VIEW FROM NAJAF: GOVERNOR ZURFI PROVIDES UPDATE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003375

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2019
TAGS: EINV PTER PGOV ECON IZ
SUBJECT: VIEW FROM NAJAF: GOVERNOR ZURFI PROVIDES UPDATE ON
SECURITY AND INVESTMENT

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Classified By: PRT Najaf Team Leader Angus Simmons


1. (C/NF) Summary. On December 10, provincial governor Adnan
Zurfi welcomed Multi-National Division-South (MND-S) Major
General Nash to Najaf. Governor Zurfi announced the arrests
of suspects related to recent attacks on a PRT mission and
IED detonations near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Endeavor.
Given the generally permissive environment, Zurfi announced
the launching of 27 major commercial developments valued at
over USD one billion in Najaf. In more good news for Najaf,
the governor also told Nash the province would be represented
in bidding for oil parcels in December. End Summary.

Progress on arresting suspects in recent attacks


2. (C/NF) At the December 10 meeting with General Nash, Najaf
Governor Zurfi explained that four Jaysh al Mahdi (JAM)
members possessing US-made sniper rifles and pistols had been
arrested recently in connection with to the November 2 sniper
attack on a PRT mission near the Najaf Chamber of Commerce.
Two other JAM members confessed to the November 9 and 10 IED
attacks targeting US forces which killed three Iraqi
civilians near FOB Endeavor, home to the Najaf PRT.


3. (C/NF) Continuing on security, Zurfi said he had met the
Iranian Counselor in his office. He asked the Iranian
diplomat to discontinue any operations against US forces in
Najaf. Zurfi claimed he said that if Iran did not respect
his wishes, he would prevent the opening of a new Iranian
consulate in Najaf and would arrest all Iranian operatives in
Najaf. He said that any action against US or Iraqi forces
was a &red-line8. He also claimed he had learned the
suspects were paid USD 10,000 to conduct the IED attacks
against US forces last month. Zurfi said he told the Iranian
that the Iraqis &can afford to stage attacks against Iran if
(Iran) wants to escalate this matter.8 Zurfi opined that
this was the kind of straight talk that the Iranians need to
hear. Zurfi went on to say that on December 9, the Iraqi
Police had captured two additional IEDs from pro-Iranian
forces and local officials paid two million Iraqi dinars for
their reward.

Tourism and General Economy continue to grow


4. (C/NF) Zurfi said that Iranian airlines will soon increase
air service to two flights per day into Najaf International
Airport (NIA). He said that NIA business is picking up, but
not enough to retain the current airport manager. He hoped
to have an announcement on a new manager in the next 60 days.
Zurfi explained that he has asked the Ministry of Finance
for a capital infusion of USD 30 million to allow for the
necessary growth including a new taxiway and additional apron
parking among other improvements. (COMMENT. The expanded
apron is essential to increase airport use, and with the
taxiway, represents an approximately USD 13 to 15 million
expenditure. END COMMENT.) In addition to closely following
developments at the airport, Zurfi indicated that his office
is coordinating on 27 new major commercial developments
valued at over USD one billion in Najaf. Further, Najaf will
be among the parcels out for bid in the current round of
bidding for oil rights scheduled to be offered on December

11. Najaf is thought to have large, undeveloped oil reserves
to the north and to the northeast of the city.

STILL ADVOCATING FOR REMOVAL OF POLICE CHIEF


5. (C/NF) When asked about the relationship with the local
Iraqi police chief, MS Kareem,, Zurfi explained to Major
General Nash that Kareem,s rank is frozen at its current
level and that Zurfi has pulled the intel function from the
police into his own office. He claimed that Kareem was part
Qpolice into his own office. He claimed that Kareem was part
of the Badr organization, and that he would ultimately like
to replace him.

REACHING OUT TO THE PRT


6. (C/NF) Zurfi asked the PRT to focus its efforts and
development assistance on health care. Equipment for heart,
cancer and eye hospitals and treatment centers is in
particular demand. Zurfi also expressed the need to develop
English learning centers in Najaf, signaled an interest in a
program for the Women,s Teaching College in Najaf, and was
keen to enhance English language libraries at each facility
in Najaf that teaches English.

The Road to Elections in Najaf


7. (C/NF) Zurfi explained that he was not very concerned
about Najaf,s preparations for elections. He said he
thought the process would follow along the same lines as the
provincial elections in January 2009. In reflecting on recent
suicide bombings in Baghdad, the governor expressed concerns

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about Baathists coming south to inflict similar damage in
Najaf. When asked about possibility of candidate
assassinations, Zurfi confirmed this as a possibility, saying
the Baathists wanted to be atop, rather than part of, Iraq,s
political process. He thought Iran,s influence in the
election would be minimal.

COMMENT: GOVERNOR CONTINUES TO CAPITALIZE ON STRENGTHS


8. (C/NF) Governor Zurfi continues to capitalize on his
strengths, relying on his background in security. To his
credit, he leads on the platform of security and rule of law.
Zurfi is leaning forward looking to replace USG funded
reconstruction with private sector growth. Lately we have
seen a large number of Chevy sedans on the Najaf roads as
taxis. They are manufactured in Malaysia and imported by a

S. Korean-Iraqi venture which makes financing available to
Najaf taxi drivers over five years. Zurfi reiterated his
interest in seeing the US establish a consulate in Najaf,
which he said was supported by the Najaf populous. The
province is beginning to see related benefits with increased
tourism, growth in travel in and out of NIA, and with
increased and diversified private sector investment.
FORD