ENCOURAGING CREDIBLE VOICES TO COUNTER VIOLENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003835 SIPDIS STATE FOR U/S GLASSMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2018 TAGS: PGOV KPAO IZ SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING CREDIBLE VOICES TO COUNTER VIOLENT EXTREMISM - THE CASE OF IRAQ REF: A. STATE 127045 ¶B. BAGHDAD 2720 Classified By: PAO Ambassador Ereli for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Few places have suffered the ravages of violent extremism more than Iraq. There is a wealth of powerful and persuasive Iraqi voices that speak out against this violence. In coordination with Mission elements, the Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I) and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs),the Public Affairs Section (PAS) uses the full range of public diplomacy products to fulfill our strategic goals of promoting tolerance, reconciliation and peaceful democratic change. ¶2. (C) There is always more that can be done, however. Our national leadership has called this struggle, &the long war,8 which means that we have to take a long-term approach to the problem. For most of its modern history as a state, and certainly since 1958, Iraq has defined itself in opposition to, if not open hostility with, its neighbors and the West. We have now an opportunity to change history and reorient Iraq. Public diplomacy can do its part through programs that promote strong, enduring linkages between Iraqi and U.S. institutions. Over time, these institutional relationships will produce a moderate, progressive citizenry and leadership. ¶3. (C) In the short-term, it is important that Iraqis and others in the region remain alert to and informed of the continuing threat posed by violent extremism. With the significant decrease in number and lethality of attacks (overall levels of violence in Iraq are at their lowest in four years),we must not be lulled into a false sense of security. As outlined in reftel B, AQI remains active, resilient and resourceful. We should work with others in the region ) Saudi Arabia, pan-Arab media networks and our own CT community -- to stimulate public discussion about the changing tactics and continuing threats posed by violent extremists. End summary. -------------- Working with Iraqi Voices -------------- ¶4. (C) There is no shortage of credible, persuasive Iraqis, who speak out publicly against extremist violence. These include: civilian and military spokespersons for &Fardh al Qanun8 (Rule of Law),the Baghdad security plan that targeted and defeated the insurgency; tribal leaders who led the &Sahwa8 (Awakening) that expelled AQI form Western and central Iraq; religious leaders and educators who preach tolerance; members of Parliament and provincial officials. The breadth and depth of sectarian and extremist violence in Iraq has been so great that in virtually every community one can find ) and we work with ) brave Iraqis who understand and share our messages. For example, Sunni Arab tribal leaders and Shia clerics, including Grand Ayatollah Sistani, have been extremely effective in changing attitudes within their communities. The former got some help from MNF-I, while Sistani and the marja,iyah have done so quite independently from us. ¶5. (C) At the largest Embassy in the world, many different offices and agencies support programs to identify, support, train, equip and empower voices of moderation and tolerance ) MNF-I, PRTs Political, USAID, Rule of Law ) to name but a few. This effort is wide-ranging and decentralized. A partial list follows, based on those programs that PAS is familiar with and on the limited time available to gather information. --- GOI Spokesman Training: Over the past 5 years, MNF-I and PAS have helped train and build the capacity of an outstanding cadre of GOI Spokespersons, who are active and effective in speaking out against extremism. Spokesmen from Qeffective in speaking out against extremism. Spokesmen from the Prime Minister,s Office, Baghdad Security Plan (&Fardh al Qanun8) and the Ministries of Defense and Interior routinely brief the public on operations and initiatives to fight terror and sectarianism. --- Exchanges: With the world,s largest International visitor program, we use a significant number of grants to identify and promote civic and religious leaders at the local level. In FY08 we sent groups of eight tribal Sheikhs and from Anbar and seven Imams from Shia and Sunni communities in Baghdad on programs focusing on politics and interfaith dialogue. Another nine Sheikhs and Imams will travel from Anbar, as well as five mayors and four provincial council members from other parts of Iraq. --- Pundits and Journalists: PAS has developed relationships with a broad range of intellectuals and leading journalists who appear frequently as talking heads on Iraqi TV. (85% of Iraqis get their news from television.) We meet regularly for free-flowing discussions of news of the day and policy. We use these occasions to help inform their understanding of issues of importance to us and to learn from them about how Iraqis view these issues. --- DRL-funded programming encourages local community activists to work against extremism and build bridges across ethnic and sectarian lines in sensitive governorates like Kirkuk and Ninewa. DRL also funds public-service messages that highlight moderation and democratic themes. --- Iraq Education Initiative (IEI): Prime Minister Maliki has established a government scholarship program that will send 10,000 Iraqis per year overseas for higher education. It is important for the United States to attract as many of these students as possible. There is no better way to fight extremism in Iraq than by providing its successor generation with an American education. --- Mission Information Support Team (MIST): A CENTCOM Psyops component is assigned to Public Affairs under COM authority and has been extremely effective in encouraging credible voices. It has organized and funded a series of events designed to promote peace and reconciliation. They include poetry readings, concerts and Koranic recitations that bring together Sunni and Shi,a communities. When bundled with media coverage and subsequent re-transmission, these events reach an audience of millions. --- Theater: The Mission is using a popular theater troupe to perform plays that promote messages of democracy, anti-corruption and counter-terrorism throughout Iraq. Initially begun in Wasit province at the initiative of the local PRT and Rule of Law office, productions are being sponsored nationwide and recorded for broadcast and mass distribution. -------------- Institutional Linkage -------------- ¶6. (C) Iraq,s universities are an important target set for us in terms of identifying and cultivating key influencers. These institutions were virtually cut off from the outside world for the last decades of Saddam,s rule, and they are hungry for relationships with U.S. universities. They want faculty and research exchanges, curriculum development assistance, on-line resources and management ideas. Seizing this opportunity is in our national interest, and PAS is working closely with ECA on an initiative that will bring together Presidents of Iraqi and American universities. Our aim is to develop institutional linkages that will over the long-term produce the most effective antidote to extremism -- an educated, progressive and tolerant citizenry. -------------- Talking About What Work -------------- ¶7. (C) Reftel B highlighted the changing nature of AQI,s tactics and the importance of stimulating a public discussion in the region, by the region, of what this tells us about their intentions, capabilities and the long war that is still far from over. Using al Hurra and MBC to host discussion programs about this issue, with Saudi officials, Iraqi tribal leaders and others who had success in confronting al Qaeda, could be effective in educating the public that while Al Qaeda,s tactics have changed, its strategies and values have not. CROCKER