BABIL: PRT HOSTS SHEIKHS' ROUNDTABLE

UNCLAS HILLAH 000155 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KISL IZ IR SUBJECT: BABIL: PRT HOSTS SHEIKHS' ROUNDTABLE REF: A. A) HILLAH 143 ¶B. B) HILLAH 150 ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: On November 13, PRT Babil hosted a gathering of Sunni and Shi'a tribal sheikhs from throughout the province. The sheikhs criticized the current political leadership of the province while blaming the US for allowing foreign influences to penetrate Iraq. In contrast to the current provincial government, the tribal leaders presented themselves as an untapped resource with broad connections who could be counted on to restore security and economic stability in the province. The sheikhs welcomed the opportunity to present their views to the PRT and expressed the desire to maintain a dialogue with the PRT. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) On November 13, PRT Babil hosted a gathering of twenty-one Babil tribal sheikhs representing both Sunni and Shi'a sects. The sheikhs expressed gratitude to the PRT for hosting the event. They also emphasized their willingness and ability to work together with Coalition forces to improve security and foster a climate of reconciliation in Babil. Comment: Although participants came at the behest of former Babil governor Iskander Witwit, the latter did not dominate the free-flowing and animated discussion. Witwit, a former Governor of Babil Province has made clear his own intention to run for governor or other elected office in the future. Witwit was removed from office by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in December 2003 due to popular discontent with his tenure and overwhelming rumors of profiteering. End comment. ¶4. (SBU) The sheikhs' characterization of Babil's provincial government as inept, corrupt, and driven by narrow sectarian interests formed a recurring theme throughout the three-hour gathering. They pinned the blame for this state of affairs on political parties and the closed-list electoral system. According to the sheikhs, the closed-list brought forth elected officials unaccountable to the people they purport to represent. ¶5. (SBU) More ominously, the sheikhs alleged US policies opened the door to "outsiders" -- particularly, Iranians but also foreign Sunni fighters -- to meddle in the province. In this vein, they cited the successful role of tribes against Al-Qaeda in Anbar province and asserted that they, with the support of Coalition forces, could reverse gains by outsiders in Babil. Moreover, the sheikhs argued that they were not sectarian and, consequently, could serve as a check against religious influence in government. ¶6. (SBU) Concomitantly with their desire to play a leading role in restoring security, the tribal leaders stressed the need for a strong government role in support of economic growth. Specifically, the sheikhs cited the need to tackle youth unemployment, subsidize agriculture, clean canals, and establish an effective telecommunications network. According to the tribal leaders, Babil officials were non-responsive to their requests for reconstruction projects. The sheikhs also noted that no national or provincial officials consulted them on provincial budgetary issues, including the USD 40 million supplemental promised by Barham Saleh on September 30 (reftel), and expressed grave concern over the fate of the capital budget funds as a whole. ¶7. (SBU) In subsequent one-on-one conversation with a well respected local sheikh, this long-time friend to the PRT said many Shi'a tribal and clan elders through southern Babil, Northern Najaf, eastern Karbala and western Diwaniya would gladly assist in a trial security zone if supported by Coalition forces. He said that a large number of tribal leaders are increasingly concerned over what he called the growing repression by Iranian influenced government figures and the influx of money and arms to the Shi'a militias and government figure hired goons. He said his fellow sheikhs are worried over the sending of young men, perhaps as many as 1,500, to Lebanon for training and their return to Iraq for "no good purpose" (NFI). He also spoke of arms and explosives coming in from Iran hidden in trucks of fruits and vegetables while Iraqi authorities sympathetic to Iran just looked the other way. He said the people need American help to stop the destruction of the country and they, the tribes, would do the work if there were assurances they would not be abandoned, as many Shi'a believe happened in 1991. WITT