RSO MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003484


NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR F, M, DS, DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/NEA,
DS/T/ATA, DS/ICI/CI, S/CT, NEA, AND NEA/SCA/EX

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018
TAGS: ASEC IZ PINS PTER
SUBJECT: RSO MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR TO
DISCUSS INTEGRATION

REF: BAGHDAD 02750

Classified By: RSO Mark J. Hipp for reasons 1.4 (B),(D),and (G)


1. (C/NF) Summary: On 10/31/2008, RSO met with the Minister
of the Interior (MOI) to discuss further specifics regarding
the integration of Iraqi forces into RSO's protective
security operation. The RSO updated the Minister on recent
progress and underscored the need to accelerate the VIP
training initiative. The Minister offered RSO 30 members of
the Emergency Service Brigade to jump-start the initiative
and suggested a subsequent meeting with members of his
hierarchy to forge the way forward. The Minister also
recommended the formation of a recruiting and selection
committee in order to ensure the selection of appropriate
candidates for the ATA-sponsored training program. The RSO
reiterated his appreciation to the Minister for his support
and negotiated the use of the polygraph for vetting purposes.
The Minister assured the RSO that recruitment would be broad
based and ethnically diverse, relying on personal
recommendations from suitable officers within the MOI. End
Summary.


2. (C/NF) On 10/31/2008, RSO met with Interior Minister
Jawad al-Bolani to discuss the recent visit by the
Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) team, ATA's preliminary
assessment, budget requirements, and the size and scope of
the program proposed for Iraq. The Minister welcomed the
initiative and reiterated the importance of the program,
particularly with regard to Iraqi sovereignty. Minister
Bolani understood the sensitivities of the initiative and
pledged full support, offering thirty (30) members of the
MOI's Emergency Service Brigade (ESB) to jump-start the
initiative. The RSO thanked the Minister, rejoining that the
ESB has been vetted and tested by the US military and the GOI.


3. (C/NF) The Minister opined that this initiative could be
controversial within the different GOI Ministries, advising
that many would like to contribute personnel to the program.
The RSO and the Minister agreed that it would be best to
recruit from the spectrum of entities, thus ensuring broad
base support and an ethnically diverse program, which is
essential for long-term success. In order to ensure
appropriate recruitment, the Minister suggested and RSO
accepted a follow on meeting, which would include the
Minister, the Commanding General of the Iraqi National
Police, the Commander of the ESB, RSO, and RSO's Police
Advisor. The Minister advised that his staff assistant would
schedule this meeting in the near future.


4. (C/NF) Querying the Minister on the use of the polygraph,
the RSO brokered an agreement with the Minister that the
polygraph can be utilized to vet and screen potential
candidates. The Minister further commented that each
applicant would be recommended by appropriately-ranked
officers and that he would form a recruiting and selection
committee to ensure that the right personnel were selected
for the program. The Minister concluded the meeting by
reiterating his support for the initiative.


5. (C) RSO Comment: RSO anticipates providing both the GOI
MOI and the KRG Peshmerga a qualification's list, so they can
begin to assemble their recommended candidates. Once these
lists are compiled and obtained, RSO will commence vetting
the candidates, which will require additional DS assets to
conduct names traces, interviews, and polygraphs, as
appropriate. RSO anticipates that the vetting process alone
will take several months, providing the Department sufficient
time to identify funding sources for the program.


6. (U) RSO will keep the Department apprised of any
pertinent developments in Post's integration initiative.
CROCKER