PM COS ABDULLAH ACCUSES U.S. OF MURDER AND

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000084 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2017 TAGS: IZ MOPS PREL PGOV SUBJECT: PM COS ABDULLAH ACCUSES U.S. OF MURDER AND VIOLATING PIC AGREEMENT Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) We have received a very strongly worded letter (e-mailed to NEA-I) from Tariq Abdullah, Chief of Staff to the PM, accusing U.S. forces of launching a raid and killing a target in Najaf without first gaining the consent of local or federal officials as required by the terms of our agreement on Provincial Iraqi Control. Abdullah uses extremely inflammatory language, including "murder," to describe the incident. He also accuses Americans of murdering a member of Vice President al-Mahdi's security detail and -- to throw further fuel on the fire -- refers to the investigation into the Haditha incident. ¶2. (S) According to MNF-I, the raid that took place in Najaf was Iraqi-led and approved by the battlespace owner -- the commander of the 8th Iraqi Army (IA). MNF-I states that the Iraqi forces were accompanied on the raid by Coalition advisors, which is allowed under the terms of both the overall PIC Implementing Arrangement signed by PM Maliki and MNF-I Commanding General Casey and the MoU signed between the MND-B commander and the Najaf Provincial Governor. During the raid, one of the advisors shot and killed the target, believing that the target -- who was holding a Kalashnikov rifle -- posed a threat to his life and that of an IA soldier. The target was a known EFP facilitator and leader of a rogue JAM element. ¶3. (S) The unfortunate incident of the death of a member of VP al-Mahdi's security detail allegedly involved a U.S. security contractor, not a member of Coalition forces. The incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. government. ¶4. (SBU) Unofficial translation of Tariq Abdullah's letter follows: Republic of Iraq Prime Minister's Office No. X.J.Y/L/1336 Date 12/28/2006 Subject: Cooperation and coordination US Embassy Baghdad, Iraq Peace be upon you, Despite the transfer of the security responsibility on Wednesday 12/20/06, The (sic) American forces have raided the home of a citizen in the holy city of Najaf at 6 a.m. on Wednesday 12/27/06 and killed him without the knowledge of the local or federal authorities. Procedures for raiding and detention of suspected individuals, in addition to murdering them at the scene in cities where the Iraqi authorities are responsible for security, without the knowledge of, or coordination with the authorities is considered a violation of the agreement concluded between the American and the Iraqi sides and a reduction in sovereignty and prestige of the state. The Americans have also murdered of (sic) a members of the security detail of Vice President Dr. Adel Abed el-Mahdi while he was performing his duties. In this regard it should be mentioned that, the aggression committed by the American forces at the city of Haditha which resulted in the death of unarmed civilians led lately to the condemnation of the perpetrators by the American Judiciary. We ask the MNF-I to inform its executive apparatus with the necessity, to comply with agreements concluded between the two sides and not to repeat such practicies...And to provide an explanation regarding the circumstances of the incident that happened today including the murder of the suspect at the scene with trail (sic). We hope that cooperation and coordination and the American and the Iraqi sides will prevail in order to avoid mistakes that do not serve the interest of the joint relationships and coordination. With appreciation, Office of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Signed by: Dr. Tariq Najem Abdullah Chief of Staff Prime Minister's office ¶5. (SBU) We will do a response to Abdullah's letter drawing on points above (see paragraph 2). KHALILZAD