EYES ON THE SECURITY PRIZE, BABIL GOVERNOR PUTS HIS BEST

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000012 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KDEM IR IZ SUBJECT: EYES ON THE SECURITY PRIZE, BABIL GOVERNOR PUTS HIS BEST FOOT FORWARD REF: A) HILLAH 0010 B) 06 HILLAH 146 C) 06 HILLAH 106 HILLAH 00000012 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Charles F. Hunter, Babil PRT Leader, REO Al-Hillah, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. ¶2. (S) Summary and comment: In a meeting with Babil PRT that proved more of a two-way exchange than previous ones, the Babil governor requested stronger U.S. support for reconstruction projects, spoke somewhat favorably of cooperation with the Coalition in moving toward Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC),and accepted the PRT's offer to facilitate high-level appointments in Baghdad. He avoided making a public pledge to support the disarming of all terrorist elements, however. His caginess on security and his strong Iranian ties are reminders that a healthy skepticism of his motives and intentions remains the right approach for now. End summary and comment. -------------- RECONSTRUCTION -------------- ¶3. (C) A day after chairing an inconclusive but mildly encouraging meeting (ref A) of the Babil Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee (PRDC),Governor Salem Salih Mehdi Al-Muslimawi maintained a higher-than-usual level of responsiveness during an office call by Babil PRT officers on January 18. PRT leader began the meeting by thanking the governor for the encouraging developments at the PRDC meeting, which had been dominated by accusations from Babil mayors of lack of information sharing. The governor's pledge to increase cooperation among all PRDC elements and to instruct that a prioritized list of projects be drawn up, his offer to host the next PRDC meeting, and his contention that another session should take place in no more than two weeks all pointed in a positive direction. ¶4. (SBU) The governor repeated his request for assistance above the USD 7.5 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) currently allocated for Babil, emphasizing that additional funding could showcase U.S. support for Iraqi development and counter negative media coverage. PRT leader assured the governor that the PRT wanted Babil to maximize its share of reconstruction funds, including from the central government, and for that reason would be pleased to facilitate setting up meetings with officials in Baghdad to discuss his province's needs and requests in detail. The governor immediately accepted the offer. -------------- SECURITY -------------- ¶5. (S) Security issues dominated the rest of the meeting; the governor summoned his security advisor, Thamer Ghazala (Abu Huda),when the subject was broached. (Note: Abu Huda is reported to have direct ties to the Iranian intelligence services, the Itala'at. End note.) PRT emphasized the need to support the new security plan put forth by PM Maliki and for the governor's personal engagement and leadership for a successful transition to PIC, tentatively scheduled for April. Salem agreed to work jointly in drafting a security transfer agreement rather than having it produced solely by the American side. He did not clearly indicate willingness to establish internal security consultations, e.g., with Babil Police Chief BG Qais Al-Ma'mouri, so that PIC preparations proceed down the political and security tracks in parallel. (Note: Per ref C, the governor and Provincial Council have been trying since early last year to oust Qais. End note.) Rather, the governor criticized Qais and contrasted him with the police chief in the governor's home district of Al-Kifl, who he claims offers rewards for assistance in capturing insurgents. PRT rejoined that Babil is fortunate to have effective professionals such as Qais leading its security forces. ¶6. (C) When asked to commit to an unambiguous public statement echoing PM Maliki's Army Day pledge to disarm all militia groups, the governor demurred. (Note: Most of the security discussion took place in the presence of reporters, including a camera team from al-Iraqiyah TV. End note.) Abu Huda seconded his contention of having often called for disarming all armed individuals outside of the police and security forces in that past. Salem went on to state that in any case his position as governor "forces" him to enforce the law against the "insurgency." -------------- HILLAH 00000012 002.2 OF 002 COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (S) Though slightly prickly on security, Governor Salem otherwise has been on his best behavior with us this week. With PIC on the horizon, he is probably aware of having more incentive than ever before to do so. In fact on top of offering to host the next PRDC, he told 4/25 BCT commander Col. Michael Garrett later on January 18 that he wanted to do the same, with lunch provided, for the next Provincial Security Transition Assessment (PSTA) on January 24. Unlike in past interactions, when he seemed to be generating copy for his "Al-Awsat" newspaper when speaking with the PRT, this time he was largely in listening mode. We will follow up on the offer to set up meetings for him in Baghdad, an idea in which he reiterated his interest when walking PRT staff back to their vehicles after the meeting. If from his side he makes good on improving the PRDC process, we will have taken a significant step forward. The proof of this pudding will very much be in the eating, however. ¶8. (S) Comment, continued: Post has noted in the past (ref B) the governor's ability to appear forthcoming when doing so serves his interests. But while he can be a good actor in the theatrical sense, we assess that he almost certainly remains a bad actor politically. The mayor of Al-Hillah pulled PRT leader aside after the recent PRDC meeting to explain that a remark the governor appeared to make in jest, saying that things went bad when the mayor (who had gone to use the restroom) wasn't around, actually meant just the opposite and was intended to intimidate him. Personally installed by the Al-Hakims - he reportedly used to display a letter of endorsement from the SCIRI leader's son behind his desk - the governor has Iranian links that run deep and will not simply vanish. End comment. HUNTER