Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD2564
2009-09-24 08:26:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SYRIA OF MILITARY ACTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO3486 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHGB #2564 2670826 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 240826Z SEP 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4818 INFO RUEHC/OPEC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002564
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SYRIA OF MILITARY ACTIONS
TARGETING IRAQ
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002564
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SYRIA OF MILITARY ACTIONS
TARGETING IRAQ
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (S) In a September 22 meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki told the Ambassador that the GOI intelligence
services had uncovered a plot to detonate four Vehicle Bourne
Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) during this week's
festival of Eid al Fitr. According to Maliki, this is only
the latest example of Syrian attacks on Iraq. Two men have
been arrested in the plot: Nabil al Jenaybi (reportedly the
commander of a Baath military wing) and Qasim al Jenaybi.
They planned to attack the Shiite shrine of al-Adhamyah and,
according to Maliki, they provided funds to two terrorist
cells (whom Maliki referred to interchangeably as "Ba'athist"
and "al Qaeda" cells). Maliki alleged that the financing for
the operations came from the Iraqi Ba,athists in Syria.
2. (S) Maliki then renewed his call for an international
investigation into alleged Syrian ties to the car bombings of
August 19 that killed 92 Iraqis and significantly damaged
both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of
Finance. Syria fears this investigation, he said, because
they have violated international norms and will be held
responsible. "Why should they fear an investigation if they
are innocent?" he asked. Syria is using these kinds of
military operations to attempt to influence the Iraqi
elections. While Iran (septel) is focusing on political
strategies rather than military ones for the moment, he said,
he is convinced Syria takes no military actions without first
coordinating with Iran. USG attempts to improve relations
with Syria will fail, he added, because the Syrian line is
coordinated with that of Iran. Maliki then described Syria as
"behaving like a teenager, not an adult." Within Syria,
distrust of Shi,a runs so deep that even the Syrian Ba,ath
Party is split into Sunni and Shi,a wings.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2029
TAGS: PREL ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ SY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SYRIA OF MILITARY ACTIONS
TARGETING IRAQ
Classified By: Ambassador Chris Hill for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (S) In a September 22 meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki told the Ambassador that the GOI intelligence
services had uncovered a plot to detonate four Vehicle Bourne
Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) during this week's
festival of Eid al Fitr. According to Maliki, this is only
the latest example of Syrian attacks on Iraq. Two men have
been arrested in the plot: Nabil al Jenaybi (reportedly the
commander of a Baath military wing) and Qasim al Jenaybi.
They planned to attack the Shiite shrine of al-Adhamyah and,
according to Maliki, they provided funds to two terrorist
cells (whom Maliki referred to interchangeably as "Ba'athist"
and "al Qaeda" cells). Maliki alleged that the financing for
the operations came from the Iraqi Ba,athists in Syria.
2. (S) Maliki then renewed his call for an international
investigation into alleged Syrian ties to the car bombings of
August 19 that killed 92 Iraqis and significantly damaged
both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of
Finance. Syria fears this investigation, he said, because
they have violated international norms and will be held
responsible. "Why should they fear an investigation if they
are innocent?" he asked. Syria is using these kinds of
military operations to attempt to influence the Iraqi
elections. While Iran (septel) is focusing on political
strategies rather than military ones for the moment, he said,
he is convinced Syria takes no military actions without first
coordinating with Iran. USG attempts to improve relations
with Syria will fail, he added, because the Syrian line is
coordinated with that of Iran. Maliki then described Syria as
"behaving like a teenager, not an adult." Within Syria,
distrust of Shi,a runs so deep that even the Syrian Ba,ath
Party is split into Sunni and Shi,a wings.
HILL