WORKING DRAFT OF UIA-SADR TREND CEASE-FIRE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001467 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV IR SUBJECT: WORKING DRAFT OF UIA-SADR TREND CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Greg D'Elia for reasons 1.4 ( b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Sadrist Trend and UIA representatives continued to discuss a draft cease-fire agreement on May 11th. UIA sources told us that senior Trend officials Sheikh Waleed and Ahmed Ridha had arrived from Sadr City and Najaf to replace Nisar al-Rubaie as chief negotiators for the Trend. The heated discussion reportedly focused on the fourth point of the draft text (recognizing government sovereignty over Sadr City),with the Sadrists arguing the point was superfluous and implied by the rest of the document. In a May 10 press conference PM Maliki emphasized that the negotiations were between "the UIA and Sadr movement, not the government and Sadr movement," but also said the government welcomes any effort that supports the authority of the state in security matters. PM Maliki will reportedly address the Council of Representatives (COR) on May 12, and his comments are expected to focus on the cease-fire and current GOI operation in Sadr City. ¶2. (C) A rough translation of the working draft follows: 1) An end to all armed manifestations and those that bear arms against the security forces. 2) Clear Sadr City of all IEDs and mines. 3) Confirmation that there is no siege of Sadr City on the condition that security authorities remain to guarantee security within it as is the situation in other areas. 4) Extension of government authority over Sadr City and imposition of rule of law on it, and there is no right for any person or front to interfere in its work, be it security, services, economics, or other. 5) All political parties are able to pursue their efforts in total freedom, and no individual or front is allowed to oppose that. 6) No interference in government efforts to arrest wanted persons lawfully and execute these arrests under the authority of the prime minister. 7) The Iraqi government has the sole authority to define the number and type of forces necessary to enforce security in the city, with the provision the forces will not be directed against innocent lives and property and will respect human rights. 8) Complete all arrests with official warrants except for those who confront the government with weapons. 9) Forbid the targeting of the Green Zone, government sites and the city with mortars and all other weapons from Sadr City and elsewhere. 10) The government has the right to raid and inspect any site suspected of containing heavy or medium weapons. 11) To them (Sadrists): End all extrajudicial courts. To the government: Prosecute and punish those responsible. 12) If all conditions are respected the government will stop asking for assistance from American forces. 13) Necessity of a positive media speech directed to the government and a halting of the propaganda and public denunciations of it. 14) Form a committee from the UIA to ensure compliance with the above concepts. CROCKER