Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BAGHDAD159
2010-01-22 12:18:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MFA SHARES INFORMATION ON ABU MAHDI AL-MUHANDIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0013 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGB #0159 0221218 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 221218Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0956 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6227 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000159
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 01/20/2035
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PINR PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: MFA SHARES INFORMATION ON ABU MAHDI AL-MUHANDIS
REF: A. 2009 BAGHDAD 1775
B. 2009 STATE 66565
Classified By: Econ Counselor John Carwile for Reasons 1.4 B and D.
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000159
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 01/20/2035
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PINR PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: MFA SHARES INFORMATION ON ABU MAHDI AL-MUHANDIS
REF: A. 2009 BAGHDAD 1775
B. 2009 STATE 66565
Classified By: Econ Counselor John Carwile for Reasons 1.4 B and D.
1. (S) In response to reftels, MFA Coordinator of Support
and Deputy Director of International Organizations
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Humaimidi (please protect) on January
20 gave EmbOffs
further information he gathered from the GOI interagency
process about suspected terrorist Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
He said that the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency was
barred from disclosing any information about him because he
is a member of Parliament and is therefore granted
immunity. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) reportedly told MFA
that Abu
Mahdi Al-Muhandis was a member of the Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary
Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF),entered Iraq after 2003,
and
then went back to Iran, where he currently resides.
Al-Humaimidi said the MOI considered Al-Muhandis an
"outlaw" because he is a member of the Shi,a militant group
Asaib Al-Haq that abducted British advisor to the Ministry
of Finance Peter Moore and killed his security team.
2. (S) COMMENT: The information provided about Muhandis is
widely known in USG circles. Muhandis remains a threat to
USG goals and objectives in Iraq given his continued ties
to the IRGC-QF. There are indications that Muhandis may be
maneuvering to return to political life in Iraq in
anticipation of the upcoming elections. Post will continue
to monitor this development.
3. (S) COMMENT CONTINUED: Although the information
Al-Humaimidi provided was not new to the USG, it is
possible that the MFA had not received it before Al-Humaimidi
acted on our request. Al-Humaimidi's
cooperation and follow-through are laudable. He served
approximately eight years at the Iraqi Mission to the United
Nations and is very familiar with how the 1267 Committee
works. He claims to be working to ensure the MFA receives
the necessary information from the GOI line ministries, so
MFA can
inform the Iraqi Mission to the United Nations how act on
sanction and designation issues.
HILL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 01/20/2035
TAGS: KTFN EFIN PINR PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: MFA SHARES INFORMATION ON ABU MAHDI AL-MUHANDIS
REF: A. 2009 BAGHDAD 1775
B. 2009 STATE 66565
Classified By: Econ Counselor John Carwile for Reasons 1.4 B and D.
1. (S) In response to reftels, MFA Coordinator of Support
and Deputy Director of International Organizations
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Humaimidi (please protect) on January
20 gave EmbOffs
further information he gathered from the GOI interagency
process about suspected terrorist Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
He said that the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency was
barred from disclosing any information about him because he
is a member of Parliament and is therefore granted
immunity. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) reportedly told MFA
that Abu
Mahdi Al-Muhandis was a member of the Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary
Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF),entered Iraq after 2003,
and
then went back to Iran, where he currently resides.
Al-Humaimidi said the MOI considered Al-Muhandis an
"outlaw" because he is a member of the Shi,a militant group
Asaib Al-Haq that abducted British advisor to the Ministry
of Finance Peter Moore and killed his security team.
2. (S) COMMENT: The information provided about Muhandis is
widely known in USG circles. Muhandis remains a threat to
USG goals and objectives in Iraq given his continued ties
to the IRGC-QF. There are indications that Muhandis may be
maneuvering to return to political life in Iraq in
anticipation of the upcoming elections. Post will continue
to monitor this development.
3. (S) COMMENT CONTINUED: Although the information
Al-Humaimidi provided was not new to the USG, it is
possible that the MFA had not received it before Al-Humaimidi
acted on our request. Al-Humaimidi's
cooperation and follow-through are laudable. He served
approximately eight years at the Iraqi Mission to the United
Nations and is very familiar with how the 1267 Committee
works. He claims to be working to ensure the MFA receives
the necessary information from the GOI line ministries, so
MFA can
inform the Iraqi Mission to the United Nations how act on
sanction and designation issues.
HILL