MINISTER OF INTERIOR TELLS CODEL MEEHAN SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000688

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS IZ
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR TELLS CODEL MEEHAN SECURITY
IS IMPROVING


Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Margaret Scobey for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a February 20 meeting with Minister of
Interior Jawad al-Bolani, CODEL Meehan stressed that a
speedy and permanent reduction in Baghdad violence is central
to rebuilding U.S. domestic support for efforts in Iraq.
Minister Bolani agreed, adding that he is confident that the
revised Baghdad Security Plan will succeed. END SUMMARY.

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Bolani: Iraq, a "Project of Freedom"
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2. (C) On February 20 Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bolani
met with Representatives Martin Meehan (D-MA),Robert Andrews
(D-NJ),Todd Aiken (R-MO),Michael Turner (R-OH),and Paul
Ryan (R-WI) to discuss the progress of the revised Bahgdad
Security Plan (BSP). Representative Meehan stressed the need
to reduce the level of violence in the country, emphasizing
that it is critical if U.S. efforts in Iraq were to maintain
U.S. domestic support. Bolani agreed, stating that the
revised Baghdad Security Plan is improving the situation. He
acknowledged, however, that more work remained to be done. He
thanked the delegation for U.S. support of Iraq, adding that
Iraq is a "project of freedom" which is developing a new
political life for its people "based on law." Bolani added
that success will ultimately depend on the sacrifices and
effective cooperation between all the ministries within the
government, but especially the efforts of the Ministry of
Interior.

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Bolani Emphasizes the Positive
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3. (C) Minister Bolani provided the delegation with a status
of on-going efforts to secure Baghdad and improve MOI
training programs. He emphasized the positive: the drop in
sectarian violence, the reduction in overall casualties, and
his belief that the Baghdad population was supporting the
plan. He added that security was not only a question of
forces but also a social concept built on the social
services, economy, and national infrastructure that still
need to be fully developed. In the end, security requires a
political solution.


4. (C) Bolani said he was confident that the MOI will
continue to make progress and that the security situation
would improve in the near future. Representative Meehan asked
Bolani if sectarianism had worsened in the last year. Bolani
responded by saying that he considered sectarian violence to
be an "artificial problem" created by Al Qaida, Saddamists,
and some elements in neighboring counties who would feel
threatened if Iraq succeeds. He added that this violence has
no basis in the long history of common ties and interests
between Iraq's sects. Nonetheless, Bolani added, it is a
problem today and one the Iraqi Government must now solve.

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Police: Bravery and Improvement
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5. (C) Bolani emphasized the bravery of MOI troops and
policemen, citing the deaths of over twelve thousand officers
(who he termed "martyrs") since the removal of Saddam from
power. Noting improvements in the quality of MOI training, he
praised the efforts of Multinational Security Transition
Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I) in developing a professional
security force for Iraq. He argued that the MOI was making
great progress in rooting out corruption adding that since
his tenure began over eight thousand "unqualified" police
have been removed and nearly nine hundred have been referred
to Iraqi courts. He said he know it was important to
establish that Iraqi police were not "above the law" and were
there to serve all Iraqis.


6. (U) CODEL Meehan did not have an opportunity to clear this
cable.
KHALILZAD