SETTING THE CONDITIONS - MARCH 7TH ELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000368 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 TAGS: IZ KDEM PGOV PREL PTER ASEC SUBJECT: SETTING THE CONDITIONS - MARCH 7TH ELECTION SECURITY PLANNING REF: BAGHDAD 00260 Classified By: Pol-Mil Minister Counselor C. Munter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: USG, GOI, and international election security planning continues since the January 23rd release of the GOI,s election security plan. The Ambassador hosted a well attended and received election briefing for the Baghdad diplomatic community on February 4th that focused heavily on security aspects. Several days later, the morning portion of the USF-I Commanders Conference addressed election security planning. Embassy Baghdad had multiple participants in attendance. Combined Mission briefing teams commenced regional elections training, to include security-related instruction, for Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) throughout the country. Finally, the detailed 2010 U.S. Election Observer Plan was issued on February 7th. END SUMMARY. -------------- DIPLOMATIC CORPS BRIEFING -------------- ¶2. (U) On February 4, the Ambassador hosted the Baghdad Diplomatic Corps at a very well attended and received briefing on Iraqi election security planning and the Embassy-led elections monitoring effort. Following the opening remarks, LTG Ayden Khaled Kader, Chairman of the Electoral Supreme Security Committee (ESSC) and Deputy Minister of Interior spoke of ongoing election security planning. For many in attendance this was the first opportunity to directly hear of the GOI preparations for the critical March 7th parliamentary elections. ¶3. (U) LTG Ayden explained that the two main objectives of the ESSC were to create a situation that encouraged citizens to vote and then foster a secure environment in which to do so. He stressed that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) were given strict instructions to ensure neutrality and to prevent actions which would influence the voting process. For example, the Iraqi Army (IA) is prohibited from entering the inner ring around polling centers. ¶4. (U) The Deputy Minister pointed out that election security planning was &totally an Iraqi operation; totally executed by Iraqi forces. No one is going to see USF-I forces, but they are to be involved.8 He elaborated that the role of the U.S. military would be defined by the Security Agreement (SA) and thus primarily characterized as consisting of advice, logistical support, and providing �00A;medical services. He also noted that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was directly coordinating with the ESSC. He highlighted that a special commission was established within the ESSC to consider how best to protect international election monitors. ¶5. (U) One area of concern that LTG Ayden focused on was the matter of Disputed Internal Borders (DIB). He said that the GOI is counting on U.S. help and is planning for operational commanders to deploy mixed security forces consisting of elements of the Iraqi Police (IP),IA, Peshmerga, and the U.S. military. He opined that the DIBs are more of a political than a security issue. ¶6. (U) Though the GOI continues to face challenges and threats at least as great as those faced in the January 2010 provincial elections, LTG Ayden claimed that the national poll should be much easier, because of the increasing degree of Iraqi oversight and control over the conduct of the elections, the greater experience of the GOI, and due to the significant increase in forces available (e.g., 550K for the Qsignificant increase in forces available (e.g., 550K for the MOI alone). Finally, he informed the group that morale was high. ¶7. (U) MG James Hunt, Deputy Commanding General USF-I - Operations, and Political Minister-Counselor Gary Grappo, spoke of military and Embassy planning efforts (see paragraphs below). ¶8. (C) COMMENT: The members of the diplomatic corps in attendance were very interested in election security planning and appeared to be very appreciative of the opportunity to further the collective understanding of the state of preparations. LTG Ayden provided a detailed and professional presentation of GOI efforts to set the conditions for a successful conduct of elections. -------------- USF-I ELECTIONS SECURITY PLANNING -------------- ¶9. (C) USF-I elections security planning was featured prominently at the February 4th diplomatic corps elections briefing and at the February 6th USF-I Commanders Conference. MG Hunt told diplomatic representatives that though the U.S. is deeply involved with the ISF in elections security planning, the nature of the relationship is one of partnered security,, with the ISF in the lead. USF-I aims to provide multi-functional quick reaction forces (QRF) in support of the ISF as necessary. Examples of such support include: a. route clearance teams & explosive ordinance disposal b. medical support c. aviation coverage d. ground security forces e. security and transportation to selected international observers f. security and presence patrols outside of polling site security areas g. enabling and assistance to the ISF,s execution of its mission h. partnering with the ISF at certain provincial security headquarters ¶10. (C) With regard to support for election observer teams, USF-I will provide QRF (security, medevac, personnel recovery),transportation/escort, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, and logistical support. At the February 6th conference, Commanding General Ray Odierno informed the assembled audience that he felt elections security planning was in &good shape.8 -------------- EMBASSY BAGHDAD ) MULTIPLE EFFORTS -------------- ¶11. (U) On February 7th, Embassy Baghdad,s 2010 U.S. Election Observer Plan was released. This key document will further inform USF-I elections security planning and makes provisions for the participation of observers from the Association of Former U.S. Congress Members, poll watchers from international diplomatic missions, and possible involvement by the National Federation of Women Legislators. Embassy Baghdad and USF-I are coordinating with IHEC, UNAMI, and the ESSC regarding logistical and emergency support requirements of non-U.S. sponsored election observer teams (e.g., UNAMI). 12 (U) Mission officers from the Political Section, OPA, and USAID commenced combined regional 2010 Election Briefings at Camp Speicher, the Embassy, and Tallil to orient PRT members in advance of the election. The primary focus of this &Road Show8 is the PRT,s role in election-related political reporting and elections programming and assistance. However, practical considerations, to include those with security dimensions, were addressed as well. HILL HILL