Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2417
2009-09-08 15:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

CODEL LEVIN PROBES SECURITY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS PTER MCAP PGOV INRPAZ EPET 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002417 

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PTER MCAP PGOV INRPAZ EPET
EIND, SY, IR, IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL LEVIN PROBES SECURITY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ

REF: BAGHDAD 2388

Classified By: Political Military Minister Counselor Cameron Munter for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002417

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DEPT FOR D, P, NEA/I/PM
OSD FOR USDP FLOURNOY
NSC FOR MPHEE, PVROOMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PTER MCAP PGOV INRPAZ EPET
EIND, SY, IR, IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL LEVIN PROBES SECURITY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ

REF: BAGHDAD 2388

Classified By: Political Military Minister Counselor Cameron Munter for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: As part of their September 3-4 visit to Iraq,
Senators Levin, Reed, and Kaufman engaged Interior Minister
Jawad Bolani and Defense Minister Abd al-Qadr al-Mufriji on
Iraq's current security environment, conveying Washington's
interest in Iraq's stability. In separate meetings, the two
Ministers noted that recent terrorist attacks had a greater
impact on civilians, and they blamed foreign-based groups for
providing training, weapons, and funds to local extremists.
MOI Bolani said the GOI had arrested AQI-affiliated
terrorists in connection with the August 19 bombings. Both
Ministers expressed confidence that the national elections in
January 2010 would be a success. Regarding Iraq's military
needs, the Defense Minister voiced concern over tactical air
defense, equipment, and intelligence capabilities. END
SUMMARY.

Fewer Terrorist Attacks with Greater Impact
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2. (C) Interior Minister Bolani greeted CODEL Levin warmly
and thanked the American people for their sacrifice and help,
particularly USG support to the police apparatus of Iraq. In
response to Senator Levin's questions on the security
situation in Iraq and the August 19 bombing, Minister Bolani
reflected on two major milestones: "We averted a civil war
nearly caused by sectarian violence," he said. Second, he
said U.S. and Iraqi forces have worked together to end an
insurgency. Addressing the "criminal activity" of August 19,
he noted that more stable states also face exposure to

terrorist acts, citing the August 28 attack on Saudi Arabia's
Deputy Defense Minister. Minister Bolani said that
terrorists in Iraq seemed recently capable of scoring
"qualitatively" stronger hits, though the number of incidents
had declined, because they have improved their tactics and
can better reach targets. In a separate meeting, the Defense
Minister lamented, "Particularly over the last four years, we
have seen an increase in operations that target civilians."
Bolani shared that MOI had been collecting evidence and
pursuing individuals in connection with the August 19
bombings and had arrested AQI-affiliated individuals,
including seven principals (reftel).

GOI Hopeful for 2010 Elections
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3. (C) Both Ministers Mufriji and Bolani acknowledged that
the GOI would face security challenges in the lead-up to the
January 2010 parliamentary elections. However, they
expressed confidence that the government would facilitate
functional elections, based on increased ISF capabilities and
an elections security plan similar to that which was used in
Iraq's successful January 2008 provincial elections. Bolani
argued that it was necessary for Iraq to "complete a law on
elections because the Election Commission needs time to
prepare itself."


4. (C) Looking forward, the Interior Minister said that
there are four tracks along which the GOI can organize
efforts to defeat terrorists: political, economic, social,
and security. The "Awakening Councils" are an example, he
said, of success in the social track. On the political
Qsaid, of success in the social track. On the political
track, he said that Iraqis need to recognize that retaliation
would only lead to more bloodshed, and that reconciliation
was important. Minister Bolani asserted that institutional
development -- political, military, and social -- in Iraq had
been impressive since 2003. In particular, he claimed that
the national justice system had made great strides in
anti-corruption through effective purges and in preventing
sectarianism by recruiting from diverse groups in Iraq.
Minister Bolani also argued that the MOI had professionalized
significantly, citing additional courses the MOI is offering
on human rights, and, in the presence of MNSTC-I Commanding
General Helmick, he highlighted the strong support MOI had
received from MNSTC-I.

CODEL to MOD: What are Your Needs?

BAGHDAD 00002417 002 OF 002


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


5. (C) Defense Ministry officials are working closely with
MNSTC-I to identify needs, and the process "makes me
optimistic about the possibilities," said Minister Mufriji.
In response, Levin reminded the Minister that he and his
colleagues would be making decisions about military equipment
that will remain in Iraq and that which the U.S. would send
to Afghanistan. Levin stressed that a timely submission of a
list of prioritized needs would be critical. "It will be
ready in days," the Minister promised. Allocations of funds
for the air, navy, and armed forces remain a challenge, as
civilian infrastructure is the GOI's first priority,
according to the Defense Minister. Oil, he said, could
provide the income our country needs to fund its military.


6. (C) In response to Levin's question on what kind of
support Iraq would need before U.S. Forces depart in 2011,
the Defense Minister estimated that by 2011 Iraq would have
its own navy capable of protecting Iraq's shoreline. He
hoped the air force would turn into a real tactical air
defense one day, but said this was unlikely by 2011 at the
current pace. Training and equipment for the Iraqi air force
would be critical, the Minister stressed, adding, "we rely
completely on the U.S." Also, the Minister noted that Iraq
had serious equipment deficiencies, reminding his guests that
Iraq was cut off from technological developments from
1991-2003. Finally, Minister Mufriji said that Iraq will
still need military intelligence support after 2011.


7. (C) Minister Mufriji told CODEL Levin that Iraqi forces
operated daily in coordination with U.S. forces throughout
Iraq. The operations are even more successful than before
June 30, he noted, citing a major joint capture of an AQI
financier in Mosul. He hoped that a trilateral initiative
among U.S., Iraqi and KRG forces would be underway in the
near future, increasing security in the disputed areas in
advance of the 2010 elections.

"Deadly Politics" with Syria and Iran
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8. (C) The Defense and Interior Ministers singled out Iran
and Syria for their roles in creating instability in Iraq.
Bolani noted that "external intervention from neighboring
countries is clear," as sources of instability and support
for terrorism. He added that Ba'athists from the defunct
regime would like to see Iraq fail in its political
development. After similar points from the Defense Minister,
Senator Levin asked, "Why then, did Syrian and Iranian
leaders receive heroes' welcomes when they traveled to Iraq?"
"It's politics," the Minister responded. "Sounds like
deadly politics to me," Senator Levin replied.


9. (U) CODEL Levin was unable to clear on this cable before
their departure.
FORD