MAYSAN: THE VIEW FROM RESTIVE MAJAR AL-KABIR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003563 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON IR IZ SUBJECT: MAYSAN: THE VIEW FROM RESTIVE MAJAR AL-KABIR Classified By: PRT Team Leader Dan Foote for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a Maysan PRT reporting cable. ¶2. (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Stating &we have great needs,8 Majar al-Kabir (MAK) city officials told PRT PolOff that they have almost no modern infrastructure and all sectors are in need of assistance. City officials cited these and other problems as the primary source of instability in this heavily Sadrist city, the second largest in Maysan province. They urged improved coordination between the PRT/Coalition Forces (CF) and themselves, and said they hoped that when the U.S. departs Maysan, Maysani officials will be able to point to projects that were the result of USG assistance. They advised that CF/PRT must combat widespread suspicion of USG motives and should focus on realistic assistance goals that will bring some form of immediate relief to MAK residents. MAK officials agreed to further engagements to build this budding relationship with the PRT. End Summary. Dismal Economic Situation is the Cause of Instability -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C/REL MCFI) In a November 4 meeting at Camp Garry Owen, Majar al-Kabir (MAK) Mayor Ahmed Abbas Romayyab and City Council Chair Jassim Saheb Obbayad, both Sadrists, told PRT PolOff that the desperate economic situation in Maysan,s second largest city has been the primary cause for instability. Accompanied by members of the city council, Mayor Ahmed and Council Chair Jassim explained that the city suffers from a severely deficient infrastructure, massive unemployment, and the lack of essential services. (Comment: MAK, widely known as a haven for militias and smugglers, has been the site of recent attacks on Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Coalition Forces (CF). End Comment.) Ahmed said that previous reconstruction efforts were unsuccessful, and urged the PRT to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Stating &we are starting from below zero,8 Ahmed encouraged the PRT/CF to coordinate reconstruction efforts with the city council and complete projects that bring immediate benefits to MAK residents. He advised that smaller projects such as a new internet center and cultural center would bring immediate benefits and convince MAK residents of the U.S. commitment to provide assistance. Electricity and Health Services Needed -------------- ¶4. (C/REL MCFI) Both men agreed that the small health clinic in MAK is insufficient to serve MAK,s 150,000 residents. Mentioning the current 80-bed hospital PRT project in Amarah, Mayor Ahmed encouraged the PRT to explore providing assistance to build a 40-bed clinic (Comment: A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to construct a health clinic in MAK was terminated within the past year, due to reports of security problems by the contractor. The PRT is working with its U.S. Civil Affairs partners to identify funding to complete the clinic. End comment). On electricity, they said that the four substations the British had built were not operational and needed new converters. Suspicion of USG Presence -------------- ¶5. (C/REL MCFI) MAK officials were frank in their assessment of residents, negative view of the U.S. They said the U.S. must avoid the perception of a failure to execute projects, a common opinion of the British still held by Maysanis. They explained the poor view of the U.S. also stems from the deep mistrust among tribal and religious leaders in the province. They cited examples of CF/Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) joint operations &overreacting.8 They said MAK residents were particularly upset when members of the ISF tore down or defaced pictures of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in MAK. They complained this was a violation of the Constitution. They also warned that many Maysanis believe the U.S. is conducting military operations unilaterally, and that this enhances the view of the U.S. as occupiers. PRT PolOff assured the MAK officials that CF are working closely with the ISF and encouraged open communication between MAK officials and PRT/CF to avoid misunderstandings and to counter misinformation circulated by those opposed to the U.S presence. ¶6. (C/REL MCFI) Comment: Although suspicions linger, MAK officials appear eager to engage the PRT/CF to address the serious economic challenges MAK faces. Ongoing tensions between Sadr supporters and the ISF in MAK remain worrisome and further fuel the potential for violence in this agitated community. However, with an ever-widening window to local atmospherics, the PRT/CF can better target capacity building assistance to build confidence among MAK residents. End Comment. BAGHDAD 00003563 002.2 OF 002 CROCKER