BASRAH JOURNALISTS ON SECURITY, RECONSTRUCTION AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BASRAH 000053 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PGOV IZ IR SUBJECT: BASRAH JOURNALISTS ON SECURITY, RECONSTRUCTION AND ELECTIONS BASRAH 00000053 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: REO Director and Public Affairs officer met with a series of journalists from print and broadcast media in April and May. Their views were not uniform but remarkably similar, with many common questions about U.S. policy, positions, and actions. There is concern that Basrah, because of its proximity to Iran, could be affected if the U.S. takes military action against Iran. Another issue is what reporters describe as the "invisibility of reconstruction in the city." When these journalists spoke of human rights, they focus on meeting basic physical needs rather than personal freedoms. At the end of each meeting, journalists role-played asking Ambassador Crocker questions. Their questions ranged from how much influence the U.S. exercises over the prime minister to why U.S. forces are in southern Iraq. Charge of the Knights: Wait and See -------------- ¶2. The collective view of the journalists was that the success of the Charge of Knights (COK) military offensive by the Iraqi Army has removed the noose around the neck of this city of almost three million, but the potential for the hangman returning remains. Today Basra is relatively secure. There are weddings in public. Families are in the parks. There is less oppression of women's dress standards. Students feel more comfortable at the university. Before COK only religious music was sold; now stores sell popular music. Weapons, however, are still in the city. Borders areas are open. It was pointed out that before COK many crimes were committed by police intelligence. Unlike the Army, which was well received by the people, the police continue to pose a threat to the security of Basra. One reporter believes "You can kick them out the door but they will come back through the window." A new police chief has been named and the hope is that he will reform the force. Until that happens, people are in a "wait and see" mood. Iranian Influence in Basrah -------------- ¶3. The journalists said that Basrawis worry about undue Iranian influence and potential U.S. conflict with Iran. The border between Iran and Basrah is long, porous and generally unguarded. There is a flow of goods from Iran into Basrah, with Iranian produce dominating the markets. During the March/April COK, weapons and supplies with Iranian markings were discovered throughout the city. Widespread reports circulated about militia leaders fleeing to Iran as Iraqi forces (with Coalition help) locked the city down. Because of Basrah's heavy losses during the Iran-Iraq war, women make up 66% of Basrah's population; concern for women and other civilians, and remembrance of that war's devastation led one journalist to ask whether Iraq would be the battlespace for a U.S. war with Iran. Invisible Reconstruction -------------- ¶4. According to State's recently released brochure "Aiding Iraq," almost $2.4 billion has been spent on Basrah Province. The footnote to this entry says this amount represents only projects in the Iraq Reconstruction Management System. The REO has distributed this brochure to all of its contacts. Glancing it over, journalists wanted to know where the money had gone. The people can't see the projects, they say. No building has the sign "Built with U.S. funds." What people see in many areas of the city is wastewater in the streets, tap water they cannot drink, and mountains of garbage. The journalists were not averse to U.S. branding of projects; REO officers noted to them in the meetings that security considerations had made it difficult to brand some projects, and for others it was important that projects had an Iraqi face. Human Rights Vary -------------- ¶5. The definition of human rights appeared to vary between many Basrawis and Americans. America sees human rights carved in stone, one reporter said, but Basrawis see it as meeting basic needs. Men and women do not have equal human rights in Basrah; women are denied freedoms. Last month a young woman's father and brothers killed her because of her friendship with a British soldier. The father was released without charges. Where is the civil law, people ask? Unfortunately even with civil law, many people will be governed by tribal social and cultural traditions. Is a social revolution for women possible in Iraq? One female reporter said maybe we could share power; after all, women work in banks. Champion Saddam and Elections -------------- ¶6. To counter the dominant political parties, reporters suggest U.S. and British support liberal candidates. The consensus is that religious parties will lose ground this election because people have lost faith in their ability to deliver basic services. Unless strong independent candidates emerge, people will turn to the tribal system for leadership. There is a feeling the central government has already turned to the tribes. This "feeds the beast," one reporter said. It was pointed out Arabic people admire champions. Even Saddam was one. Tribal leaders want to be today's champions. With so many illiterate BASRAH 00000053 002.2 OF 002 voters, the fear is people will be told by the tribes who to vote for. It will take generations to educate people about the concepts of elections and representative government, noted a reporter. Ask Ambassador Crocker -------------- ¶7. What would you ask Ambassador Crocker? This question generated many responses: - What influence do you have on the GOI Prime Minister? Does he say what you want him to say? Is he a puppet? - When will the Ambassador disarm the citizens... because people will never express their opinion while surrounded by guns. - What are U.S. forces doing in Basrah? Why don't they publish press releases? Is there censorship? We know U.S. forces are embedded with the Iraqi Army. - An American officer was killed in Basrah. What was his role? - The British will leave soon; what is the U.S. vision for Basrah? ¶8. COMMENT: Some of these questions require a strategic communication plan stating USG policy in southern Iraq, especially in regard to U.S. troops and reconstruction. A comprehensive public communication plan is underway, for example, with regard to development of the Umm Qasr port. We found the Basrawi journalists take their work seriously; more Iraq journalists have been murdered the last 16 years than in any other country, and Basrah has had a significant share. With the exception of reconstruction, the journalists' general perception of the U.S. was positive. REO has a start on understanding Basrah media perceptions and questions. We propose to use this understanding to initiate regular press conferences with the media, starting with June 3. HOWARD