CODEL DICKS PRESSES IRAQI LEADERS ON SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000741 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINS PNAT MOPS DA IZ SUBJECT: CODEL DICKS PRESSES IRAQI LEADERS ON SECURITY Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On February 23 Minister of Defense Abdul Qader Mohammad al-Ubaydi met CODEL Dicks, which expressed the importance of quickly improving Iraq's security situation. Minister Abdul Qader agreed, asserting that the revised Baghdad Security Plan has already succeeded in significantly reducing sectarian violence in the city. Abdul Qader opined that the revised BSP would succeed because it was centered on establishing a permanent police presence throughout the city. Abdul Qader argued that the military efforts in Iraq were the "first world war of the twenty-first century," with global implications given Iraq's vast hydrocarbon resources. He praised U.S. training efforts with Iraq's security forces, but described several deficiencies in the Iraqi Army's logistics and transportation capacity. END SUMMARY. -------------- Iraqi "Surge" Units at One-Hundred Percent -------------- ¶2. (C) On February 23, Representatives Norm Dicks (D-WA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH),Steve Rothman (D-NJ),Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ),Christopher Carney (D-PA),and Patrick Murphy (D-PA) met with Minister of Defense Abdul Qader Mohammad al-Ubaydi to discuss the revised Baghdad Security Plan and the status of MOD's development. Representative Dicks stressed the importance of quickly reducing the level of violence in Iraq, saying it is a key factor in bolstering U.S. domestic support for the mission. Representative Dicks also asked about reports he had heard that several Iraqi Army (IA) units deployed in support of the surge were understrength by as much as fifty percent. The minister politely dismissed this concern, noting that only one deployed brigade had actually been understrength, but that had been rectified. Abdul Qader added that brigades recently deployed from southern Iraq were above one hundred percent. -------------- Baghdad Security Improving -------------- ¶3. (C) Minister Abdul Qader agreed with Representative Dicks that Baghdad security is the most important immediate issue. The past week, he added, had shown positive trends, with sectarian violence greatly reduced within Baghdad. Abdul Qader said he was confident of long-term success because the plan emphasizes establishing a joint IA/Iraqi police presence in the city, with nearly 50 stations to be established in Baghdad's neighborhoods. In addition, 28 IA checkpoints will control access into the city from the suburban areas that serve as bases for the insurgency. Most importantly, Qader added, Iraqi forces are in the lead, a central factor for gaining popular support. -------------- Iraq: 21st Century "World War" -------------- ¶4. (C) Minister Abdul Qader suggested that the military effort in Iraq was the "first world war of the twenty-first century," with global implications given Iraq's vast hydrocarbon resources. The Iraq conflict, he said, was a battle against those holding a "Nazi-like" mindset. Abdul Qader also blamed Iraqi politicians for stoking the flames of ethno-sectarian violence, noting that the Iraqi people had co-existed peacefully for centuries. Qader cited as an example the relatively peaceful areas of Kurdistan where many different sects - including many IDPs from Baghdad - live peacefully because "there are no politicians pushing them" to violence. -------------- MOD's Progress and Deficiencies -------------- ¶5. (C) Abdul Qader praised Coalition Forces efforts both in combat and in training the Iraqi Army. Abdul Qader acknowledged that the MOD suffers from inefficiencies, especially in its transportation and logistic systems. He said that there is a particular need for helicopters, which would provide needed mobility and logistics/re-supply capacity. This would further reduce Iraq's dependence on coalition combat service support. ¶6. (U) CODEL Dicks did not have the opportunity to clear this BAGHDAD 00000741 002 OF 002 cable. KHALILZAD