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
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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

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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