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.

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DIPLOMATIC CORPS BRIEFING
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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
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.

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USF-I ELECTIONS SECURITY PLANNING
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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

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EMBASSY BAGHDAD ) MULTIPLE EFFORTS
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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.

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