ANBAR POLITICAL LEADERS DISCUSS POLITICAL AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000039 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: ANBAR POLITICAL LEADERS DISCUSS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE AMBASSADOR REF: BAGHDAD 4224 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Four Anbari leaders met with the Ambassador December 31, to highlight the newly formed Anbar Higher Committee (AHC) as a conflict-resolution mechanism in the province. Anbar is eager to pursue an economic zone (EZ), perhaps in the city of al-Qaim. The Anbaris noted the lack of support from the central GOI regarding service-delivery improvements in the area of oil/fuel products, electricity, water and sewage, Public Distribution System (PDS) rations, and security. The Mayor of Nukhayb district in the Anbar Province also shared concerns over the GOI/MOI transferring security coverage to Karbala, and deep-seated fears the GOI will attempt to redraw or expand the Karbala provincial border into Nukhayb. The Anbar leaders thanked the Ambassador and Coalition Forces (CF) for USG support during the past year in fighting against al-Qaeda, and asked for on-going support to resolve problems with the central GOI. End summary. ANBAR HIGHER COMMITTEE -------------- ¶2. (C) Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rafe Al-Essawi informed the Ambassador of the formation of the "Anbar Higher Committee" (AHC) (ref A) on behalf of the four Anbar leaders present -- Governor of Anbar Ma'amoun Sami al-Alwani; Chairman of the Provincial Council Dr. Abdulsalam; Mayor of Nukhayb Sheikh Lawrence; and Sheikh Hameed Turki al-Shooka, Chairman of the Anbar Sheikhs Council. He emphasized this new committee "will work as one team for Anbar." He mentioned that the Anbar Higher Council (AHC) is working to develop a Sunni-Shi'a tribal delegation for the International Visitors Program (IVP) to be scheduled in February 2008. (Note: This is a follow-up to the visit of the Anbar delegation from November 2007. End note). Provincial Council (PC) Chairman Abdulsalam also promoted the new AHC as a mechanism to promote inclusion of the tribes, to resolve conflicts in Anbar, and to continue fighting al-Qaeda. ECONOMIC ZONE -------------- ¶3. (C) PC Chairman Abdulsalam informed the Ambassador of Anbar's intent to pursue an economic zone in the upcoming year. He added that the PC has a great relationship with DPM Saleh and that Anbari leaders would discuss this idea with �00A;him in the new year. Anbar is in the process of identifying a location for the economic zone. PC Chair Abdulsalam and Governor Ma'amoun asked for the Ambassador's support of this effort. The Ambassador assured them he would engage DPM Saleh on this issue in the near future. PROBLEMS WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) Governor Ma'amoun highlighted numerous problems with the central government, and highlighted service-delivery to the province as a particular problem. "The electricity crisis," he said, "is getting much worse." He lamented that Anbar does not see any help from the Ministry of Electricity on this problem. Obtaining oil/fuel products is also very difficult. He complained that the central GOI was extending offers for development to Syrian and Iranian companies. The Governor expressed, however, that the Anbaris wanted American oil companies to develop any hydrocarbon resources in the province. Similarly, on the project for the refinery in Haditha, the MoO was not adequately supporting the restart. He claimed that the GOI is not consulting with the Anbar PC or provincial government. He asked for the Ambassador's support in trying to resolve these problems with the central GOI ministries. ¶5. (C) Service delivery of the Public Distribution System (PDS) rations is another area in which the Anbaris claimed that the central GOI is failing them. The Ministry of Municipalities is not providing Anbar sufficient water and sewer services. The Anbar leaders also fear that provincial funds from the Ministry of Finance are being stolen because they are transported by an Iraqi private company instead of Coalition Forces. The lack of sufficient equipment and pay for guards at the border posts in Anbar between Syria and Jordan is another area of concern. Rafe Essawi blamed the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for some of these security issues. The Ambassador encouraged the Anbar political leaders to engage the central GOI, particularly the Minister of Electricity Kareem Wahid and Minister of Oil Hussein Shahristani regarding these concerns during one of their visits. BAGHDAD 00000039 002 OF 002 NUKHAYB DISTRICT AND FEARS OF KARBALA EXPANSION -------------- -- ¶6. (C) Sheikh Lawrence, the Mayor of Nukhayb, shared with the Ambassador problems that Nukhayb has had with the central government. Of particular concern, he discussed, was a GOI decision (through MoI) to transfer responsibility for security coverage of the Nukhayb district to Karbala. He added, "Nukhayb has been part of Anbar province for forty-seven years and not a conflict zone. Security in the province should be ours." He highlighted the interference in security for the Hajj and the GOI's/MOI's ill-advised attempt to insert security posts from neighboring provinces in Anbar police stations. Anbaris also fear that the GOI will attempt to redraw the Anbar/Karbala provincial border to restore it to the pre-1990s jurisdiction (Note: Saddam changed the border after the 1991 Shi'a revolt to punish the Shi'ites. End Note). Anbar leaders are now nervous about the border being re-adjusted under Article 140 of the Constitution. UNITING TRIBES IN ANBAR -------------- ¶7. (C) Sheikh Hameed Turki, Chairman of the Anbar Sheikhs Council, highlighted security improvements in Anbar since the tribes stood up with Coalition Forces to fight against al-Qaeda. "Through this tribal committee," he said, "eighteen sheikhs have united from the big tribes in Anbar to support security, reconstruction efforts, and to rebuild trust in Anbar province." He complained that the tribes in Southern Iraq are being heavily influenced by the Iranians and asked for USG support on this issue. CROCKER