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Coalition forces should be withdrawn from Iraq.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