IRAQI NSC ON AUGUST 3 REVIEWS DIYALA OPERATIONS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002510 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2018 TAGS: MOPS MARR MASS PREL PTER IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI NSC ON AUGUST 3 REVIEWS DIYALA OPERATIONS AND MEK PRESENCE REF: A. BAGHDAD 02456 ¶B. STATE 076032 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/REL UK AS) Summary: The weekly Iraqi National Security Council meeting on August 3 discussed ongoing security operations in Diyala, resolving the MEK situation, and conforming to UNSCR 1373 (Counter Terrorism measures). The Council also touched on the protection of judicial officials and tensions in Kirkuk. The new Deputy Prime Minister (D/PM) for Services Dr. Rafi Isawi chaired the meeting in the absence of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who was engaged in discussions elsewhere in Baghdad regarding the Election Law. The Ministers of Interior, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, as well as D/PM Barham Salih were also absent. End Summary. Diyala Operations Continue -------------- ¶2. (S/REL UK AS) Minister of Defense Abdul Qadr reported that operations in Diyala continue with good cooperation between the Iraqi Police (IP) and the Iraqi Army (IA) and support from Coalition Forces (CF). He stated there were no problems with logistics and added that operations have been continuous. D/PM Isawi noted that the Governor of Diyala has called for urgent action to re-build the structures damaged in the fighting and provide jobs for young men. MEK at Ashraf -------------- ¶3. (S/REL UK AS) National Security Advisor (NSA) Dr. Muwaffaq Rubaie reported that the GOI was taking steps to place the Ashraf facility where members of the Mujaheddin e-Khalq (MEK) are located under GOI supervision and protection. He noted that the PM was very engaged in this matter and mentioned the need for a letter assuring protection and proper treatment of the MEK members from the GOI to MNF-I before a formal transfer of authority could take place. MOD noted that he had already moved (July 18) a mechanized battalion to Ashraf to provide security around the camp perimeter and points of entry, but that funds were needed to build housing and support structures for the IA battalion now deployed there. Further analysis of their detailed requirements was needed. He added that the battalion would report to the PM through the Baghdad Operations Center (BOC). He also noted that the IA efforts at Ashraf were being closely coordinated with CF. ¶4. (S/REL UK AS) Rubaie, noting the many facets - security, �00A;politics, foreign relations, humanitarian - of the MEK situation, added that the transition from MNF-I to IA security authority would be gradual. Over time, all entries and exits at Ashraf must be under Iraqi control. He noted that of the approximate 3,000 MEK members, some may return to Iran, others will seek refuge elsewhere (Europe perhaps),and a few would remain at Ashraf. ¶5. (S/REL UK AS) Minister of State for National Security (MSNS) Shirwan Wa'eli suggested re-animating the MFA-chaired inter-ministerial committee on MEK and Ashraf. After some discussion of whether MFA or the Ministry of Human Rights has the lead on MEK issues, it was agreed that the General Secretary of the NSA's Office should coordinate a meeting of the relevant agencies, including MOD and MNF-I, and report back in two weeks with recommendations for next steps. ¶6. (S/REL UK AS) Ambassador reminded the Council of the necessity for the aforementioned letter of assurances to move forward in resolving the MEK situation. He applauded the GOI's efforts and counseled it to include the UNHCR and the ICRC in its efforts. Ambassador noted that ICRC has already facilitated return of MEK members to Iran and the UNHCR continues to work on identifying third countries for MEK members unwilling to return to Iran. Rubaie took the point and the D/PM suggested adding the Red Cross to GOI discussions. Conforming to UNSCR 1373 -------------- ¶7. (S/REL UK AS) Safa'a Rasul, Deputy NSA, briefed the Council on Iraq's response to the UNSC regarding its efforts to meet the requirements of UNSCR 1373. Safa'a noted that Iraq had to amend its Counter-Terrorism (CT) law of 2004; the PM had reminded the NSA's Office that this process must conform to article 84 of the Iraqi Constitution. (Note: Article 84 requires that the functions and responsibilities of ministries be regulated by law, precluding a change in responsibilities by executive order. End Note.) Safa'a also BAGHDAD 00002510 002 OF 002 noted that Iraq did not plan to create an intelligence service to combat terrorism as it already had intelligence services needed. Regarding Iraqi adherence to the UN's eleven CT conventions, he reported that the Deputy/NSC would discuss this with the MFA. After some discussion, it was agreed that responsibility for coordinating the GOI response to UNSCR 1373 should be moved from the General Secretary of the Deputy/NSC to a specialized deputies committee of the NSC for further study. Kirkuk and Riot-Gear -------------- ¶8. (S/REL UK AS) MSNS Wa'eli had suggested during discussion of events in Kirkuk that demonstrations should be prohibited. MOD noted that the demonstrations had been planned and approved. He added that the GOI needs to provide crowd-control training and anti-riot gear to its security forces. He also quipped that a few casualties from a suicide bomber would be better than massive casualties resulting from anti-demonstration efforts by security forces neither trained nor equipped for such work. Judges, Budget, Immigration -------------- ¶9. (S/REL UK AS) Early in the meeting D/PM Asawi had noted the need to discuss protection of judges and other judicial officers. Due to the absence of other ministers, this topic and discussion of immigration and budget execution were put off. CROCKER