KARBALA GEARING UP FOR PIC; CONTINUING SECURITY DIALOGUE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000142 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: KARBALA GEARING UP FOR PIC; CONTINUING SECURITY DIALOGUE WITH ANBAR HILLAH 00000142 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Angus T. Simmons, Team Leader, PRT Karbala, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Karbala reporting cable. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: BG Cardon (3ID D-CGS),Karbala PRT Leader, PRTOffs and the local MiTT Team met with Karbala Governor Aqeel October 16 in the 8th IA Division compound in Husseiniya to discuss planning for the upcoming PIC (Provincial Iraqi Control) ceremony scheduled for October 29. Other topics discussed included the upcoming second round of the Anbar/Karbala security dialogue October 20, the Southern Governor's Conference in Baghdad October 18 and PRT movements in Karbala. The Governor also expressed his objections to the implementation of the Concerned Citizen Program (CCP, similar to the program being run in North Babil) in Karbala. END SUMMARY. -------------- PIC Discussion -------------- ¶3. (C) Governor Aqeel began the discussion by saying that all legal and administrative issues for the handing over of the security file to the province (aka PIC) on Monday October 29 have been arranged that that he is in constant communication with the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff on the issue. One of the few difficulties that has arisen is due to the fact that Karbala is one of the few provinces that has both a government and an operations room (PJCC). In a meeting with the head of the operations room and IP Chief last week, it was agreed to hold the ceremony in the soccer stadium in Karbala and a press campaign was outlined (NOTE: PRT is going to follow up to get more detailed information on the planned press campaign. END NOTE.) BG Cardon informed the Governor that the transportation issues for VIP attendance would be worked out over the next day or two and would be a topic at the Wednesday October 17 meeting between the ISF and CF involved in the security planning for the event. The Governor plans to open the ceremony, followed by the PM or his representative and then remarks by General Petreaus; it is currently scheduled to begin at 1000 a.m. and last two to three hours with a luncheon following the ceremony. -------------- Anbar/Karbala Security Dialogue -------------- ¶4. (C) Governor Aqeel confirmed that he spoke to Governor Ma'moun of Anbar two days before Eid and they agreed that the next round of the Anbar/Karbala Security Dialogue would take place in Ramadi on Saturday October 20. The two governors agreed that the talks should include a large number of tribal sheiks from both provinces provided secure transportation was available; BG Cardon promised the Governor helicopter support for a 20-30 person delegation from Karbala. The Governor requested that the delegation be picked up at the Governorate Compund (GC),but PRT later confirmed that arrangements for staging and flight to Ramadi will have to be done from the IA compound in Husseiniya. Governor Aqeel noted that he plans to follow up the Anbar dialogue with similar discussions with Sala'adin and Diyala, once the security situation improves. The Governor also pointed out that he hosted an Iftar banquet for 195 tribal sheikhs who all signed a document of `mutual cooperation and support' and agreed to form a Tribal Committee. [NOTE: The Governor was insistent that the Karbala Committee would NOT/NOT be a tribal council or `awakening' like those established in Anbar and elsewhere. END NOTE.] This tribal committee will play a role in the economic and political development of the province. -------------- Southern Governor's Conference -------------- ¶5. (C) Governor Aqeel was pleased about the upcoming Southern Governor's Conference October 18, saying that the governors have been wanting one for a long time. He expressed a hope that there would be an opportunity to meet with the Ministers of Interior and Defense to discuss securing training and equipment for key security units, particularly the newly-created third, fourth and fifth battalions. The Governor said that, while the last meeting the Southern Governors had with Ambassador Crocker was positive, there was no follow-up on issues discussed and he hoped that wouldn't be the case again this time. -------------- --- Concerned Citizen Program (CCP) for Karbala -------------- --- HILLAH 00000142 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. (S) Governor Aqeel was dismayed by information he had heard that an attempt was being made to organize a Concerned Citizen Program (CCP, similar to what is being done in North Babil). He was told that the sheiks were collecting weapons and would be paid $25/day ($10/day for their followers) for patrolling certain roads in the province. He even went so far as to say that one sheik told him that he was `under pressure' from CF to participate in this initiative. The Governor vowed to fight any idea that was not coordinated with the provincial and/or central governments and said that he had voiced his concerns to the Prime Minister. The Governor believes strongly that any CCP initiative would be counterproductive in Karbala and would only lead to the creation of new militias, reiterating that he was doing everything in his power to control the security situation in Karbala. 7.(S) [NOTE: MiTT Commander LTC Roberts explained that Karbala IP Chief BG Ri'ad had approached them on the issue (through 1st of the 501st in Iskan),exploring the possibility of forming CCPs in Karbala. This was prior to events of 27-28 August when it was unclear if both the Governor and the ISF could withstand JAM influence, intimidation, and direct attacks. This program was the tribe's opportunity to protect their areas from JAM influence. Since 27-28 August, the security environment has dramatically improved. The ability to sustain this environment is contingent on GOI promises for three additional battalions which have not yet been realized. If these forces are not formed soon, the shortfall will create an environment where concerned citizens may be necessary. Once BG Ri'ad told the MiTT team a few days ago that the Governor was not at all supportive of the idea, CF immediately backed off. END NOTE.] -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) This was one of the more constructive and focused meetings with the Karbala Governor. Like the Governor of Diwaniyah, Governor Aqeel is not eager to see the sheiks develop an independent power base nor have resources distributed beyond his control. On the CCP, it was clear that the Governor did not understand the program and mirrored many of the same concerns as senior GOI officials. The Governor's comment that he supported the PRT's interaction with a broad cross-section of society (in particular the Tribal Committee) as long as it pertained to `democracy-building' was welcome as he has been less enthusiastic in the past about the PRT interacting with any entities outside his scope. He also encouraged the PRT to work more closely with district governments and local councils, a suggestion on which the PRT will certainly act as conditions permit. SIMMONS