PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAIR CRITICIZES BSP INITIATIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000817

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAIR CRITICIZES BSP INITIATIVES

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Joseph Gregoire for Reasons 1.4 (B) and
(D).


1. (C) Summary: Baghdad Provincial Council (PC) Chairman
Mueen Al-Kadhimi (SCIRI) complained in a March 4 press
conference as well as to PRToffs March 6 that the national
government has not consulted the PC on Baghdad Security Plan
(BSP) initiatives. Al-Kadhimi said he resented the fact that
instead of the PC security committee, Ahmed Chalabi is
overseeing the popular mobilization strand of the BSP and
claimed that DPM Salam Zobai has usurped provincial authority
over essential services planning and execution. End Summary.

Al-Kadhimi Supports Mobilization, Rejects Chalabi
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2. (SBU) In a press conference March 4 at the PC building,
Chairman Al-Kadhimi, flanked by District Council, Amanat
(City Hall) and local security officials, rebuked national
government officials for the lack of PC leadership of the
BSP. In comments to the press, meeting attendees claimed
Chalabi lacks support among both Baghdad's Sunni and Shia
communities. One attendee said, "Over the past four years,
Chalabi has been unable to accomplish anything in the public
interest, in spite of American support. He failed to win
even one seat in the Council of Representatives..." PC
members further commented that Chalabi is using the Popular
Mobilization initiative to extend his influence among
Baghdad's Shia population.


3. (C) PRToffs met with PC Chairman Mueen Al-Kadhimi March 6
to discuss his views on the essential services and popular
mobilization strands of the BSP. Al-Kadhimi said he supports
the idea of popular mobilization but that he does not approve
of Ahmed Chalabi's leadership of the initiative. He said the
PC's security committee is the appropriate lead for the
popular committees. Al-Kadhimi said that, failing explicit
PC leadership of the popular mobilization strand, at least
efforts should be coordinated with the PC.

DPM Fails to Consult on Essential Services
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4. (C) Al-Kadhimi said that Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zobai
is not the appropriate lead for the essential services strand
of the BSP, and that according to the Iraqi Constitution,
such responsibilities are within the purview of the
provincial government. Al-Kadhimi added that Zobai is not
consulting with municipal authorities such as the Amanat on
efforts to improve the provision of essential services.
(Comment: In fact, Zobai is consulting with those authorities
through the Joint Reconstruction Operations Center and the
Joint Planning Committee, but Al-Kadhimi's remarks illustrate
his frustration with the PC's perceived marginalization in
the BSP. End Comment.)
KHALILZAD