MAYSAN'S GOVERNOR PLEDGES SECURITY COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001432 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2019 TAGS: PGOV PTER PINR KDEM IR IZ SUBJECT: MAYSAN'S GOVERNOR PLEDGES SECURITY COOPERATION Classified By: Acting Political Chief John Fox for reasons for 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a Maysan PRT reporting cable. ¶2. (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Meeting on May 27 with Colonel Newell, incoming Commander of the PRT's new partner Brigade Combat Team (BCT),Maysan Governor Mohammed Shi'a (Da'wa) expressed confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces' (ISF) ability to secure the province, but said he remained concerned about illicit arms trafficking across Maysan's porous border with Iran. He requested additional USG assistance to assist border authorities. Governor Mohammed also expressed interest in establishing a Provincial Joint Coordination Center (PJCC) in Amarah to facilitate ISF and Coalition Forces (CF) security cooperation. Col. Newell asked the Governor to help remove any confusion that may arise regarding the continuing presence of U.S. troops after the June 30 deadline for withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraqi cities and towns. The Governor credited CF for helping make security gains possible in the province, and pledged his continuing cooperation with the USG to promote stability and reconstruction in Maysan. End Summary. A Governor Firmly in Charge -------------- ¶3. (C/REL MCFI) On May 27, the PRT accompanied incoming 4th BCT/1st Armored Division (4/1 AD) Commander Colonel Newell and 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment (4-6) Commander Lieutenant Colonel Menist to meet Da'wa Governor Mohammed Shi'a at the Government Center in Amarah. Governor Shi'a welcomed the commanders and thanked them for CF support to restore security in Maysan. Stating that "our mission is a joint mission," Governor Mohammed said his administration is focused on security, and emphasized the important link between provincial security and the government's ability to attract desperately-needed foreign investment. He also expressed interest in establishing a Provincial Joint Coordination Center (PJCC) in Amarah to facilitate security cooperation between the ISF and CF. Ongoing Concerns about Arms Smuggling -------------- ¶4. (C/REL MCFI) Governor Mohammed expressed confidence that the ISF has progressed to the point that it has the security situation in the province largely under control, and that U.S. patrols inside the city were no longer necessary, particularly in populated areas at night. However, referring to unspecified intelligence, Governor Mohammed identified arms smuggling across Maysan's porous border with Iran as his number-one security concern. He added that he believed most big caches of arms have already crossed over into the province. He told Col. Newell that he believes current assets of the Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) in Maysan to be inadequate to meet current requirements, and requested CF assistance to augment DBE units. Col. Newell said he would explore additional support, including possibly embedding more U.S. teams with the DBE. Col. Newell also told the Governor that his BCT is planning to put more senior officers inside the IP training academy and initiate intelligence training programs. How to Mitigate Confusion about U.S. Presence after 30 June -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C/REL MCFI) Col. Newell asked the Governor to actively help dispel any confusion that may arise regarding the continuing presence of U.S. troops after the 30 June deadline for withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraqi cities and towns. He explained that, in addition to security oversight in the province and providing training assistance to the ISF, Qin the province and providing training assistance to the ISF, supporting the PRT is another primary BCT mission, and troops would be present for this purpose. Governor Mohammed was in full agreement about the necessity of continuing cooperation with CF and the PRT and said he fully sanctioned those missions. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C/REL MCFI) After years of unpredictable, often prickly, engagements with Maysan's Sadrist leaders, it is refreshing to have an Iraqi partner in Governor Mohammed Shi'a, who is confident in his role and unabashed in his support for U.S.-Iraqi cooperation. Col Newell's visit was an important relationship-building exercise between CF and the Maysani government. Deep and abiding security cooperation, of the type discussed by Col. Newell and Governor Mohammed this week, will enable the ISF to build on the progress this province has made since June of last year. The PRT's relationship with Governor Mohammed continues to improve BAGHDAD 00001432 002 OF 002 through the many meetings we have had with him thus far. Additionally, most of the PRT's contacts attest to the new Governor's popularity. Although clearly concerned by massive shortfalls in the 2009 provincial capital budget -- shortfalls exacerbated by the actions of the Governor's spendthrift predecessors -- Mohammed Shi'a appears comfortable with his duties and confident with his responsibility. End Comment. HILL