DIWANIYAH RESIDENTS' OPINIONS ON PROPOSED SOFA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003664

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: DIWANIYAH RESIDENTS' OPINIONS ON PROPOSED SOFA

Classified By: PRT Diwaniyah Team Leader Robert Pitre for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).

(U) This is a PRT Diwaniyah reporting cable.


1. (SBU) Summary: This cable summarizes comments about the
proposed SOFA agreement made to the PRT by Diwaniyah city
residents, including local officials. Some remarks were made
during meetings scheduled by the PRT for other purposes,
while most were made during conversations with PRT Locally
Employed Staff (LES). Most residents who spoke with the PRT
are aware of the SOFA in broad outline and the majority
supports a continued U.S. presence in Iraq. Comments were
made during the first two weeks of November. End summary.


2. (C) The following statements, which constitute just a
fraction of the overall total of comments received, were made
by people who support a continued U.S. presence in Iraq.
Some expressed direct support for the SOFA, while others did
not directly address the SOFA itself. The majority of
everyday citizens voiced sentiments similar to those made by
local dignitaries, but with an even stronger emphasis on
fears of Iranian influence.

- Sheikh Hussein as-Shalaan, Council of Representatives
member affiliated with the Iraqi National Accord: "The
agreement between Iraq and AMERICA is necessary to organize
relations between them...The agreement will be accepted and
clear, especially after making some more amendments to
it...U.S. withdrawal from Iraq must be conditioned by
readiness of Iraqi troops."

- Mahmoud Hassan, Chamber of Commerce representative: "The
U.S.-Iraq deal is good because it will rid Iraq of UN Article
7 and it maintains respect for Iraqi citizens."

- Amir, an Iraqi Army Captain: "The government of Iraq is a
little too loyal to Iran. The U.S. presence is required to
provide security for the country and limit Iranian influence."

- Sheikh Nabil, a tribal leader: "The presence of U.S. troops
in Iraq will prevent Iranian elements from infiltrating Iraq,
even if the conditions in the deal (SOFA) are tough, it is
better than chancing Iranian presence."

- Majid, a local attorney: "The agreement is very necessary
for Iraqis due to the benefits that it will bring our
citizens. Iraqi troops are unable to provide enough security
for our territory."

- Hamid Jat, a local doctor: "The continued U.S. presence in
Iraq is necessary to sustain security but must not remain
forever."

- Hasan Wa'ili, Governorate Electoral Officer, expressed
concern over suspected ties between provincial political
parties and Iran. "It is probable that Iran is funding, or
attempting to bribe, their way into provincial politics.
They are seeking to create puppet politicians." Wa'ili
offered no direct evidence of this.

- Anonymous: "Iraq is threatened by neighboring countries and
each neighboring state plans to take control of the parts of
Iraq nearest to its borders."

- Anonymous: "I heard that Iranians insolently remarked that
they will replace American forces - and the Americans are
better than the Iranians."


3. (C) The following comments were made by people who oppose
a continued U.S. presence in Iraq and do not support the SOFA.

- Abid Muslim Alghizi, Provincial Council Member affiliated
with Iraqi National Accord: "No deal can be made without
telling people the requirements of it...It is shameful for
the U.S. Government to use a threatening manner so as to
force the Iraqi Government to approve the (SOFA) with the
U.S. The fact is that it is too sensitive for Iraqis to do
that. (The U.S.) used to teach their soldiers to respect
Iraqis and not eat in front of the fasting Muslims of Iraq,
but the proposed pact is different."

- Anonymous: "The existence of coalition forces is a
violation of the sovereignty of Iraq and that brings us back
to colonial military control."

- Anonymous: "The presence of these forces in Iraq and on the
land of the prophets, messengers, and imams is a desecration
of our land and a violation of our rights."


4. (C) Comment: Provincial government employees and local
citizens express concerns about their lack of understanding
about the SOFA, its details, and its implications. The

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majority of people who have discussed the SOFA with the PRT
have been favorably inclined toward signing it -- albeit in
some cases with (unspecified) amendments. Sometimes key
members within the same party express wildly divergent
opinions. Many Diwaniyah residents have concerns about a
continued U.S. presence but even greater worries about Iran.
While the province is currently under an Islamic Supreme
Council in Iraq (ISCI) government, which has pro-Iranian
leanings, local officials also seem to have concerns with a
possible failure to sign the SOFA. End comment.
CROCKER