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