RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SECURITY

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002981 SIPDIS FOR PM, NEA/I-PM, AND NEA/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SECURITY DIALOGUES REF: STATE 112900 ¶1. The answers below are keyed to the questions contained in reftel. ¶2. Does the United States currently have an established security dialogue with Iraq? (Please report on all established or ad hoc dialogues of a pol-mil nature, regardless of the terminology by which they are described (including: strategic dialogues, security dialogues, pol-mil working groups, security consultative mechanisms, or any variation or combination of these terms). Furthermore, for the sake of completeness, please detail any mechanisms or dialogues that are purely military-to-military in nature, to include military consultative discussions, scheduled high-level defense engagements, and so forth.) Yes. Continuous (from weekly to semiannually) and at levels from the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Joint Force Chief of Staff on down. Under the U.S. ) Iraq Security Agreement, we participate in the Joint Military Operations Coordinating Committee (JMOCC) which contains the following four Joint Subcommittees: meeting frequency International Zone Security Transition as needed (was weekly until recently) Military Operations, Training and Logistics Support as needed Vehicles, Vessels & Aircraft Movement as needed (working groups meet frequently) Provincial Stability Assessment monthly We also participate under the SA in the Joint Committee (JC) made up of the following eight JSCs: Agreed Facilities and Areas semiannually (working groups meet more frequently) Entry & Exit semiannually (working groups meet more frequently) Imports, Exports, Mail semiannually (working groups meet more frequently) Jurisdiction ad hoc Claims quarterly (working groups meet frequently) Surveillance & Airspace Control quarterly Frequency Management monthly Detainee Affairs bimonthly ¶3. When was the dialogue or mechanism first established? 2003 for some dialogues. 1 Jan 2009 for the U.S. ) Iraq Security Agreement. ¶4. By what means was it established? Some requested by USG, others by GOI. The JSCs listed in Paragraph 2 above were established upon entry-into-effect of the U.S. ) Iraq Security Agreement. ¶5. Is the frequency of such meetings controlled through a binding agreement, or is this dialogue regulated by an informal understanding? Informal understanding, but codified in the U.S. - Iraq Security Agreement. ¶6. When did the group last meet? JC: 11 June 2009. JMOCC: 16 July 2009. JSC working groups meet continuously, some weekly. ¶7. Does the USG or host government have a set schedule or any general expectations regarding the frequency of this exchange? Yes, expectations are clear and mutual. ¶8. When is the next scheduled meeting? Continuous. ¶9. Does the USG or host government hold any expectations as to the level of leadership hosting the exchange? Yes. Leadership level firmly established for the JC, JMOCC, and for each JSC. The JC is at the level of the Ambassador, the Commanding General MNF-I, and the Minister of Interior. The JMOCC is at the level of the Minister-Counselor for Political-Military Affairs, the Commanding General MNF-I, and the Minister of Defense. Ten of the JSCs are at the general-officer level, and two are at the colonel (FS-1) level. ¶10. PM would also be interested in post's brief, honest assessment regarding the overall utility of the dialogue. These dialogues are essential if we are to advance along the path of helping Iraq become a sovereign, stable and self-reliant nation on its way to becoming a strategic partner of the U.S. ¶11. Are new issues frequently broached, or has the dialogue devolved into a stagnant exchange of PowerPoint slides? New issues are brought to table daily. Situation remains dynamic ¶12. POC: Pol-Mil/Plans ) Chris O,Connor, IVG: 724-2854. HILL