Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08HILLAH50
2008-05-01 17:08:00
SECRET
REO Hillah
Cable title:  

NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL

Tags:  IZ PGOV ECON 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3213
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHIHL #0050 1221708
ZNY SSSSS
P 011708Z MAY 08
FM REO HILLAH
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH
S E C R E T HILLAH 000050 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/01/2018
TAGS: IZ PGOV ECON
SUBJECT: NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL

SUBJECT: TRIBES CAN PLAY A ROLE IN PUSHING YOUNG MEN AWAY FROM JAM

S E C R E T HILLAH 000050

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/01/2018
TAGS: IZ PGOV ECON
SUBJECT: NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL

SUBJECT: TRIBES CAN PLAY A ROLE IN PUSHING YOUNG MEN AWAY FROM JAM


1. (U) This is a PRT Najaf Cable


2. (S): Begin Summary: In an April 28 meeting with Team
Leader, Governor Asad Abu Gelal said the security situation in
Najaf is not bad compared to other areas of Iraq despite the
recent increase in tension between the GOI and Sadrists
nationawide. Abu Gelal noted the tribes can play a crucial role
in curbing JAM strength, and advocated a targeted program of
assistance to help win them away from the militias. He offered
to look into introducing Team Leader to key Sadrist leader Dr.
Luwa' Smasim. End Summary.

Find Programming to Win the Tribal Youth Away from JAM
-------------- --------------
--------------


3. (C) When Team Leader asked the Governor (strictly protect)
for his assessment of the security situation in Najaf since his
return from Cairo and Amman, Governor Asad said it was not bad
compared to other areas of the country. He said he had a degree
of confidence in political leaders from among the nationalist
Sadrists he knows (and with whom he and others meet on occasion)
in Najaf who put the interests of Iraq and Iraqis first and who
were capable of forming a normal political party, abiding by the
constitution and pursuing politics by peaceful means (Note: The
Governor used the Arabic adjective "watani", meaning nationalist
or patriotic, to describe this group. End note). However, he
expressed concern about JAM, noting that he did not really know
who they are. He said in an impassioned tone to Team Leader,
"the tribes could play a very real role in pushing their young
men away from JAM." However, he noted that it would be very
beneficial to find even modest programming that would support
the tribes. He was forthright in noting that the GOI often did
not yet have the capacity to deliver effective programming to
the rural tribes. Even limited assistance in fertilizer, seed,
and effective agriculture business projects would convince
tribal leaders that the GOI and U.S. were concerned about their
issues. The tribal leaders could then exert substantial
pressure on their young men and deprive JAM of its support.
With regard to the nationalist Sadrists, notwithstanding the
bluster of their public statements, the Governor expressed the
belief that they were capable of flexibility.

Meeting Sadrists
--------------


4. (S) When Team Leader asked whether it made sense for the
USG/the PRT to meet with Sadrists in Najaf and whether they
would be willing to meet, the Governor responded by offering to
approach former Sadrist Tourism Minister Dr. (dentistry) and
current OMS Najaf political head Luwa' Smasim who he clearly
knows through long-standing Najaf family connections and see
whether he would be willing (and whether it would be safe for
him) to meet Team Leader. Comment: The Governor clearly
believes that there is considerable potential for intra-Sadrist
violence over the future direction of JAM. We believe Governor
Asad will follow up, when he feels the time is right. End
Comment.

SIMMONS