LOCAL POLITICIAN ON SECURITY, PIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000045 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/25/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL IZ SUBJECT: LOCAL POLITICIAN ON SECURITY, PIC REF: (A) BASRAH 42 (B) BASRAH 43 (C) BASRAH 44 CLASSIFIED BY: Louis L. Bono, Director, Basrah Regional Embassy Office, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Iraqi National Dialogue Front (IDNF) Southern Director Awad al-Abdany met with the Regional Embassy Office (REO) director on May 22 to discuss security and plans to handover provincial Iraqi control (PIC). Awad said the Basrah police are divided between factions. He said "the security forces do not provide security for Basrah; they only provide security for their interests." The director pointed out the inability of the police to stop the May 21 attack on the Coalition convoy (see ref. A),and Awad replied some of the attackers were police officers. ¶2. (C) Awad asked when PIC was scheduled to occur and the director said it may take place in the next few months. Awad then asked who would be in charge of security. He said the Provincial Council does not have full authority because of the Prime Minister's Emergency Security Committee (ESC) and opined neither is capable of handling the security portfolio. The director noted the need to replace the current police chief with a strong-willed individual who would address the problem of militia members within the ranks. Awad replied that the Provincial Council has been unwilling to appoint such an individual because most representatives have ties to militias. He said it would take time for a new police chief to stabilize the force. In the meantime, he said the Iraqi Army 10th Division is the only force that can stabilize Basrah for the time being, but it would need additional troops to accomplish this mission. ¶3. (C) The director asked about the INDF's platform that Coalition forces should be withdrawn from Iraq. (See ref. B.) Awad said Iraq is a sovereign country and should provide it's own security, but a withdrawal at this time would not be logical. He said it is important for the Coalition to establish credible security forces that "are loyal to Iraq and not other countries." Awad even suggested an increase in the Coalition forces might be necessary to help achieve this objective. ¶4. (C) The director asked about the integrity of promotions within the ISF, noting that a former Iraqi Army officer recently complained that a man with no education could be promoted to the rank of major after only six months' service. Awad agreed that this is a big problem. He said his neighbor, who has only an elementary degree and used to operate a falafel shop, is now a captain in intelligence. He said there is a price list for ranks, and it costs about $1500 to become a captain. He also said party affiliation is an important factor. ¶5. (C) Comment: Awad is one of several people in the past week who have expressed concern over PIC. Indications are the GoI may be prepared to replace the Basrah police chief. (See ref. C.) If so, this could be a positive development, but much will depend on the resolve and ability of the new chief to carry out the necessary reforms. BONO