Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD4076
2008-12-31 13:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

MUTHANNA SHEIKH SAYS TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS

Tags:  POL PGOV IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7928
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #4076 3661345
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 311345Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1078
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004076 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: POL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA SHEIKH SAYS TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS
OPERATE WITHOUT PROVINCIAL COUNCIL SUPPORT

Classified By: Muthanna PRT Leader Bradley Lynch for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004076

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: POL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: MUTHANNA SHEIKH SAYS TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCILS
OPERATE WITHOUT PROVINCIAL COUNCIL SUPPORT

Classified By: Muthanna PRT Leader Bradley Lynch for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).


1. (U) This is a Muthanna PRT reporting cable


2. (C) SUMMARY: PRT Team Leader met with Sheikh Abu Chefat
to discuss current political issues in Muthanna, including
Tribal Support Council (SC) activities in the province.
Chefat stated that despite the lack of Provincial Council
(PC) support, SCs in Muthanna meet regularly and cooperate
with the Iraqi Army (IA) on security matters. According to
Chefat, the tribes and SCs prefer to work with the IA because
it is viewed as apolitical, while the Iraqi Police (IP) are
thought to be closely aligned with political parties. Chefat
also delivered a letter addressed to POTUS reminding him of
his promise to include tribal leaders in Iraq's governing
process. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) Muthanna PRT Leader met Sheikh Abu Chefat at Tallil
Air Base to discuss current political issues. Chefat
reaffirmed his support for the Security Agreement, pointing
out that he had been in favor of it from the beginning. He
apologized for the shoes thrown at POTUS in Baghdad, and he
shared some interesting information regarding tribal support
council activity in this province.

--------------
NO PC SUPPORT FOR SCs
--------------


4. (C) According to Chefat, there is no provincial council
(PC) support in Muthanna for SCs. He expects that SCs will
have to wait until after the provincial elections to achieve
closer relations with the Provincial Council. He believes
that PC members see the SCs as watchdog organizations that
will hold PC members accountable for their actions, which
they do not want. This has not deterred the SCs, who are
meeting regularly, forming committees, and cooperating with
the IA on security matters. Chefat informed us that the SCs
have chosen to work with the IA because they feel that the IP
is too closely aligned with political parties. Chefat listed
anti-terrorism, anti-drugs, and combating foreign influence
as the primary focus of IA-SC interaction. He proudly
proclaimed, "Don't worry about security here; the SCs have it
under control. We have eyes everywhere."

--------------
"FRIENDSHIP COUNCIL" SUGGESTED
--------------


5. (SBU) Chefat welcomed the prospect of a new PRT office at
Eastern Barracks near the provincial capital, Samawah. He
thought that a USG presence inside the province would
strengthen our relationship with the people of Muthanna. To
help reach that goal, Chefat suggested that the PRT form a
"Friendship Council" incorporating tribal leaders, university
professors, and young people. He views this as an
opportunity to reach out to people without subverting the
PRT's relationship with the elected government.

--------------
POTUS PROMISE
--------------


6. (SBU) Chefat opened the meeting by delivering a personal
letter addressed to President Bush reminding him of his
promise to include tribal leaders in Iraq's governing
process. He claims that this commitment was made during his
visit to the White House earlier this year.
CROCKER