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.

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RECONSTRUCTION
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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.

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SECURITY
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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."

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HILLAH 00000012 002.2 OF 002


COMMENT
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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