border security by steps such as improving and
paving roads and building further observation posts. He
related that his Syrian counterpart admitted that corruption,
in particular smuggling of petroleum products, undermined
Syrian efforts. Mohsen indicated that improving
intelligence-sharing with Iraq,s neighbors would be one of
his key goals in the coming year.


9. (C) Mohsen presented a litany of challenges facing the DBE
in 2008. His budget was being cut 65% from 408 billion to
143 billion Iraqi dinars in 2008. Command and control of
Border Forces was becoming more complicated due to the role
of the provincial operations centers which have directed some
battalions to perform internal security duties instead of
their DBE missions in Basrah and Karbala. Some 6,000 DBE
staff lacked proper training because slots at the three MOI
training academies were going to the police services. Mohsen
stated that the Prime Minister had already issued an order
placing all seaports under DBE authority, but that the
Ministry of Transportation had not ceded authority over
airports to the DBE. (COMMENT: Post and MNF-I/MNSTC-I agree
that adding the challenges of administering sea and airports
to the DBE,s already full plate is not a wise move in the
near-term, although it may have merit as a long-term goal.
END COMMENT.)
CROCKER