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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05HILLAH366 |
KARBALA UIA/555 CANDIDATE CONFIDENT OF STRONG PERFORMANCE IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: The number two candidate on the United Iraqi Alliance list (UIA, ballot number 555) in Karbala, Mouther Hussein Hassan Al-Hakim, expressed optimism over his coalition's chances in the December 15 national election, stating, "My list is in a good position." Al-Hakim, an independe [...] |
2005-12-12 19:44:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH367 |
DIWANIYAH IECI HEAD PREPARED FOR FRAUD ACCUSATIONS [...] (C) Summary: Diwaniyah Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq Head Saad Madhloom told REO Al-Hillah staff in a December 7 meeting that he was staffing provincial polling sites to prepare for allegations of fraud from partisans of Iyad Allawi's National Iraqi List (ballot number 731.) Madhloom [...] |
2005-12-12 19:48:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ PDEM |
| 05HILLAH371 |
BABIL ELECTION SECURITY TIGHTER THAN A CHAMPAIGN CORK [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a recent pre-election security meeting hosted by REO Al-Hillah and attended by the local Coalition Forces commander, Iraqi officials and a United Nations election observer put the finishing touches on a three ringed security plan for Babil Province. The Babil representative f [...] |
2005-12-13 19:18:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 05HILLAH373 |
WASIT UIA/555 SLATE LEADER CONFIDENT IN CAMPAIGN'S FINAL [...] (C) SUMMARY. Deputy Governor and leader of the United Iraqi Alliance (Ballot Number 555) list in Wasit, Mohammed Al-Khateeb (Shi'a Islamist independent) is confident that a strong performance in the December 15 national election will lay the groundwork for continued Shi'a Islamist dominance of [...] |
2005-12-14 15:09:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH374 |
NAJAF INA EXPECTS WIDESPREAD ELECTION DAY VIOLENCE [...] (U) This is a SET NAJAF cable. 2. (C) Summary: The Najaf head of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Accord party (INA) told SET Najaf December 9 that he expected widespread election day violence directed at INA supporters and facilities by supporters of the United Iraqi Alli [...] |
2005-12-14 18:54:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 05HILLAH375 |
549/ISLAMIC COALITION CANDIDATE PREDICTS "HARD COMPETITION" [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The number two candidate in Karbala on the Islamic Coalition list (ballot number 549), Ibrahim Ali Abbas Al-Mutayri, predicted that the electoral contest for Karbala's six seats in the new National Assembly would feature "hard competition" between the Islamic Coalition and the [...] |
2005-12-14 19:14:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH377 |
AMBASSADOR, SENATORS PRAISE IRAQI VOTERS, ELECTION PROCESS [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and U.S. Senators Joseph Biden, Lindsay Graham, Saxby Chambliss and Maria Cantwell praised the Iraqi people for their participation in the national election before a group of Western and Iraqi reporters outside a downtown Al-Hillah polling station Decemb [...] |
2005-12-16 11:44:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO IZ |
| 05HILLAH378 |
MOOD SERENE, SECURITY EXTENSIVE AT DOWNTOWN AL-HILLAH [...] Summary: Family trips to polling places, patriotic music and mosque exhortations characterized the activity around one downtown Al-Hillah, Babil Province polling station on December 15. Male and female screeners courteously searched voters as they moved smoothly through the entrance. Policemen [...] |
2005-12-16 19:29:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 05HILLAH380 |
SISTANI, SADR OFFER APPROVAL OF ELECTION PROCESS IN MEETINGS [...] (C) Summary: In separate meetings December 17 with Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani and Moqtada Sadr each expressed his approval of the December 15 election process. In meetings in Najaf, Sistani reportedly stressed to Jaafari the importance of quickly releasing th [...] |
2005-12-18 17:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH382 |
MOSQUE SERMONS DIFFER ON OIL PRICE HIKE [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-24 13:13:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL EPET EFIN EAID IZ |
| 05HILLAH383 |
WASIT: THE VIEW FROM THE WINNER'S SEAT [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-28 17:37:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 05HILLAH384 |
SISTANI-AFFILIATED CLERIC ASSASSINATED IN NAJAF; IRAQI [...] (C) Summary: Unidentified gunmen assassinated Sayyid Fattah Al-Thabhawi, a mid-level Shi'a cleric affiliated with Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, on December 26. The cleric, who also was aligned with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), was shot outside his home in th [...] |
2005-12-28 18:05:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH385 |
SADRIST SHAYKH, RELEASED FROM JAIL, TELLS OF ALLEGED PRISON [...] (C) Summary: In a private meeting in Najaf on December 27, a high-ranking Sadrist shaykh recently released from prison told Moqtada Al-Sadr that while in prison, he was tortured and the Koran was defiled, Sadrist sources reported to SET Najaf local staff. The shaykh also expressed to Sadr his d [...] |
2005-12-31 14:29:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 05HILLAH386 |
NAJAF MOSQUE SERMONS CRITICIZE COALITION, SUPPORT ELECTION [...] (C) Summary: The Friday prayer speaker at the primary Sadrist mosque in Najaf blamed Coalition Forces for recent raids on a Sadrist cleric's home, accused them of desecrating the Koran and called for Ibrahim Jaafari to remain as Prime Minister. At a mosque affiliated with the Supreme Council fo [...] |
2005-12-31 14:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ KIS |
| 06HILLAH1 |
DIWANIYAH LEADERS HOPE FOR MORE LOCAL AUTONOMY FROM NEW [...] (C) Summary: Both the Diwaniyah Governor and Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Head expressed a desire for more local autonomy under the new Iraqi Government in separate meetings on December 29. Each was optimistic regarding the quick formation of a national unity gover [...] |
2006-01-02 17:00:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 06HILLAH10 |
NAJAF'S ZURFI PLEADS FOR US AID [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf Cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. On January 21, SET Najaf met with former Najaf Governor and head of the Loyalty to An Najaf party, Adnan Al Zurfi. The meeting covered a wide range of subjects. Zurfi expressed his view that the recent December 15 national election, while n [...] |
2006-01-25 19:07:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH100 |
MADHI MILITIA ACTIVITY ON THE RISE IN BABIL PROVINCE [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (S) Throughout the second half of May and into early June, the Madhi Militia (MM and also commonly referred to as Jaysh al Mahdi or JAM) has increased its presence in Al-Hillah and Babil, engaging in overt attacks directed agains [...] |
2006-06-11 09:50:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PTER MOPS KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH101 |
BAGHDAD THREATENS REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Baghdad-based Iraqi Media Network (IMN) and national Al-Sabah newspapers are threatening to cut subsidies to South Central regional independent newspapers, potentially forcing the closure of journals Al-Fayhaa in Babil, Al-Diwaniyah in Diwaniyah, and Al-Ilam Al-Iraqi in Karbal [...] |
2006-06-11 17:45:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PROP KISL SCUL IZ |
| 06HILLAH102 |
QADISIYAH PROVINCE: SADR, SCIRI, AND SECURITY [...] (S) SUMMARY: Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Militia (MM) and his political organization, Office of the Martyr Sadr (OMS), increasingly dictate the pace of events in Qadisiyah Province. While the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution (SCIRI) holds 20 seats out of 41 on the Provincial Council, SCIRI is [...] |
2006-06-12 16:11:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV KISL MARR PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH103 |
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED: BABIL POLICE CHIEF UNDER FIRE [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT Cable. 2. (S) SUMMARY: Babil Police Chief General Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri has yet again come under political fire from the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) affiliated Babil Provincial Governor, Salem Saleh Mehdi Al-Muslimawi. This time Qais [...] |
2006-06-12 16:19:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH104 |
RUMBLINGS IN SOUTH CENTRAL PROVINCES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Events in four South Central provinces over the last twenty-four hours indicate that although the incidence of terrorist acts remains low in this seemingly stable region, tensions are increasingly manifesting themselves in public demonstrations, ultimatums to provincial government [...] |
2006-06-14 12:20:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | KISL PGOV PTER MARR IZ |
| 06HILLAH105 |
ARREST OF KARBALA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ROILS SOUTH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Lack of public information about the arrest of Karbala Provincial Council Chairman Sheikh Akeel Fahem al-Zubaidi fueled condemnation of the raid in Friday afternoon sermons throughout the South Central region. Sadrist clerics were the most vehement in condemning the ISF/CF raid. [...] |
2006-06-16 17:52:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH106 |
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED: PART II [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT Cable. 2. (S) SUMMARY: During a series of recent meetings Babil Province Governor Salem Saleh Mehdi Al-Muslimawi and members of the Provincial Council (PC) related to REO and PRT staff that the security situation in the province is deteriorating as evidenced by the v [...] |
2006-06-17 05:34:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH107 |
DIWANIYAH PROVINCE: MAHDI MILITIA ON THE OFFENSIVE? [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a recent visit to Diwaniyah, REO staff found that with the fulcrum of political influence in Diwaniyah swinging toward the Office of Martyr Sadr (OMS) and its associated Mahdi Militia (MM or Jaysh al-Mahdi), the Mahdi Militia are increasingly able to declare large sections [...] |
2006-06-20 04:51:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PTER PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH109 |
BABIL SCIRI BOSS ON SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND POLITICAL [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. During a recent meeting Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraqi (SCIRI) Babil party boss, and also Provincial Council (PC) member, Ali Al Qasser presented Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) staff with an insider's view of the party's [...] |
2006-06-22 13:13:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH11 |
NAJAF ELECTION RESULTS REACTION [...] (U) This is a SET NAJAF cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY. Just a day after the release of the results of the December 15 national election by the IECI, reaction in the Najaf province was diverse and pointed. Many in the province, including local government officials and members of the United Iraqi [...] |
2006-01-26 13:02:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH110 |
A CASUAL COMEDY: SOUTH CENTRAL PROVINCIAL COUNCILS THREATEN [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT Cable 2. (C) SUMMARY. During a June 23 meeting held in Najaf, representatives from all south-central provincial councils (PC), as well as from Baghdad and Kirkuk, held an "emergency" meeting concerning the arrest of Karbala Provincial Council Chair Aqeel Fahim Al-Zub [...] |
2006-06-24 11:35:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH117 |
GENERAL QAIS DISMISSED AS BABIL PROVINCE POLICE CHIEF [...] (S) SUMMARY General Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri told RC that on July 13, Minister of Interior Jayad al-Bulani signed an order removing Qais as Chief of Police in Babil Province, transferring Qais to an unspecified desk job in Baghdad. Qais said Ministry contacts told him that al-Bulani bowed [...] |
2006-07-16 18:05:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PTER MARR PGOV ASEC IZ |
| 06HILLAH118 |
RURAL IRAQI BANK SLUMBERS ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: In rural Qadisiyah Province, even bank personnel have only a hazy idea of what commercial banking might be. REO staff met with Mr. Salih Mehdi, director of the Diwaniyah branch of the Rafadeen Bank, a financial institution belonging to the Ministry of Finance. Mehdi made the f [...] |
2006-07-16 18:26:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAGR ETRD EINZ IZ |
| 06HILLAH12 |
WASIT ELECTION RESULTS REACTION: UIA/555 SAVORS CONFIRMATION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Members of the Shi'a Islamist United Iraqi Alliance/555 list savored the overwhelming victory of their slate after election results were announced on January 20. The UIA/555 won seven of the eight seats allocated to the province, with Ayad Allawi's National Iraqi List/671 picking [...] |
2006-01-26 13:02:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH121 |
QADISIYAH ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHIEF ON NEW ELECTION LAW [...] (C) SUMMARY: Diwaniyah Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) head Saad Mazloum briefed REO staff on what he sees as serious shortcomings in the draft "High Commissions for Elections" law currently under consideration in the Council of Representatives. Mazloum warned that the infighting in t [...] |
2006-07-24 04:23:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH122 |
UPDATE ON NAJAF CAR BOMBINGS [...] (C) Summary. According to local contacts, police believe that three of an original seven VBIEDs (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices) are still roaming Najaf streets. However, two suspects have been arrested for the Friday, July 6 (VBIED) which exploded between two buses carrying tou [...] |
2006-07-24 04:27:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH124 |
HOW THE SOUTH WAS WON - TALLYING UP ELECTION DAY FRAUD [...] (C) SUMMARY: For perspective on potential problems in upcoming provincial council elections, REO Staff spoke to representatives of the South Central Iraqi National Accord (INA), Communist Party, Iraqi Election Commission (IECI), and other contacts about ballot tampering and other forms of voter [...] |
2006-07-25 04:59:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PROP IZ |
| 06HILLAH125 |
BABIL GOVERNOR'S RENEWED EFFORTS TO OUST BABIL POLICE CHIEF [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph four. 2. (C) REO staff met with Babil Iraqi Police (IP) Deputy Chief Colonel Abbas Al-Gebory on July 26 to discuss the latest effort on the part of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) and Babil Governor Al-Musalamawi to oust General Qais Ham [...] |
2006-07-27 06:52:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MARR PGOV ASEC IZ |
| 06HILLAH126 |
WASIT FADILHA HEAD ON SCIRI PLANS FOR FEDERALISM [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 26, REO staff met with Sheikh Abbas Al Zaidi, a self-professed "moderate" cleric who is the interim head of all Fadilha activities in Wasit Province. Al Zaidi claimed to be speaking for Fadilha spiritual head Ayatollah Yaqoubi as he made the following points: 1) Sheikh Ya [...] |
2006-07-28 12:22:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL PGOV PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH127 |
SECURITY UPDATE SUMMARY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL IRAQ [...] (SBU) This cable covers trends and significant events that affect security in the five South Central provinces of Iraq. Items are taken from the local press or are public knowledge in the region (Najaf, Karbala, Qadisiyah, Babil, and Wasit provinces). Najaf Province ----------------- 2 [...] |
2006-07-29 09:00:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV MARR PTER KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH128 |
BABIL GOVERNOR AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN PRESS REO [...] (C) Summary: Babil Governor Al-Musalamawi called an emergency meeting with REO staff on July 27 to discuss various security issues brewing in the province. He was joined by Provincial Council Chairman (PCC) Mohammed Ali Hussein Al-Masoudi. The main point of issue raised during the meeting was [...] |
2006-07-29 15:28:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MARR PGOV ASEC IZ |
| 06HILLAH129 |
DIWANIYAH SECURITY - TURNING A CORNER? [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Diwaniyah provincial government has become more aggressive about turning around deteriorating security in the province, and preliminary results are encouraging. After a series of meetings with REO staff and personnel at Camp Echo, Governor Hamza held a public meeting in wh [...] |
2006-08-10 11:42:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL MARR PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH13 |
WASIT BADR ORG. DEPUTY ON THE SADRIST CHALLENGE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-01-26 18:22:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV MOPS KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH130 |
SISTANI MOSQUE FRIDAY SERMON STRIKES ANTI-AMERICAN TONE [...] (SBU) Approximately 3500-4000 people attended the Friday afternoon sermon given by Sheikh Sayed Ahmed Al-Safi, generally regarded as a close associate and spokesman for Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Al-Safi's speech was covered by several national television outlets. 2. (SBU) Al-Safi told his [...] |
2006-08-10 11:42:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | KISL PTER PGOV IZ |
| 06HILLAH131 |
QADISIYAH INA LEADER: BADR ORGANIZATION IS SETTING UP SADR [...] (S) SUMMARY: In a August 2 meeting with REO staff, Abd Muslim, the head of the moderate Iraqi National Accord party in southern Qadisiyah (Diwaniyah) province, warned against attributing all instability in Diwaniyah Province to the Mahdi Militia (MM). Muslim believed that local MM cells ar [...] |
2006-08-10 11:54:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | KISL PTER MARR IZ |
| 06HILLAH132 |
SOUTH-CENTRAL IRAQ FEDERAL REGION: A DONE DEAL [...] (C) Summary: On August 14 Regional Embassy Office (REO), Al-Hillah staff met with the head of Wasit Badr Corps and Provincial Council member Qasim Mohammad Jalal to discuss pressing issues of the province and region. The meeting proved to be fruitful when Jalal presented new information in re [...] |
2006-08-16 18:14:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MARR PGOV ASEC IZ |
| 06HILLAH134 |
"PUBLIC COMMITTEES" CONCEPT FOR SECURITY IN NAJAF MAY ALSO [...] (C) Summary and comment: In an effort to combat a recent rise in violence in the province, the Najaf Provincial Council has approved the formation of Public Committees intended to work as "community watch" organizations. While the province's dominant political entities generally agree that th [...] |
2006-09-10 15:26:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS IZ |
| 06HILLAH135 |
MALIKI, SISTANI MEET TO DISCUSS SECURITY, SHABANIYA AND THE [...] (C) Summary and comment: A day after relating his concerns regarding the security of Iraqis, the shortage of essential services and a "crippled" judicial system to the Prime Minister, who was paying him a call on the eve of a major religious holiday, Shi'a Islam's leading religious figure repor [...] |
2006-09-10 15:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS IZ |
| 06HILLAH136 |
HEIRS TO SHIA POWER MEET TO DISCUSS REGIONAL SECURITY AND [...] (C) Summary: Ammar Al Hakim and Mohamed Ridha Al Sistani, sons to two of Shia Islam's most important leaders, met on August 24 to discuss a wide range of issues. The two men spoke about the continuing problem of militias and how "Public Committees" might enhance security. Al Sistani voiced his [...] |
2006-09-10 15:37:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS PREL IZ |
| 06HILLAH137 |
AL SARKHI BECOMES AN APPEALING ALTERNATIVE TO AL SADR FOR [...] (C) Summary: Mahmud Al Hassani Al Sarkhi has begun challenging Muqtada Al Sadr for the allegiance of violent, disaffected young men in south-central Iraq, many of them culled from Sadr's own legions. Sarkhi's willingness to do violence and his lack of political ambition make him an ideal leader [...] |
2006-09-10 15:42:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS PREL IZ |
| 06HILLAH14 |
DEPARTURE FROM POST OF REGIONAL COORDINATOR ALFRED [...] (U) Regional Coordinator, Alfred Fonteneau departed REO Al Hillah, Iraq on January 27, at 0900. 2. (U) Deputy Regional Coordinator, Gary L. Anderson has assumed charge. ANDERSON [...] |
2006-02-02 07:07:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT IZ |
| 06HILLAH142 |
TIMELINE ACCEPTABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF COALTION FORCES, SAYS [...] (C) Summary: Muqtada Al-Sadr, in his most recent Friday sermon, demanded the release of his recently detained associates and called on coalition forces (CF) to leave Iraq. He also derided the national government as ineffective and fragile, but touted the political process as a peaceful form of [...] |
2006-09-23 12:52:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS PREL IZ |
| 06HILLAH146 |
BABIL GOVERNOR PLAYING A NEW GAME OR JUST BLUFFING? [...] (C) Summary: The governor of Babil province has shown uncharacteristic willingness to engage with the Regional Embassy Office (REO) during the month of Ramadan, chairing a lengthy meeting to discuss projects, attending the REO's iftar and meeting with REO representatives at his office. Though [...] |
2006-10-11 15:38:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PGOV IZ |
| 06HILLAH147 |
SWAT COMMANDER'S DEATH MAY JEOPARDIZE NON-PARTISAN SECURITY [...] (C) Summary and comment: The head of the Al-Hillah SWAT team was assassinated in his office on Oct. 13, days after being informed by the office of the Prime Minister (PM) that he was being replaced. Though the victim had a warrant out for his arrest on terrorism charges, a confluence of factor [...] |
2006-10-13 18:23:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINS PREL PINR PTER PHUM IZ |
| 06HILLAH148 |
NORTH BABIL SHEIKHS APPEAL FOR U.S. HELP ON SECURITY, JOBS [...] (C) Summary: A group of Sunni tribal leaders and activists from north Babil view American intervention as their best hope to address unemployment in their area, stabilize Iraq's security situation and promote expression of moderate political views. According to a subsequent communication from o [...] |
2006-10-15 17:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PGOV PTER KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH15 |
TEMPORARY DEPARTURE OF REGIONAL COORDINATOR, ALFRED [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-02 08:51:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT IZ |
| 06HILLAH154 |
UN DEVELOPS ROLE IN SHIA HEARTLAND [...] (C) Begin Summary: Supported by both the Coalition, PRT Najaf and the REO, SRSG PolAd Wilfred Buchta and an advance team traveled to Najaf City on 5 December to lay the groundwork for a visit in early 2007 of the SRSG to meet with Grand Ayatollah Sistani and Shia radical cleric Muktada Al Sa [...] |
2006-12-07 12:00:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ |
| 06HILLAH155 |
UN DEVELOPS ROLE IN SHIA HEARTLAND [...] (C) Summary: Supported by both the Coalition, PRT Najaf and the REO, SRSG PolAd Wilfred Buchta and an advance team traveled to Najaf City on 5 December to lay the groundwork for a visit in early 2007 of the SRSG to meet with Grand Ayatollah Sistani and Shia radical cleric Muqtada Al Sadr. Co [...] |
2006-12-11 07:04:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV PINR PINS PREL |
| 06HILLAH157 |
SADR RENEWS CALL FOR IRAQI UNITY, WITHDRAWAL OF FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary. December 11, Muqtada Al Sadr issued a statement outlining his issues with United States presence in Iraq. Sadr decried what he sees as the systematic destruction of Iraqi society by the twin demons of the United States and Ba'athists. He repeated his call for the withdrawal or ou [...] |
2006-12-16 11:01:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS PREL IZ |
| 06HILLAH16 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR SAYS MEHDI NEW IRAQI PM [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Najaf Governor Assad Al-Taee told SET Najaf that the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA, ballot number 555) had agreed to nominate Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Official Adel Abdul Mehdi as the new Prime Minister. Al-Taee s [...] |
2006-02-05 11:34:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH17 |
BABIL OFFICIALS TELL DAS GODEC THEY LIKE PRT AND PRDC BUT [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Robert Godec met with Babil province officials to discuss the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and the Iraqi-run Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC). T [...] |
2006-02-12 14:31:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH18 |
WASIT POLITICAL OUTSIDERS PREPARE FOR PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY. Wasit Provincial Council and local officials outside of the ruling Shi'a Islamist groupings (principally the major constituent parties of the United Iraqi Alliance) have begun preparations for provincial elections to be held on an undetermined date in 2006. A slate of secular PC an [...] |
2006-02-12 15:23:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH20 |
WASIT UIA MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES: [...] (U) SUMMARY. Wasit province was allocated eight seats in the December 15, 2005 elections to the Council of Representatives(CoR). The United Iraqi Alliance (ballot number 555) received seven of the eight seats. Biographical information follows for six of the seven UIA/555 members in the CoR. END [...] |
2006-02-15 14:14:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH21 |
ASHURA MARKED BY GOOD SECURITY, LIMITED MILITIA PRESENCE, [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The annual Shi'a commemoration of Ashura in Karbala and other parts of South Central Iraq on February 8 and 9 went smoothly. Ashura begins the forty-day period of remembrance and mourning for the deaths in 680 A.D. of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas, grandsons of the prophet Moham [...] |
2006-02-15 18:56:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV IZ |
| 06HILLAH22 |
SISTANI ADVISES SPEEDY FORMATION OF INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT IN [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Shi'a Religious Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani advised Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari to quickly form a new government and to ensure that the new government is inclusive in a February 20 meeting at Sistani's home in Najaf's Old City. Afte [...] |
2006-02-20 19:58:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH23 |
WASIT COR REP ON UIA OVERTURES TO ALLAWI [...] (C) SUMMARY. Shaykh Jamal Al-Batik, the sole Wasit National Iraqi List (ballot number 731) member in the incoming Council of Representatives, related discussions between Iyad Allawi and Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq head Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. According to Al-Batik, Hakim has [...] |
2006-02-21 18:23:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH24 |
JAFARI NOMINATION VARIOUSLY GREETED WITH PRAISE, DISBELIEF, [...] (SBU) Summary: The selection of Ibrahim Jafari as the choice of the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) to serve as Prime Minister of the new Iraqi government was greeted by widely divergent reactions across South Central Iraq. Most Shi'a Islamist contacts praised Jafari, even as some UIA constituent g [...] |
2006-02-22 13:47:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH25 |
RETURN OF REGIONAL COORDINATOR, ALFRED FONTENEAU [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-23 08:18:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT IZ |
| 06HILLAH26 |
THOUSANDS ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL PROTEST MOSQUE BOMBING; [...] (U) Summary: Iraqis across the South Central region took to the streets February 22, angrily protesting the bombing of the Al-Askariyah Mosque in Samarra. Reportedly spontaneous at first, the demonstrations were soon spurred on by mosque exhortations and organized by Shi'a government officials, [...] |
2006-02-23 16:36:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH27 |
WASIT UIA LEADER LINES UP BEHIND JA'AFARI [...] (C) SUMMARY. Mohammed Al-Khateeb, outgoing Wasit Deputy governor and future United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) representative in the Council of Representatives (CoR), predicted Prime Minister-designate Ja'afari would survive protracted coalition negotiations between the UIA and the Kurdish bloc. Al-Kh [...] |
2006-02-23 18:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL MOPS IZ |
| 06HILLAH28 |
NAJAF, KARBALA MOSQUES PREACH UNITY AND CALM; BLAME [...] (U) Summary: Friday Mosque sermons delivered amidst heavy security in Najaf and Karbala generally appealed for calm and unity, and were followed by peaceful demonstrations. Despite some Sadrist provocations, the two Shi'a holy cities were reportedly quiet, with shops and offices closed and blac [...] |
2006-02-24 17:59:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH29 |
PROTESTS, SPORADIC VIOLENCE CONTINUE ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL; [...] (SBU) Summary: Protests continued across Wasit and Babil Provinces in South Central Iraq for a second and third day after the bombing of Al-Askariyah mosque in Samarra. In Wasit, Shi'a Islamists of all affiliations joined a massive demonstration February 23. The next day, Sadrist mosque preache [...] |
2006-02-24 18:20:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH3 |
NAJAF SADRISTS SUGGEST RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING CLERIC; [...] (C) Summary: Flyers distributed from the offices of Moqtada Al-Sadr in Najaf and Kufa and from his compound in Najaf beginning on January 4 boast that a group called the "Battalions of Imam Mousa Al-Sadr" carried out the December 26 assassination of Shaykh Fattah Al-Thabhawi, a mid-level cleric [...] |
2006-01-06 17:01:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH30 |
SISTANI URGES SCIRI HEAD AL-HAKIM TO CALM SHI'A, PROTECT [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani urged Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), to calm the Shi'a, protect Sunni shrines and prevent further violence. The February 24 meeting took place at Sistani's [...] |
2006-02-25 12:04:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH31 |
CAR BOMB IN KARBALA KILLS EIGHT, CLERICS CONDEMN ACT BUT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A February 25 car bomb in Karbala killed eight and wounded 31. An impromptu protest after the incident at the site of the attack included chants of "No, no America." Religious leaders in Karbala and Najaf were quiet after the incident, with no reports of calls from the mosques [...] |
2006-02-27 17:18:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL PGOV PINS PREL PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH32 |
NAJAF COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS' BIOGRAPHICAL [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf Cable. 2. (U) Najaf Province was allocated eight seats in the recently elected Council of Representatives (CoR). The United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) won seven of the eight seats. The eighth Najaf seat went to a candidate from the Iyad Allawi-affiliated National Iraqi Lis [...] |
2006-02-28 16:24:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH33 |
SADR OFFERS MAHDI MILITIA TO SISTANI AS SHRINE PROTECTION [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Moqtada Al-Sadr, meeting with a group of senior ayatollahs in the Najaf home of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, offered his Mahdi Militia as a holy shrine protection force. Sadr also volunteered to deploy his militia to protect the senior cleri [...] |
2006-03-01 18:53:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH34 |
SOUTH CENTRAL, SOUTHERN IRAQI OFFICIALS DISCUSS SHRINE [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: Provincial Council (PC) members, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) officers and other officials from the predominantly Shi'a South Central and Southern Iraqi provinces met March 1 in Najaf to discuss the protection of holy shrines in the aftermath [...] |
2006-03-02 18:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH36 |
BARHAM SALIH TELLS SISTANI THAT KURDS OPPOSE JAFARI; SISTANI [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Minister of Planning Barham Salih told Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani in a March 5 meeting that Jalal Talabani and his Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are opposed to the nomination by the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) of Ibrahim Jafari as Prim [...] |
2006-03-05 18:19:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH37 |
MOSQUE ORATORS ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL IRAQ CALL FOR MUSLIM [...] (C) Summary: Sunni and Shi'a mosque preachers in Najaf, Babil, Wasit and Karbala called for the unity of all Muslims during Friday, March 3 prayers. A Babil Province Sadrist mosque orator blamed attempts to sow sectarian discord on the "occupiers," while a Sadrist preacher in Najaf claimed that [...] |
2006-03-05 18:25:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KISL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH38 |
WASIT SISTANI REP RESIGNED TO INCREASING SADRIST INFLUENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY. Former Transitional National Assembly member and Wasit province representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Habib Saman Al-Khateeb, expressed his frustration with the rising influence of Sadrists in his hometown of Numaniyah and across the province in a meeting with Regional Em [...] |
2006-03-05 18:35:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH39 |
MEETING OF REO AL-HILLAH EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE (EAC) [...] (C) Summary: The REO Al-Hillah EAC was convened on 1 March 2006. It was chaired by the Regional Coordinator, and in attendance were representatives from RSO, POL, PRT, USAID, KBR, and ORA. The REOs US Army LNO and the 2/4 BCT S-9 were also present, and advised on the posture of Coalition f [...] |
2006-03-06 10:50:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | ASEC AEMR AMGT IZ |
| 06HILLAH4 |
NAJAF OFFICIALS PLAN INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CONFERENCE, [...] (SBU) Summary: The Najaf Deputy Governor told REO Al-Hillah staff of his intention to hold an international investment and economic development conference in Najaf in February. In a January 4 meeting, the Deputy Governor asked for U.S. support in publicizing the conference to American officials [...] |
2006-01-06 17:03:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON EINV ECIN EAGR PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH40 |
DIWANIYAH DAWA REP CAUTIONS AGAINST JAFARI'S REMOVAL; FEARS [...] (C) SUMMARY: A Diwaniyah Islamic Dawa Party official elected to the Council of Representatives (CoR) from the province's United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) slate cautioned against replacing Ibrahim Jafari as the UIA nominee for prime minister in the new Iraqi government. The parliamentarian, who is re [...] |
2006-03-09 11:53:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH42 |
WASIT PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CONDEMNS U.S. ROLE IN GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY. In a contentious meeting with Regional Embassy Office Al-Hillah staff in Al-Kut, the Wasit Provincial Council (PC) Chairman and members of Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) harshly criticized the United States' role in the ongoing government formation negot [...] |
2006-03-12 17:01:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL PHUM PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH44 |
WELCOME TO IRAQ: SCENES FROM THE IRAQ-IRAN BORDER CROSSING [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY. A March 8 visit by Regional Embassy Office Al-Hillah staff to the Arafat Border Patrol station and Zorbatiyah Point of Entry (PoE) confirmed continuing reports of nearly unrestricted movement of people and goods across the Iran/Iraq border in Northeast Wasit province. The Border [...] |
2006-03-14 08:51:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PBTS PGOV PTER KCRM IR IZ |
| 06HILLAH45 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR VOICES CONCERNS OVER IDP (INTERNALLY [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary. Set Najaf staff met March 15 with Najaf Governor Assad Al Taee. The short meeting focused on the governor's concern regarding the influx of (IDP) Internally Displaced Persons into Najaf. Al Taee claimed that nearly 400 families have moved [...] |
2006-03-19 07:36:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM IZ |
| 06HILLAH46 |
SISTANI CALLS FOR END TO SECTARIAN VIOLENCE AND FORMATION OF [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: In a March 20 meeting with SCIRI (Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq) leader Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani called for an end to sectarian violence. A participant related the substance of the conversation im [...] |
2006-03-20 16:01:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREF PTER KIRF KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH48 |
KARBALA COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS' BIOGRAPHIC [...] (U) In the December 15, 2005 elections, residents of Karbala province cast their votes to fill six seats in the new Council of Representatives (CoR). They elected five members from the Shi'a Islamist United Iraqi Alliance coalition list (UIA, ballot number 555), and one from the National Iraq [...] |
2006-03-23 16:07:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH50 |
SCIRI LEADER AL-HAKIM'S SON ISSUES INVITATION FOR U.S./IRAN [...] (S/NF) Summary. The son of SCIRI leader Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Sheikh Ammar Al Hakim petitioned the Regional Embassy Office, Al Hillah staff for a dialogue between the United States and Iran. He noted that this dialogue should be at the highest levels possible within Iraq and that SCIRI would [...] |
2006-03-26 09:19:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL EAIR IZ |
| 06HILLAH52 |
MOQTADA AL SADR ISSUES STATEMENT ON RECENT FIGHT WITH ISF [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: Radical anti-American cleric Moqtada Al Sadr met March 26 in Najaf with clerics from his organization and members of his Mahdi Militia. He called on them to be calm and show restraint in the wake of renewed fighting with Iraqi Security Forc [...] |
2006-03-27 18:34:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PTER KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH53 |
MUQTADA AL SADR MEETS WITH AYATOLLAH AL SISTANI: OFFERS [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf Cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. According to two independent sources, on March 30, in a hastily arranged meeting, Muqtada Al Sadr met with Ayatollah Al Sistani to discuss recent events and solicit the Ayatollah's advice. Sistani reportedly told Sadr that he had to remain pea [...] |
2006-03-31 18:18:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH54 |
FORMER NAJAF GOVERNOR ON AL-SADR, IRANIAN INFLUENCE [...] (S) SUMMARY: Former Najaf Governor and head of the Loyalty to An Najaf party Adnan Al Zurfi believes Muqtada Al-Sadr wishes to avoid armed confrontation with coalition forces, but is finding it difficult to keep Madhi Army militia under his direct control. Sadr, Zurfi commented, is listening to [...] |
2006-04-05 10:05:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH55 |
TEMPERS FLARE IN WAKE OF NAJAF VBIED ATTACK [...] This is a SET NAJAF cable. 2.(U) SUMMARY. On April 6, a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated 300 meters from the Holy Shrine of the Imam Ali in Najaf. The vehicle was a Sports Utility Vehicle. At 1900 local time, casualty figures had reached 20 confirmed dead and ove [...] |
2006-04-06 17:14:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH57 |
SADR RAILS AGAINST COALITION FORCES AT KUFA MOSQUE [...] (U) This is a SET NAJAF cable. Sensitive, but unclassified. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY. April 7, a day after a car bombing near Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, Muqtada Al Sadr made a rare appearance and conducted the Friday Sermon at Kufa mosque. He condemned the "interference" of the US Ambassador in the [...] |
2006-04-07 18:02:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH58 |
NAJAF QUIET, BUT ANTI-CF RUMORS FLY; BABIL QUIET DESPITE [...] (C) SUMMARY: REO Al-Hillah media contacts reported that while Najaf city was calm and under tight police and army control, Mahdi Army members were seen massing in the cemetery area. The city is abuzz with rumors, and several contacts reported that much of the chatter blames the attacks on th [...] |
2006-04-07 18:07:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIBL IZ |
| 06HILLAH59 |
AYATOLLAHS BLAME U.S. FOR SECTARIAN VIOLENCE [...] This is a SET NAJAF cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY. In reaction to the terrorist attacks near Najaf's Imam Ali Shrine (April 6) and the Attack at Baghdad's Buratha mosque (April 7) two of the major Shi'a clerics affiliated with Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani issued sharply worded Fatwas blaming the Un [...] |
2006-04-09 18:55:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH6 |
BABIL OFFICIALS ASK NAJAF SCIRI BOSS TO HELP OUST BABIL [...] (C) Summary: Members of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) met January 3 with the Najaf head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) to secure the SCIRI leader's help in ousting the Iraqi Police (IP) chief of Babil Province. Recent efforts by religious party-affiliated [...] |
2006-01-07 17:12:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH60 |
SOUTH CENTRAL: NAJAF, KARBALA SERMONS CALL FOR END TO [...] (U) SUMMARY. Friday sermons in both Najaf and Karbala condemned ongoing sectarian violence and demanded an end to the political wrangling over the formation of a national government. In Najaf, a high-ranking Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) cleric also expressed his f [...] |
2006-04-09 18:55:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH62 |
TEXT OF FATWA ISSUED BY MUQTADA AL-SADR IN RESPONSE TO [...] (U) On April 11, Muqtada Al-Sadr issued a fatwa in response to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's comments questioning the loyalty of Iraqi Shi'a. 2. (U) Begin Text (translated by REO Hillah local staff): By the Name of God: Your Excellency the Leader of Islam and Muslims: Within this [...] |
2006-04-12 04:29:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH65 |
WASIT PROVINCAL FINANCES: TREASURY, PROVINCIAL COUNCIL AND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. In a April 12 meeting with Regional Embassy Office staff, Wasit Provincial Treasurer Lu'ay Allah Wardi described procedures instituted by the Wasit provincial government to obligate and disburse the Regional Development and Rapid Reconstruction funds allocated to the province by [...] |
2006-04-13 18:09:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EAID KCRS PGOV IZ |
| 06HILLAH66 |
NAJAF: SADR MEETS WITH SISTANI'S SON, SUPPORTS JA'AFARI FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY. On the evening of April 13, Mohammad Ridha Sistani, son of Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, visited Moqtada Al-Sadr at his residence in the Al-Hannah district of Najaf to discuss the ongoing government formation process. According to sources from within Sadr's and Sistani's offices, Sadr [...] |
2006-04-15 15:15:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH67 |
WASIT: SUWERAH SHAYKH ON RECONSTRUCTION, ELECTIONS, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. Prince Sa'ad Mizher Al-Sumarmed, a prominent tribal figure in the Suwerah area of Northwest Wasit, predicted an increase in Sadrist influence when provincial elections are held after the formation of the national government in Baghdad. Without U.S. backing and security guarantees, [...] |
2006-04-16 18:02:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH7 |
DIWANIYAH IECI HEAD SHARES FINAL PROVINCIAL VOTE, THOUGHTS [...] (C) Summary: The Diwaniyah Province head of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) told REO Al-Hillah staff that the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA, ballot number 555) won seven of Diwaniyah's eight National Assembly seats. The director attributed the result to the mobilization of Shi' [...] |
2006-01-09 14:51:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH71 |
WASIT DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL STRUGGLE WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY. Wasit Deputy Governor Ahmed Abdel Salam Rasheed, in a meeting with Regional Embassy Office (REO) Al-Hillah staff, expressed his frustration with the slow pace of reconstruction in the province. Though the security situation in the province is generally stable, Wasit lacks the capa [...] |
2006-04-26 18:12:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID KCRS PGOV IZ |
| 06HILLAH72 |
SOUTH CENTRAL SHI'A VIEWS ON SELECTION OF JAWAD AL-MALIKI AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: After the April 22 selection of Jawad Al-Maliki as the Prime Minister-designate, REO Hillah canvassed leaders in the heavily Shi'a South Central region of Iraq for their views on this development. Not surprisingly, reaction to Maliki's selection broke down mostly along Shi'a Isl [...] |
2006-04-27 17:19:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH74 |
MUQTADA AL-SADR STATEMENTS: ZARQAWI, COLLABORATING WITH [...] SUMMARY: On April 28 and 29, Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued two "Istifa" or policy statements. The first statement suggested that Al Qaeda leader Zarqawi had entered into a "truce" with Coalition Forces that created a pretext for continued U.S. occupation of Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr told his fol [...] |
2006-05-01 10:52:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PTER KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH75 |
NAJAF FRIDAY SERMONS: SADRIST SAYS THE JAYSH AL-MAHDI ARE [...] (C) SUMMARY During Friday sermons in Kufa and Najaf, Sadr cleric Sayyed Mohammed al-Tabatebaiee rejected the idea of integrating militias into Iraqi security forces in contrast to SCIRI preacher Al-Deen al-Qubanji who praised integration. Both clerics appeared to be reacting to Ayatollah Sist [...] |
2006-05-01 10:55:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL PGOV PINS PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH76 |
WASIT SADRISTS: SISTANI EDICT ON MILITIAS DOES NOT APPLY [...] (C) SUMMARY. The head of the Wasit Sadr Office, Bashaar Al-Mousawi, in an April 30 meeting with Regional Embassy Office (REO) Al-Hillah staff, insisted that the April 27 statement on militias from Grand Ayatollah Sistani does not apply to Sadrist Jaysh Al-Mahdi forces in the province. JAM for [...] |
2006-05-02 18:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH77 |
DIWANIYAH SECULAR POLITICIAN ON MILITIAS, SCIRI POLITICS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Abid Muslim, head of the Iraq National Accord (INA) slate (Allawi) in Diwaniyah Province, spoke to REO Officer on May 3rd, touching upon the stand-off between the Mahdi Militia (MM) and the Badr Organization and decision-making on the provincial council. According to Muslim, the [...] |
2006-05-06 18:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH78 |
MUQTADA AL-SADR MEETS WITH MAHDI MILITIA LEADERS ON BASRA [...] (S) According to a source close to cleric Muqtada's Al-Sadr's immediate circle, radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr met with unidentified Mahdi Militia (MM) leaders on May 6th. Participants discussed the MM response to the downing of a British helicopter in Basra. 2. (S) Our source told REO staf [...] |
2006-05-07 18:44:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | KISL PGOV PTER IZ |
| 06HILLAH79 |
SCANDAL IN ISKANDARIYAH: BABIL PC MEDDLING IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Using the Babil Province Council (PC), SCIRI (Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq) political meddling in northern Babil local politics is on the rise, notably at the expense of secular and mixed Shi'a-Sunni city governments. The recent move to disband the mixed Iskandar [...] |
2006-05-09 13:43:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH8 |
NEW DIWANIYAH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATION SHOWS DAWA, SADR [...] (C) Summary: The Diwaniyah Province delegation to the new National Assembly (NA) will contain seven candidates from the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA, ballot number 555) and one candidate from the Iraqi National List (ballot number 731) according to final provincial results provided by the provinc [...] |
2006-01-09 14:59:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR IZ |
| 06HILLAH80 |
BABIL POLICE CHIEF SACKED [...] (SBU) This afternoon the Babil Provincial Council (PC), in a 24 to 2 vote, recommended the termination of Province Police Chief Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri (commonly known as "General Qais") to the MOI as per CPA Order 71. The PC further voted to install Qais' deputy, Farris Jassim as the new [...] |
2006-05-09 15:21:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH82 |
NORTH BABIL SUNNI SHEIKHS CALL FOR RETENTION OF IP CHIEF, [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a recent meeting with the Regional Coordinator (RC) nine Sunni Sheikhs and tribal leaders from northern Babil Province made a passionate appeal for the REO to prevent the termination of Provincial Police Chief General Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri (ref). The Sheikhs argued th [...] |
2006-05-13 16:49:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH83 |
FORMER SHI'A PROPONENT OF FEDERALISM CHANGES HIS MIND [...] (C) SUMMARY: A well known regional proponent of federalism has reversed course. After several years of holding seminars on federalism, often at the behest of South Central politicians, Diwaniyah Law School President Malin Lilo explained that he was now convinced that federalism would result i [...] |
2006-05-13 18:10:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH84 |
GENERAL QAIS: WILL HE BE DISMISSED? [...] (S) SUMMARY: The beleaguered, but popular head of the Babil Police, General Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri, updated the Regional Coordinator on developments in the Babil Governor and Provincial Council's campaign to dismiss him. General Qais stated that he had traveled to Baghdad on Friday to se [...] |
2006-05-14 18:14:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | KISL PGOV MARR IZ |
| 06HILLAH85 |
GENERAL QAIS: WILL HE BE DISMISSED? [...] (S) SUMMARY: The beleaguered, but popular head of the Babil Police, General Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri, updated the Regional Coordinator on developments in the Babil Governor and Provincial Council's campaign to dismiss him. General Qais stated that he had traveled to Baghdad on Friday to se [...] |
2006-05-15 12:31:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | KISL PGOV MARR IZ |
| 06HILLAH87 |
POSING AS A STATESMAN, MUQTADA AL-SADR CONDEMNS [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On May 16, in response to a query from a group of Iraqi teachers based in Libya, Muqtada Al-Sadr issued a "fatwa" decrying the reopening of full diplomatic ties between the United States and Libya. (NOTE: Because he does not have the nece [...] |
2006-05-18 17:45:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH89 |
SADR LIEUTENANT KILLED AT IP CHECKPOINT, NAJAF REMAINS CALM [...] This is a SET NAJAF cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: On May 18, Abbas Al Chilabi, Mahdi Militia leader and member of radical cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr's personal security detail, was killed at a Najaf Iraqi Police (IP) checkpoint. Najaf IP Chief General Abbas Al Moadal stated IPs opened fire after the [...] |
2006-05-20 17:56:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH90 |
MUQTADA AL-SADR THREATENS BOYCOTT OF PARLIAMENT MEMBERS WHO [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On May 19, the eve of the expected announcement of the newly formed national government, radical anti-American cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr issued a statement outlining his expectations for Iraq's Council of Representatives (CoR). Sadr noted th [...] |
2006-05-20 17:59:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH91 |
DECONSTRUCTING BABIL? SECULAR SHI'AS AND SUNNIS WARY OF PC, [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. The unabated efforts of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) to usurp power from local municipalities and gain control of the provincial security forces continue to provoke a secular Shi'a and Sunni backlash against the SCIRI-controlled body (ref [...] |
2006-05-23 15:08:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH92 |
ISLAMIC DA'WA PARTY CHIEF IN BABIL CALLING FOR IRAQI [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. During a recent meeting Abu Al-Basri, Islamic Da'wa Party Chief of Babil Province, offered Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) staff insight into the party's opinions on reconstruction, the Provincial Council (PC), other Shi'a Islamist parties [...] |
2006-05-24 11:57:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH93 |
SCIRI MEMBERS OF BABIL PROVINCIAL COUNCIL BOYCOTTING DUE TO [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY. The recent decision of twenty-three Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) members to "suspend" their membership in the Provincial Council is the latest salvo in the ongoing dispute over their attempted firing of Babil Police Ch [...] |
2006-05-28 12:27:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL IZ |
| 06HILLAH95 |
DURING FRIDAY PRAYERS IN KUFA, MUQTADA AL-SADR APPEARS TO [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (C) Summary: On Friday, May 26, Muqtada Al-Sadr made an appearance during the midday prayers at the Kufa mosque in Najaf province. Sadr last spoke in Kufa mosque on April 7. Sadr called on "true believers" to begin to strictly follow Islamic teachings. [...] |
2006-06-01 10:45:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH96 |
NOT BETTER THAN CAVES AND RUINS: A SNAPSHOT OF EDUCATION IN [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT Cable 2. (SBU) SUMMARY. During a May 25 meeting, the Education Director General (DG, a provincial representative from the national ministry) for Babil, Dr. Hummadi Al-Awadi, told Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) staff that the current state of education in the p [...] |
2006-06-01 13:45:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SCUL SOCI IZ |
| 06HILLAH97 |
IRANIAN FM MOTTAKI AND AYATOLLAH SISTANI DISCUSS US-IRAN [...] (U) This is a SET Najaf cable. 2. (S) Summary: On May 27, Iranian Foreign Minister (FM) Manouchehr Mottaki visited local officials and members of the religious community in Najaf. Mottaki's visit began at one of Shia Islam's most holy sites, the Imam Ali Shrine. He visited Grand Ayatol [...] |
2006-06-01 14:31:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV KISL KDEM IZ |
| 06HILLAH98 |
INTERNAL DISPLACED PERSONS IN SOUTH CENTRAL IRAQ: AN UPDATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 24, Ali Abbass Jahaker, head of the Wasit Office, Ministry of Displacement and Migration briefed REO staff on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) situation in South Central Iraq. Jahaker provided updated Ministry statistics for South Central IDPs: Najaf 1600 families [...] |
2006-06-01 14:38:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KISL PREF PHUM IZ |
| 07HILLAH10 |
"MAYORS' REVOLT" IS HIGHLIGHT OF ATYPICAL RECONSTRUCTION [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) Summary: The continuation of an unfinished meeting of the Babil Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee (PRDC) did not check off every agenda item but did yield several unexpected positive developments. Complaints from two mayors about a ke [...] |
2007-01-19 16:07:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH100 |
KARBALA: SERMON FOCUSED ON GOVERNMENT RESPONSIVENESS [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (U) Again this week Sayed Ahmed al-Safi, Head of the Al Abbas shrine office, conducted the Friday sermon at Karbala's al-Husain shrine. There is no official word about the absence of Sheikh Abdul Mehdi al-Karbalae at this time. This sermon focused on th [...] |
2007-07-07 15:17:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV IZ PTER |
| 07HILLAH101 |
BABIL GOVERNOR DISCUSSES RECONSTRUCTION, SADR MEETING, [...] (C) Summary: On July 5, Babil Governor Salem Saleh Mahdi Al-Muslimawi discussed his security and reconstruction with Third Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General (DCG), MNF-I Strategic Effects Deputy Commander Brigadier General and PRT representatives at the Regional Embassy Office in Bab [...] |
2007-07-10 13:44:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PTER ECON IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH103 |
KARBALA: SERMON FOCUSES ON THE CONSTITUTION AND SECURITY [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (U) Again this week Sayed Ahmed al-Safi, Head of the Al Abbas shrine office, conducted the Friday sermon at Karbala's al-Husain shrine. Sheikh Abdul Mehdi al-Karbalae reportedly headed the recent meeting of the Karbala Provincial security body, but he wa [...] |
2007-07-14 17:40:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ASEC PTER |
| 07HILLAH106 |
SADRIST UNIVERSITY OPENS IN HILLAH [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (U) In yet another sign of their burgeoning strength in Babil, the local branch of the Office of the Martyr Sadr (OMS) recently opened the "Sadr Religious University" in Hillah. The institution advertises itself as a religious center for higher learning of [...] |
2007-07-15 13:39:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV SOCI KISL SCUL IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH108 |
DISJOINTED POWER "SYSTEM" PLAGUES BABIL PROVINCE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C/REL MNF-I) Summary: Babil residents suffer from an acute shortage of electricity from the national grid, averaging between four and six hours of electricity per day. Demand for power from neighborhood and (for those who can afford it) personal generato [...] |
2007-07-18 14:26:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON EIND EPET PGOV SOCI IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH109 |
KARBALA AND ANBAR SECURITY DIALOGUE [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala and PRT Anbar reporting cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: The governors of Anbar and Karbala provinces met at the Regional Embassy Office (REO) in al-Hillah on July 17 to talk about security concerns along their provinces' shared border. By the conclusion both governorates s [...] |
2007-07-19 07:56:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER PGOV IZ SA |
| 07HILLAH111 |
KARBALA: SHRINES ANNOUNCE TRIBAL SHEIKHS CONFERENCE [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (U) Sayed Ahmed al-Safi, Head of the Al Abbas shrine office, conducted the Friday sermon at Karbala's al-Husain shrine. The message of this sermon focused on government support of budget execution, security and inviting leaders around Iraq to attend a re [...] |
2007-07-21 14:12:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV |
| 07HILLAH112 |
KARBALA POLICE CHIEF TARGET OF JAYSH AL-MAHDI [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-25 14:07:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ASEC PINR PTER |
| 07HILLAH113 |
KARBALA: HOSTS MUNICIPALITIES CONFERENCE AND OIL MINISTER [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: This week Karbala's elected government officials appear to be more publicly pursuing reconstruction projects and efforts, perhaps in preparation for provincial elections. The Governor hosted the first regional municipality confer [...] |
2007-07-25 15:46:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV EIND EPET |
| 07HILLAH114 |
BABIL PC REGULATES FUEL SUPPLIES AND LEVIES TAXES FOR [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) PRT Babil recently met with Basem al-Janabi (ISCI), chairman of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) energy committee to discuss the provincial government's efforts to regulate the distribution of fuel supplies in the province. Formed in 2006 with the con [...] |
2007-07-28 06:38:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET ECON EFIN PGOV SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH117 |
PROVINCES BYPASS NATIONAL ELECTRICITY GRID, THREATENING [...] (U) This is a combined PRT Babil-Najaf-Diwaniya message. 2. (U) Responding to continuing electricity shortages from the national grid, South-Central provinces have begun to take the drastic step of circumventing central government control of the delivery of power to their provinces. Last mon [...] |
2007-08-02 16:53:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG PGOV ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH118 |
PROVINCES BYPASS NATIONAL ELECTRICITY GRID, THREATENING [...] (U) This is a combined PRT Babil-Najaf-Diwaniya message. 2. (U) Responding to continuing electricity shortages from the national grid, South-Central provinces have begun to take the drastic step of circumventing central government control of the delivery of power to their provinces. Last mon [...] |
2007-08-02 17:04:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG PGOV ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH12 |
EYES ON THE SECURITY PRIZE, BABIL GOVERNOR PUTS HIS BEST [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (S) Summary and comment: In a meeting with Babil PRT that proved more of a two-way exchange than previous ones, the Babil governor requested stronger U.S. support for reconstruction projects, spoke somewhat favorably of cooperation with the Coalition in m [...] |
2007-01-20 15:12:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER KDEM IR IZ |
| 07HILLAH128 |
BABIL PROVINCIAL GOV'T HOLDS FRUITFUL DISCUSSION WITH NAT'L [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) On September 20, representatives from Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Barham Saleh's office travelled to Al-Hillah to meet with Babil Governor Salem Saleh Mahdi Al-Muslimawi, members of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) and provincial directors general (DGs [...] |
2007-09-22 07:15:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV EFIN PREL IZ |
| 07HILLAH129 |
KARBALA UPDATE ON FOUR KEY SECTORS [...] This is a PRT Karbala Najaf Diwaniyah unclassified cable. 2. SUMMARY AND COMMENT: On September 22, PRT Karbala traveled with the support of 3ID Division Airlift to the Karbala Provincial Joint Communication Center to meet with the Provincial Council Chairman, Provincial Council members and [...] |
2007-09-24 11:58:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON EAGR IR PREF |
| 07HILLAH13 |
WORRISOME WARRANTS AND OTHER TALES FROM BABIL [...] (U) This is a Babil PRT cable. 2. (C) Summary: Two cases involving a total of fifteen warrants issued in Karbala for Sunni citizens of Babil have the provincial police chief and chief justice worried that extradition may serve as cover for nefarious sectarian or anti-Ba'athist ends. One of [...] |
2007-01-22 09:44:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SOCI PTER KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH130 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR: MARJA'IYYA CONTRIBUTING TO PEACE [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During a September 22 meeting with PRT and CF, the Governor of Najaf noted that the reports AMB Crocker and General Petraeus recently submitted to Congress failed to acknowledge the contribution of the marja'iyya to the peace and stability of I [...] |
2007-09-27 07:29:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH131 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR: MARJA'IYYA CONTRIBUTING TO PEACE [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. This is a retransmission of HILLAH 130. 2. (C/REL MNF-I) SUMMARY: During a September 22 meeting with PRT and CF, the Governor of Najaf noted that the reports AMB Crocker and General Petraeus recently submitted to Congress failed to acknowledge the contribution [...] |
2007-09-29 11:08:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH133 |
GOVERNOR DISCUSSES KARBALA APPROACHING PIC AND ANBAR TALKS; [...] (C) Summary: PRTOffs traveled to Karbala on October 1 to meet with Governor Aqeel, Karbala Provincial Council (PC) Chair Al'al-Yasiry, and the PC Reconstruction Committee. Governor Aqeel noted that the Prime Minister has now confirmed that Karbala will become a Province under Iraqi control (P [...] |
2007-10-06 07:18:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV IZ MARR EAID |
| 07HILLAH137 |
ASSASSINATIONS HALT IN NAJAF [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During the three month period from June 13 - September 14, 2007, Najafis witnessed a sharp increase in the number of targeted assassinations, largely attributed to jaysh al-mahdi (JAM). These killings, predominantly in the form of drive-by sho [...] |
2007-10-12 12:59:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER IZ |
| 07HILLAH140 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR SKEPTICAL OF SADRIST COMPLIANCE WITH ISCI [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During an October 16 meeting with 3ID Deputy Division Commander and PRT Najaf Team Leader, the Najaf Governor expressed skepticism that the followers of Muqtada al-Sadr would comply with the October 5, 2007 accord between al-Sadr and Islamic Su [...] |
2007-10-17 14:53:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH142 |
KARBALA GEARING UP FOR PIC; CONTINUING SECURITY DIALOGUE [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala reporting cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: BG Cardon (3ID D-CGS), Karbala PRT Leader, PRTOffs and the local MiTT Team met with Karbala Governor Aqeel October 16 in the 8th IA Division compound in Husseiniya to discuss planning for the upcoming PIC (Provincial Iraqi Control) [...] |
2007-10-20 13:31:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 07HILLAH143 |
BABIL GOVERNOR FIGHTS TO SAVE HIS OFFICE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable 2. (C) Summary: Babil's governor continues to face difficulties in maintaining key political support against efforts to remove him. Crucial ISCI backing within the provincial council appears to be waning. In response, the governor has embarked upon a campa [...] |
2007-10-28 14:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH144 |
NAJAF TOURISM COMMITTEE PLANS JANUARY CONFERENCE [...] (C) On October 23, PRTOffs met with the Najaf Provincial Council (PC) Tourism Conference preparatory committee. The Committee is a sophisticated group under the leader of PC and hawza member Sheik Fayid Kudhum al Shmerti. The Committee members noted that the tourism industry of Najaf is made up [...] |
2007-10-29 12:08:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PREL PGOV EAIR ECON IR IZ |
| 07HILLAH145 |
KARBALA PROVINCE GOES PIC [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala Cable 2. (SBU) Summary: On October 29, Karbala Province became a Province under Iraqi control (PIC). The arrival of PIC status was celebrated in a three-hour ceremony hosted by Karbala Province and attended by the Prime Minister and Karbala notables, 3ID MG [...] |
2007-11-03 06:43:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MARR IZ |
| 07HILLAH146 |
NAJAF DEPUTY GOVERNOR PRAISES USG COLLABORATION, SEEKS [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During an October 31, 2007 meeting in Najaf with PRT Najaf Team Leader, PRT Engineer, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South (GRS) Engineers, the Najaf Deputy Governor praised the supportive role the USG is playing in Najaf, while c [...] |
2007-11-03 11:50:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH147 |
IRAQI GENERAL OFFERS UPBEAT ASSESSMENT OF IMPROVED SECURITY [...] (C) Summary: Iraqi general offers reasonably upbeat assessment on the improving security climate, despite recent violence in the wake of a concentrated sweep through a JAM-controlled area of Diwaniyah City. Local population appears to support increased efforts to rid the area of Jaish al-M [...] |
2007-11-04 12:39:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ |
| 07HILLAH150 |
BABIL: 2007 BUDGET EXECUTION: A WORRISOME UPDATE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) Former Babil Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC) Coordinator Qassem Hamed Abid told PRT that Babil's much-touted budget execution success for 2007 is a fraud (refs A and B). In a one-on-one conversation with the PRT on November 12 [...] |
2007-11-12 15:41:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON EFIN EPET PINR IZ |
| 07HILLAH151 |
NAJAF LEADERS ASKED USG TO HELP FUND IDP CAMP PROJECTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Members of the Najaf Provincial Council (PC) requested USG assistance to fund some Najaf projects, especially at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, during a November 8 Najaf PRT visit to the IDP camp in Manathera and a subsequent meeting at the PC offices. Ali Al Faya [...] |
2007-11-12 16:40:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PREL PGOV SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH152 |
NAJAF LEADERS ASKED USG TO HELP FUND IDP CAMP PROJECTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Members of the Najaf Provincial Council (PC) requested USG assistance to fund some Najaf projects, especially at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, during a November 8 Najaf PRT visit to the IDP camp in Manathera and a subsequent meeting at the PC offices. Ali Al Fay [...] |
2007-11-12 16:40:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PREL PGOV SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH153 |
BABIL: HILLAH MARKETS ABOUND WITH AFFORDABLE IMPORTS [...] This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. Summary. Hillah markets and shops abound in imported consumer goods, most of which are affordable to average citizens. Open air produce markets typically stock an abundance of mainly Syrian and Iranian fruits and vegetables. Consumers face no shortage of app [...] |
2007-11-13 03:32:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH154 |
INFLUENTIAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HUSSEIN ALI AL-SHALAN'S [...] (C) Summary: Influential sheik and COR member Al-Shalan sees South Central as crucial to Iraq's future. Security situation improving. He fears a weakened Sadr militia will increase influence of Badrists, who "have an agenda beyond Iraq's borders." He believes that Islamists are incapable [...] |
2007-11-13 13:54:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL MARR IZ |
| 07HILLAH155 |
BABIL: PRT HOSTS SHEIKHS' ROUNDTABLE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On November 13, PRT Babil hosted a gathering of Sunni and Shi'a tribal sheikhs from throughout the province. The sheikhs criticized the current political leadership of the province while blaming the US for allowing foreign influences to pe [...] |
2007-11-15 08:26:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER KISL IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH157 |
KARBALA ENGINEERS MEETING; IP CHIEF GRUMBLES ABOUT MOI [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. PRT Karbala met with Karbala PC Chair and key PC members to continue discussion of cooperation between USACE (Corps of Engineers) and Karbala Provincial Engineers on Projects. PRT urged Karbala PRDC to work expeditiously to complete ESF project packages. IP Chief BG Ra'ad expr [...] |
2007-11-16 12:22:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ EAID |
| 07HILLAH158 |
DUSD BRINKLEY VISITS KARBALA [...] Sensitive but unclassified. This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: DUSD Brinkley and his delegation, GOI spokesman Ali al Dubbagh, and PRT Leader were warmly received by Governor Aqeel for a five hour visit that was covered extensively by local media, and included lunch and a visit [...] |
2007-11-18 05:01:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL IZ |
| 07HILLAH161 |
NAJAF'S KUFA UNIVERSITY: DOORS WIDE OPEN [...] (C) SUMMARY: The President of Najaf's Kufa University (Kufa) warmly welcomed the PRT delegation, including Team Leader and PD officer, during a November 21 campus visit. President Razak Al-Essa, who attained his PhD in the U.K., openly discussed his Western-oriented education model with PRT L [...] |
2007-11-25 09:29:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV OEXC SCUL SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH162 |
NAJAF, GOI OFFICIALS AGREE TO CLOSER COORDINATION ON [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: In a November 28 meeting at the Najaf Aiport with the U.S. Transportation Attachi, EmbOffs, PRT Najaf Team Leader, 3ID Deputy Division Commander, and the Director General (DG) of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA), the Najaf Governor and [...] |
2007-12-01 09:32:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EAIR ECON IZ |
| 07HILLAH163 |
NAJAF AND KUFA DISTRICTS LOCAL COUNCILS REQUESTED PRT [...] SUMMARY: During a November meeting with the PRT, members of the local councils (LC) from Najaf and Kufa districts requested USG assistance to help build capacity - including the funding of an office and training of staff, particularly in the U.S. Najaf LC members, Adnan Hussein Mohammed and Ja [...] |
2007-12-01 13:47:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 07HILLAH167 |
IMPROVED SECURITY IN QADISIYAH BODES WELL FOR POSSIBLE PRT [...] (U) This is a joint DS-PRT Diwaniyah cable. 2. (C) Summary: Iraqi general offers upbeat assessment on the improved security climate in Diwaniyah. MND CS Commander concurs but is concerned that Diwaniyah's Governor remains an obstacle to progress. MND CS Commander and 8th IAD General [...] |
2007-12-08 11:33:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL MARR IZ |
| 07HILLAH175 |
DEPUTY GOVERNOR DESCRIBES SOUTH KOREA TRIP, AIRPORT FOLLOW [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) Deputy Governor Abtan met with PRT Leader and PRToffs at the proposed new location for PRT Najaf at former Camp Endeavor next to the airport on December 18. Abtan described his travel to the Republic of Korea (ROK) earlier this month. He noted that t [...] |
2007-12-28 11:30:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAIR IZ PREL |
| 07HILLAH29 |
BABIL PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEMBER AIRS SOME DIRTY LAUNDRY [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) Summary and comment: Although the intended topic was the Babil governor's attempt to remove the mayor of Al-Hillah, a recent conversation with a Communist member of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) revealed much more, including allegations of bribes to [...] |
2007-02-21 14:50:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH36 |
GEO WARNS OF ELECTORAL WEAKNESS [...] (U) This is a PRT Diwaniyah cable. 2. (C) Summary. In a 24 February meeting, Saad Madhloum Abdullah, the General Electoral Officer (GEO) for Diwaniyah Province under the (soon-to-be-abolished) Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq (IECI) warned that the Independent Higher Electoral Commi [...] |
2007-03-01 12:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH45 |
BABIL ELECTION OFFICIAL VOTES FOR SWEEPING CHANGE AT THE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) Summary. The Babil representative to the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI), Assad Abd al-Rudah, recently shared his views with Babil IPAO about methods to reduce electoral fraud and manipulation, including adopting a "one-candidate, one- [...] |
2007-03-24 12:17:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH47 |
BABIL REFORMERS CREATE PROTO-INVESTMENT COMMISSION [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: In the wake of the CoR's passage of the investment law, Babil business and political reformers recently formed a "preparatory" provincial investment commission awaiting the creation of the National Commission for Investment. Despite its uno [...] |
2007-03-28 17:43:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV IZ |
| 07HILLAH48 |
BABIL'S FAINT-HEARTED GOVERNOR [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (S) Summary and comment: The governor of Babil, reeling under the triple impact of a revolt in the provincial council (and the loss of his closest ally there), a public whispering campaign against him and an increasingly assertive Jaysh Al-Mahdi (JAM), sudd [...] |
2007-03-28 17:53:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINS PINR PTER IZ |
| 07HILLAH55 |
NAJAF AND DIWANIYAH PROVINICAL ROUNDUP [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf/Diwaniyah cable. Mark G. Davison, Leader. SUMMARY 2. (S) Local sources have provided some details regarding an April 11 raid on the main office of the Sadrist movement in Diwaniyah during the ongoing security operation. Local journalists are reportedly compl [...] |
2007-04-13 09:26:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PREL PGOV MARR IZ |
| 07HILLAH6 |
BABIL PROVINCIAL ELECTION SHAPSHOT: CHASING A SHADOW [...] (SBU) Summary: Corruption, stagnation and not wanting to repeat the mistakes of two years ago figure among the reasons Babil citizens would like to see elections take place sooner rather than later. An extended delay in scheduling them could plunge more potential voters into cynical abstention [...] |
2007-01-10 09:04:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV SOCI KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH60 |
PREACHER URGES SADRIST SELF-RESTRAINT [...] (U) This is a Najaf PRT cable. Mark G. Davison, Leader. 2. (C) On April 13 at Friday prayers at the Kufa Mosque, Sheik Jawad Al-Rubaiee delivered the sermon. Speaking to some 600-800 congregants, he made the following points of political interest: -- We condemn the military raids and [...] |
2007-04-17 15:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MARR SOCI |
| 07HILLAH68 |
MOSQUES ADDRESS PROVINCIAL IRAQI CONTROL (PIC) [...] (U) This is a Najaf PRT cable. Mark G. Davison, Leader. 2. (C) In our continuing efforts to monitor Friday prayer sermons through our sources on the ground in Najaf Province (see reftel), this past week's efforts provided contrasting views regarding, among other things, the process of P [...] |
2007-04-26 14:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MARR SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH69 |
CLEVER TACTICS, FLAWED ETHICS IN HILLAH MAYOR ELECTION [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: As anticipated in ref A, the Hillah District Council (DC) met on April 21 to choose a new mayor. The surprise winner by one vote - his own - was DC member Sabah Al-Fatlawi, after a campaign allegedly marred by bribery and other improprieties. [...] |
2007-05-02 14:09:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINR KDEM KISL IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH70 |
HILLAH MAYOR KABUKI CONTINUES [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) PRT officers met on May 2 with the full membership of the Hillah District Council (DC) for a discussion of the chain of events described in reftel. Both Aqeel Al-Silawi, who introduced himself as the acting mayor until the Provincial Council (PC) confi [...] |
2007-05-04 07:07:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH71 |
POLICE CHALLENGE VBID, EXPLOSION ENSUES [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf/Diwaniyah Cable. VBID EXPLODES IN KUFA 2. (C) Our locally engaged staff in Najaf report that, on May 8, 2007 at approximately 1015, a device identified by Iraqi Security Forces as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBID) detonated near the Sherhistani [...] |
2007-05-08 13:06:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER SOCI MARR IZ |
| 07HILLAH77 |
GOVERNOR OF NAJAF CALLS ON MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf/Diwaniyah Cable. SUMMARY 2. (C) The Governor of Najaf traveled to Baghdad on 14 May accompanied by Coalition officers and PRT leader. During his call the Governor gave the Minister a detailed list of weapons and ammunition, as well as a proposed budget, for an [...] |
2007-05-20 15:18:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MARR PTER IZ |
| 07HILLAH78 |
PART 1 OF A SERIES: FINGER POINTING AND CONCERNS OVER [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable and is the first in a series on the status of budget execution within Babil. 2. (C) Summary: With the Government of Iraq's announcement that reconstruction funding may be rescinded from provinces that do not spend a certain percentage by the end of June, numerou [...] |
2007-05-23 11:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PREL PINS PGOV SOCI KDEM IZ |
| 07HILLAH81 |
INSIDE THE SAUSAGE FACTORY - A VISIT TO THE BABIL PROVINCIAL [...] (C) Summary and comment: The Babil Provincial Council (PC) meeting on May 29 provided an object lesson on the status of representative governance in the province. While a handful of voices spoke out about things on citizens' minds, such as power shortages and long lines at gas stations, substa [...] |
2007-05-29 15:00:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI IZ |
| 07HILLAH82 |
GOVERNOR FEELS THE HEAT, AS DOES INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST [...] (C) Summary: After a local newspaper printed a story claiming that virtually all Babil residents want Governor Salem Saleh Mehdi Al-Muslimawi to step down, the governor pushed back on the airwaves and the pages of his own paper to attempt to discredit his accusers. A few days thereafter he tra [...] |
2007-06-01 13:55:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR SOCI KDEM IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH84 |
POOR LEADERSHIP, SCARCE CAPITAL AND POWER TOP BABIL [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) Summary: In recent meetings with the PRT, representatives of the Babil business and commercial sector highlighted the following as key to the province's near-term economic growth: -- Overcoming the ineffective and/or counterproductive role of governme [...] |
2007-06-06 05:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAGR EAID EFIN EIND EINV ENRG ETRD PGOV |
| 07HILLAH86 |
IRANIAN-SUPPORTED GROUP SAID TARGETING SISTANI AIDES, WOULD [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (S) Summary: A civil society activist with strong religious credentials recently warned PRT leader that an Iranian-controlled group called Asa'ib Al-Haq, based in Diwaniya, is serving as a tool in Iran's efforts to take control of the hawza, the Shi'a relig [...] |
2007-06-07 04:37:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINS PINR PTER KISL IZ IR |
| 07HILLAH95 |
KARBALA: GOVERNOR PUTS HIS HEART INTO THE TRANSFER OF THE [...] (U) This is a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Karbala classified cable. 2. (U) On June 27, Karbala Governor Aqeel Mahmood al-Khazali met with 3ID Deputy Commanding General (DCG) and PRT representatives at the Regional Embassy Office (REO) in al-Hillah. This was the first meeting betwe [...] |
2007-06-30 08:42:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PTER PINR IZ |
| 07HILLAH96 |
CORRECTED COPY: KARBALA: GOVERNOR PUTS HIS HEART INTO THE [...] (U) This is a corrected copy of Hillah 00000095 (wrong classification) a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Karbala classified cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: On June 27, Karbala Governor Aqeel Mahmood al-Khazali met with 3ID Deputy Commanding General (DCG) and PRT representatives at the Regional [...] |
2007-06-30 08:50:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | ASEC PGOV PTER PINR IZ |
| 07HILLAH99 |
KARBALA: MODERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION [...] (U) This is a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Karbala cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: On June 29, PRT Karbala met with Provincial Council Chairman (PCC), Abdul-A'al Al-Yasiry, to discuss his vision for economic development and the conference in Lebanon. The PCC was returning from a two day Prov [...] |
2007-07-02 14:56:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV |
| 08HILLAH1 |
KARBALA SECURITY IMPROVING DESPITE SECURITY EQUIPMENT [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: On January 2, PRT Leader and PRT off met with IA Brigadier General Emad Majeed Soumadia'a and Iraqi IP BG Ra'ad, as well as School Superintendent Hamada in Brigadier General Soumadia'a's office in Karbala. The following topics were discussed [...] |
2008-01-08 16:10:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAIR PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH10 |
KARBALA GOVERNOR AND PCOP HIGHKLIGHT SUCCESSFUL ASHURA [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On January 21, 2008, BG Cardon, 3ID DCS, members of his staff, PRT Leader and PRToffs met with the Karbala Provincial Governor and the Provincial Chief of Police (PCOP) for a general discussion regarding ISF activities in Karbala Province. [...] |
2008-01-24 13:15:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV IZ ASEC |
| 08HILLAH12 |
KARBALA GOVERNOR AQEEL DISCUSSES PROVINCIAL SITUATION [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On January 21, 2008, BG Cardon, 3ID DCS, members of his staff, PRT Leader and PRToffs met with the Karbala Provincial Governor and the Provincial Chief of Police (PCOP) for a general discussion regarding events in Karbala Province. A k [...] |
2008-01-26 08:54:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV |
| 08HILLAH13 |
NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: In a January 17 meeting, Najaf tribal representatives cautioned Najaf PRT Team Leader that the USG should not try to replicate Anbar-style Awakening Councils in the south central region. While praising the Najaf provincial government, the triba [...] |
2008-01-27 14:03:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV ECON |
| 08HILLAH14 |
NAJAF PRIVATE BANKERS DISCUSS REQUIREMENTS TO OPERATE BANKS [...] This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. SUMMARY: PRT Leader and PRToff met with individuals representing five private banks at FOB Endeavor on January 28, 2008. The purpose of this initial meeting was to introduce PRToff and to discuss topics concerning local private bankers. Issues discussed in [...] |
2008-01-31 07:24:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN IZ |
| 08HILLAH15 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR BRIEFS PRT - AYATOLLAH AL-SISTANI EXPLICITLY [...] (S) SUMMARY: During a meeting with the PRT February 7, Najaf Governor Asa'd Abu Gilel briefed about the Iraqi Vice President's meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, preparation for the upcoming al-Arbaeen gathering in Karbala city, and the Iraqi VP's meeting with Najaf officials. A key poi [...] |
2008-02-12 09:01:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM PINS IZ |
| 08HILLAH17 |
IRAQ ARMY GENERAL: SECURITY IS STABLE IN DIWANIYAH BUT [...] (S/NF) Summary: Eighth Iraq Army Division (8th IAD) Major-General Farhood Uthman believes the general security situation in south central Iraq is good, although he fears a return of insurgent activity in Diwaniyah is possible. He believes the JAM cease-fire will not hold and said that local [...] |
2008-02-20 12:17:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH18 |
SAYID AMAR AL-HAKIM AND GOVERNOR AL-TAIE DISCUSS ELECTIONS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 17, Najaf Governor Asad Abu Gelal al-Taie organized a series of meetings to welcome the Ambassador in Najaf that included a meeting with Amar al-Hakim (son and heir apparent of Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq leader Abd al-Aziz Hakim), a luncheon with 30 Najaf notable [...] |
2008-02-20 19:08:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH19 |
NAJAF ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL TOURISM CONFERENCE, CALLS FOR [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf Cable. 2. (U) Summary. In a February 7 meeting with PRT Najaf, the Najaf Provincial Council (PC) Tourism Committee announced that it decided to hold the three-day tourism conference April 5 - 7, in conjunction with Iraqi Tourism Week, which will begin on April 1 with [...] |
2008-02-26 18:17:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECIN ECON KPAO SOCI SCUL IZ |
| 08HILLAH2 |
IT IS NOW 2008: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY? MEETING [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Governor Asaad Abu Gulal al-Tae and various advisors met with PRT Leader and PRToff at former Camp Endeavor, on January 2. Recommending airport security and design companies, planning the upcoming tourism conference, visiting Kufa University [...] |
2008-01-08 16:15:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAIR PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH20 |
DIWANIYAH COR MEMBER LAMENTS EXCESSIVE MINISTERIAL POWER; [...] (C ) Summary: On February 25, Hussein Al-Shalan, a Council of Representative member from Diwaniyah Province, discussed with PRT Offs his concerns about the negative impact levied on Iraq by "murderous centralization" and an extreme, partisan focus by the ministries in the performance of thei [...] |
2008-03-01 15:58:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH24 |
KARBAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGINIZATION MEETS PRT KARBALA RULE OF [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala Reporting Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On Thursday, March 13, 2008, Karbala PRT Rule of Law (ROL) Coordinator, met with Mr. Ahmed Sadiq Al-Mosewy (Karbala Human Rights Organization Coordinator/Justice Network for Iraq Prisoners), Mr. Nabeel Mohammed Hassan (Deputy Chie [...] |
2008-03-23 18:51:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | KCOR PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH26 |
SOLID REPRESENTATION AT PRT KARBALA FIRST MEDIA CONFERENCE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: PRT Karbala hosted March 19 a media conference that was attended by 25 representatives from private and public television, radio, and newspaper outlets. The objectives of the conference included introducing Team Leader and PRToffs to the local media; expressing PRT support for [...] |
2008-03-26 19:05:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KPAO IZ |
| 08HILLAH34 |
KARBALA BOMBING SENERIOS [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala reporting cable. 2. (S) Summary: At 1745 hours on 17 March 2008, a bomb exploded at a small cafi in Karbala City. The initial attack killed 45 civilians and wounded 65. Since the initial attack, there has been considerable confusion, and much speculation, about [...] |
2008-03-31 16:21:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PGOV PINR PREL IZ |
| 08HILLAH35 |
A DAWA PARTY DIVIDED ON ENGAGING OMS [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Efforts by Babil officials to establish a direct dialogue with the Sadrist Trend in the province in order to overcome the recent security crisis have been stymied by Governor Salam's (and ISCI's) reluctance, by divisions within Dawa and by the [...] |
2008-03-31 16:41:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV IZ PINR |
| 08HILLAH37 |
REGIONAL TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES LEAD TO NAJAF TOURISM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Najaf Provincial Council Tourism Committee, chaired by Sheikh Fayed al-Shimerti, reluctantly decided to postpone the April 5-6 Najaf Tourism Conference (reftel) for exactly one month in the wake of country-wide disruptions from the recent Basrah offensive. The conference i [...] |
2008-04-02 13:13:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ECIN ECON KPAO SOCI SCUL IZ |
| 08HILLAH39 |
SECURITY SITUATION IN KARBALA: MALIKI - 1 SADR - 0 [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala reporting cable 2. (C) SUMMARY: Maliki and his supporters in the provincial government were the clear winners in the latest clashes between insurgents and the government in Karbala. Government forces continued effective operations against JAM that had started [...] |
2008-04-06 20:40:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PREL PTER PGOV IZ |
| 08HILLAH40 |
KARBALA PRDC PROCESS OVERVIEW AND ISSUES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Governor of Karbala Province has asked the PRT for greater Iraqi control over the PRDC process by which most U.S. funded projects in the Province are executed. The PRT sees substantial benefits to the overall U.S. mission that could be obtained from increased Iraqi control [...] |
2008-04-07 09:15:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EINV IZ |
| 08HILLAH46 |
TOP MOQTADA LIEUTENANT RIYAD AL-NURI ASSASSINATED IN NAJAF; [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf reporting cable. 2. (C) On April 10, Najaf Governor Asad called PRT to inform us that unknown gunmen had assassinated Riyad al-Nuri, a relative of Moqtada al-Sadr's by marriage and and senior operations aide in Najaf. Asad called Team Leader (TL) promptly after he [...] |
2008-04-13 08:55:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH47 |
FIRST STATE OF BABIL CONFERENCE: AMIDST THE GRIPES, A PLEDGE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: On April 10, Governor Salam Salah Mahdi al-Muslimawi and Provincial Council Chairman Muhammad Ali Hussain Al-Massudi held a conference with District and Sub-District leaders on the "State of Babil." Although much of the discussion (at the Gove [...] |
2008-04-13 17:05:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH48 |
BABIL SADRISTS HOLD "RECONCILIATION" CONFERENCE [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) Office of the Martyr Sadr (OMS) Babil leader Shaykh Sadiq al-Isawi and Council of Representatives (COR) Member Ahmad al-Massudi invited tribal shaykhs, governmental officials, and political party representatives to the Provincial Artist Union meeting [...] |
2008-04-22 13:35:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV IZ IR PTER |
| 08HILLAH49 |
SADRISTS IN NAJAF [...] (C) Begin Summary: On April 24, Team Leader met with Sheikh and COR member Hussein Ali Al Shalan (Diwaniyah) and Sheikh and COR member Ra'ad Wahid Al Fitlah (Najaf). The two COR members say the Sadrists (and all parties) show restraint and do not fight in Najaf, and those Sadrists who are i [...] |
2008-04-26 07:38:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV IZ IR PTER JAM |
| 08HILLAH5 |
NAJAF GOVERNOR ON OUTREACH, BANKING, AIRPORT, IRANIAN [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf cable. 2. (S) SUMMARY: In a January 8 meeting with Najaf PRT Team Leader, the Governor Najaf outlined provincial diplomatic and economic activities. The Governor also described ongoing efforts to improve the banking sector in Najaf, and he reiterated his vision of t [...] |
2008-01-11 15:08:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL ECON VT IZ |
| 08HILLAH50 |
NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf Cable 2. (S): Begin Summary: In an April 28 meeting with Team Leader, Governor Asad Abu Gelal said the security situation in Najaf is not bad compared to other areas of Iraq despite the recent increase in tension between the GOI and Sadrists nationawide. Abu Gel [...] |
2008-05-01 17:08:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | IZ PGOV ECON |
| 08HILLAH52 |
NAJAF'S KUFA UNIVERSITY - MUCH TO BOAST BUT "WORDS" OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Kufa University staff has made impressive progress since PRT Najaf's introductory meeting November last year. With some PRT assistance, the influential university president Dr. Razak Al-Essa has accomplished much that was on his "wish list." (ref) In March, Kufa University becam [...] |
2008-05-05 15:15:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SCUL SOCI IZ |
| 08HILLAH53 |
BABIL AND THE POLITICS OF SECURITY [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The ISF emerged from the late March clashes with Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) with a renewed sense of strength, demonstrating an ability to better coordinate IP and IA actions. It has not been able, however, to build on that success, largely due to t [...] |
2008-05-08 12:09:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PTER PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH54 |
BG CARDON AND TL ENGAGE NAJAF GOVERNOR ON SECURITY [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf Cable. 2. (S) Summary: On the margins of meeting with Najaf authorities on May 10 to discuss the airport (see septel), BG Cardon and TL met with Governor Asad to discuss the security situation in Najaf. The Governor noted that he had not yet heard back about [...] |
2008-05-11 14:17:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SCUL SOCI IZ |
| 08HILLAH55 |
BG CARDON AND TL ENGAGE NAJAF GOVERNOR ON SECURITY [...] (U) This is a PRT Najaf Cable. 2. (S) Summary: On the margins of meeting with Najaf authorities on May 10 to discuss the airport (see septel), BG Cardon and TL met with Governor Asad to discuss the security situation in Najaf. The Governor noted that he had not yet heard back about [...] |
2008-05-12 15:18:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | IZ PGOV ASEC |
| 08HILLAH58 |
ISCI INTRIGUE IN BABIL [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The former de facto leader and heavyweight in Babil's Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) provided insight into his strife-ridden party, panhandled for U.S. support, and faulted the U.S. for not being more actively involved in shaping the [...] |
2008-05-27 03:37:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH59 |
ISCI INTRIGUE IN BABIL [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The former de facto leader and heavyweight in Babil's Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) provided insight into his strife-ridden party, panhandled for U.S. support, and faulted the U.S. for not being more actively involved in shaping the [...] |
2008-05-27 03:37:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH60 |
DAWA INSIDER DISCUSSES SOUTH-CENTRAL IRAQ POLITICAL [...] (C) Summary: In a May 29 meeting, PM Maliki's Personal Representative in the South-Central Region (and Babil Dawa Chair), Ali Jabur Hassun (Abu Ahmed al-Basri), said that: -- PM Maliki had obtained a pledge from Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani not to support a specific party in the provincial e [...] |
2008-06-02 15:48:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH61 |
JANABI TRIBE SHEIK JOINS FORCES WITH FORMER BABIL GOVERNOR [...] No summary [...] |
2008-06-02 15:50:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH62 |
BABIL POLITICAL PARTIES LOBBYING TRIBAL COUNCILS [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: With mosques and religious entities all but out of play in the upcoming provincial election campaign, several of Babil's competing political parties are courting local tribal councils. Senior representatives from the Islamic Supreme Council o [...] |
2008-06-03 16:03:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH63 |
MEA SHEIKHS: FEED THE MOUTH, OWN THE MIND [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil Cable. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Three of the key Mid-Euphrates Awakening (MEA) sheikhs stressed that they have been loyal friends of the U.S. and the Coalition and said the time had come for recognition and compensation of their role in a June 10 meeting with the PRT. For [...] |
2008-06-15 14:11:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ IR PGOV PINR PREL |
| 08HILLAH64 |
ISCI COURTING BABIL'S SCHOOL-AGED VOTERS [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (U) The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq's (ISCI) latest campaign venture in Babil province is the Safwa ("Pure") Gathering. This organization focuses its efforts at college and secondary-school students who are nearing or have recently entered the voting-a [...] |
2008-06-23 13:43:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH66 |
BABIL PC ENDS BOYCOTT OF U.S.G. [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (U) SUMMARY: Babil Provincial Council Chairman Muhammad Ali Hussayn al-Massudi (PCC) and Governor Salam Salih Mahdi al-Muslimawi agreed to end a two-week boycott of all U.S. entities working out of the al-Hillah Regional Embassy Office (REO) during a June [...] |
2008-07-02 14:17:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | IZ IR PGOV PINR |
| 08HILLAH68 |
BABIL'S CHRISTIAN FAMILIES ARE LOOKING FOR A SAVIOR [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) Babil's Christian families are among the dwindling religious minorities in south central Iraq. Given the challenges they described during their July 7 meeting with Babil PRT at the Regional Embassy Office in al-Hillah, it is not surprising that other [...] |
2008-07-17 08:13:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PINR IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH7 |
SHEIKH AL-SHALAN DISCUSSES RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN DIWANIYAH [...] (U) This is a PRT Diwaniyah Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: PRT Leader (Simmons) and PRTOffs met with COR member Sheikh Hussain Al-Shalan at the REO in Al Hillah on January 8 to discuss recent security and political developments in Diwaniyah as well as Baghdad. Al Shalan believes elections cou [...] |
2008-01-17 17:24:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV |
| 08HILLAH75 |
SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TAKE AIM AT PM MALIKI AND HIS [...] (C) In an August 31 meeting with the Babil PRT team leader, Babil's Provincial Council (PC) Deputy Chair, Dr. Nea'ma, a Da'wa member, discussed Governor Salam's (ISCI) attempts to subvert Prime Minister (PM) Maliki's efforts to create tribal support councils by starting a rival ISCI-backed trib [...] |
2008-09-02 08:43:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH76 |
BABIL PROVINCIAL COUNCIL LIFTS PRT BOYCOTT: FROM SHUNNING TO [...] No summary [...] |
2008-09-05 15:45:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH77 |
BABIL TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS ISCI/DAWA [...] (SBU) On September 12, the Babil Tribal Support Council held its founding congress at the Artists Hall in al-Hillah. The head of the Prime Minister Maliki's Babil tribal support council initiative, Sheikh Salih Kashif al-Gittah, and the Prime Minister's senior tribal advisor, Dr. Abood al-Essa [...] |
2008-09-15 09:38:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH78 |
BABIL PREPARES TO TRANSITION SONS OF IRAQ PROGRAM [...] (S) Babil Governor Salam, Provincial Director of Police BG Fadhil, 31st Army (IA) Brigade Commander BG Abdul Ameer and 4/3 BCT Commander Thomas James led a meeting September 16 in Hillah of the North Babil Tribal Conference to discuss transition of the Sons of Iraq (SOI) to GOI management. Go [...] |
2008-09-18 05:56:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH79 |
BABIL PREPARES TO TRANSITION SONS OF IRAQ PROGRAM [...] (C) Babil Governor Salam, Provincial Director of Police BG Fadhil, 31st Army (IA) Brigade Commander BG Abdul Ameer and 4/3 BCT Commander Thomas James led a meeting September 16 in Hillah of the North Babil Tribal Conference to discuss transition of the Sons of Iraq (SOI) to GOI management. Go [...] |
2008-09-19 05:56:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH8 |
FORMER GOVERNOR CLAIMS POPULAR SUPPORT FOR SECTARIAN CONTOL [...] (U) This is a PRT Karbala Cable. 2. (SBU) Summary: On January 12, PRT Leader and PRT offs met with NGO and politically independent leaders in the REO in al Hillah. They described their activities and the NGO community and stated that popular support for sectarian control of the politic [...] |
2008-01-18 14:03:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ |
| 08HILLAH80 |
BABIL'S BUDGET EXECUTION RATE HIGH BUT NEEDS IMPROVED [...] (U) Summary: Budget execution rates for Babil Province are among the highest in Iraq, but is not likely to significantly improve absent central government reform of the budget process that allows earlier and more predictable release of funding during the fiscal year. Pressure to increase [...] |
2008-09-19 14:37:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PGOV IZ |
| 08HILLAH81 |
BABIL TRIBAL SUPPORT COUNCIL MOVING AHEAD [...] (C) On September 18, Sheikh Ali Shannan Sheik Salah Khashif al-Gettah, who chaired the 11 September founding Congress of the Babil Tribal Support Council (TSC), told the PRT that they are pressing forward with the TSC initiative in Babil and would focus on political reconciliation, including w [...] |
2008-09-22 05:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS IZ |
| 08HILLAH83 |
BABIL POLICE INTELLIGENCE HIT SQUADS: AN IRANIAN HAND? [...] (S) Babil Department of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) and the Babil SWAT (Anti-Terrorist National Police) personnel are being surveiled for targetting and elimination by a secret Police Intelligence unit supervised by Col. Majid Wawe'e Al Kafaji (aka Abu Ahmed Al-Shabani), acc [...] |
2008-09-24 06:45:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PINR PINS IZ IR |
| 08HILLAH84 |
BABIL'S SOI TRANSITION: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS [...] (S) Summary: In meetings September 10-20 with Sons of Iraq (SOI) leaders, tribal sheikhs, Iraqi Army and Police commanders, local councilors, Babil Governor Salam, Provincial Council Chair Messaoudi and PRT, EPRT and 4/3 ID Brigade leadership, leaders in North Babil underscored potentially ser [...] |
2008-09-26 11:04:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | MARR PINS PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH85 |
BABIL SOI TRANSITION: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS [...] (S) Summary: In meetings September 10-20 with Sons of Iraq (SOI) leaders, tribal sheikhs, Iraqi Army and Police commanders, local councilors, Babil Governor Salam, Provincial Council Chair Messaoudi and PRT, EPRT and 4/3 ID Brigade leadership, leaders in North Babil underscored potentially ser [...] |
2008-09-27 15:58:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | MARR PINS PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH86 |
BADR BESET BY SCORPIONS [...] (S) On September 28, Babil - based SWAT commandos (the Scorpions) accompanied by U.S. Special Forces raided Badr's provincial HQ offices in Al-Hillah and confiscated illegal weapons, including 35 AK-47's, six rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, 30 mortar rounds (80m), three BKC's, five M5 [...] |
2008-10-01 15:21:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 08HILLAH91 |
WHAT'S IN A TRIBAL BATTALION? [...] (C) In recent weeks, there have been cross-cutting political pressures in Babil regarding the establishment of an "Iraqi Police (IP) tribal battalion." ISCI Governor Salam Saleh Mahdi Al-Muslimawi has pushed hard to have one established but so far without success. He has been looking to capi [...] |
2008-11-01 10:47:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS IZ |
| 08HILLAH92 |
CONSTRUCTION BOOMING IN AL-HILLAH [...] Summary: Construction in Al-Hillah, particularly of homes, is booming. Land values have doubled in the past year and in some cases increased even more. Construction is fueled by Al-Hillah's strategic location, improved security, growing population and economy, and changing social customs. [...] |
2008-11-05 13:34:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SOCI IZ |
| 08HILLAH93 |
OMS' TOWER OF BABYL [...] (C) Summary: OMS leadership in Babil is under increased strain as its militia wing, the Mahdi Army (JAM), seeks to transorm itself into the Mumahidun and as divisions widen between moderates and hard-liners widen in the run-up to the provincial elections in late January. Dawa efforts to court [...] |
2008-11-06 18:47:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS IZ |
| 08HILLAH96 |
BABIL'S INDUSTRY: PRIVATE SECTOR GUARDEDLY OPTIMISTIC, SOE [...] (U) Summary: Babil's private sector manufacturers struggle with access to reliable power and credit, but say their sector is improving, especially for companies making construction materials. SOEs employ over 30,000 workers in the province, but most only show up to collect paychecks. SOEs ha [...] |
2008-12-07 13:26:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EIND ELAB IZ |
| 09HILLAH11 |
BABIL VOTE: EARLY SIGNS OF A DECISIVE DAWA VICTORY [...] (C) In a late February 1 conversation, Babil Governorate Election Office Director Hussein Al-Khalef confirmed that Da'wa had won a decisive victory. Although IHEC has not yet released the initial vote results and the exact distribution of PC seats may take several weeks to determine, according [...] |
2009-02-02 09:37:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH14 |
BABIL'S DA'WA LEADERS UNDER THREAT WHILE AWAITING WORD FROM [...] (S) Babil Da'wa party leader Abu Ahmed Al-Basri and his deputy, Dr. Neama Jassim, the outgoing Provincial Council Deputy Chairman, are under threat of assassination from Special Groups that have recently slipped into Iraq from Iran to carry out targeted assassinations, according to Dr. Jassim [...] |
2009-02-14 19:06:00 | REO Hillah | SECRET | PGOV PINR PINS IZ |
| 09HILLAH15 |
BABIL PROVINCE ELECTIONS: BALLOTS OVER BULLETS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Babil Provincial Council (PC) election was credible and perceived as legitimate by the majority of citizens in the province. There were some problems with isolated cases of observer misconduct and difficulties with registration and problems with getting to the polls but over [...] |
2009-02-16 16:32:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR PINS IZ |
| 09HILLAH16 |
UNAMI REP ON DA'WA, FEDERALISM AND UNIVERSITY ATTITUDES [...] (SBU) Summary: PRT Babil officers met February 7 with Dr. Ala'a al-Enezy, UNAMI's representative for Babil Province and a law professor at Babylon University, and fellow law professor Dr. Hadi al-Keby. The professors expected a Da'wa governor to emerge in Babil province through a coalition in [...] |
2009-02-17 14:24:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH17 |
BABIL POLITICAL JOCKEYING PUTS FORMER GOVERNOR WITWIT IN [...] (SBU) The final election results for the Babil Provincial Council (PC) give Da'wa (eight seats) a somewhat slimmer lead over ISCI (five seats) than had been originally expected based on preliminary results, although some difficult bargaining still lies ahead. Da'wa has established alliances wit [...] |
2009-02-23 10:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH19 |
BABIL: GOVERNOR SIDELINED; POSSIBLE CHANGES IN ISF [...] (C) Other than one or two public appearances, Governor Salim Saleh Mahdi Al-Muslimawi has largely disappeared from the public stage since the election. According to various political party leaders, Gov Muslimawi has also not played a role in inter-party discussions about filling provincial lea [...] |
2009-02-24 14:06:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PROB PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH2 |
BABIL'S POLITICS HEADING TOWARD ELECTIONS: CHANGE AND [...] Summary. (C) Babil's political landscape is sure to change after the elections, but the scope may be less than some opposition politicians seek. ISCI's dominant position is sure to be weakened, but it may not be broken altogether. Dawa may assume a greater political role in the province, if [...] |
2009-01-13 20:11:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM IZ |
| 09HILLAH21 |
COMMISSION ON INTEGRITY WORKING UPHILL IN HILLAH [...] (SBU) Summary: The Babil branch of the Commission on Integrity is striving to improve anti-corruption enforcement in the province against a tide of legal constraints and lack of public confidence. The office has processed hundreds of cases since 2006, of which around a quarter were dismissed [...] |
2009-03-05 06:09:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCOR PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH22 |
BABIL BUSINESS CONFERENCE: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR "NEW [...] (U) Summary: Babil PRT held a Business Environment Conference February 26 to develop an Iraqi-led process to help guide and inform the work of both the PRT and those entities involved in the province's business environment. It was the largest conference ever held at the PRT and included over [...] |
2009-03-09 13:08:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH23 |
TAKING STEPS TO UPROOT THE STATIST LEGACY IN BABIL'S [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Although agriculture is almost certainly the largest employer in Babil Province, a long history of central planning has undermined its competitiveness and long-term sustainability. As the owner of around 70 percent agricultural land in the province, the government micromanages w [...] |
2009-04-05 11:32:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON EINV IZ |
| 09HILLAH24 |
TAKING STEPS TO UPROOT THE STATIST LEGACY IN BABIL'S [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Although agriculture is almost certainly the largest employer in Babil Province, a long history of central planning has undermined its competitiveness and long-term sustainability. As the owner of around 70 percent agricultural land in the province, the government micromanages w [...] |
2009-04-05 11:32:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON EINV IZ |
| 09HILLAH26 |
ISCI PALYING FOR TIME AS DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR NEW [...] (C) Governor Salim Saleh Al-Muslimawi (ISCI) is expected to delay convening of the new Provincial Council (PC) as long as possible, using this time to try to pry away individual members of the Da'wa-led coalition and deny it a majority, according to Abu Ahmed Al-Basri, Babil Da'wa party leader [...] |
2009-04-07 13:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH27 |
ISCI PLAYING FOR TIME AS DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR NEW [...] (C) Governor Salim Saleh Al-Muslimawi (ISCI) is expected to delay convening of the new Provincial Council (PC) as long as possible, using this time to try to pry away individual members of the Da'wa-led coalition and deny it a majority, according to Abu Ahmed Al-Basri, Babil Da'wa party leader [...] |
2009-04-07 13:56:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH28 |
MODERATE BABIL SADRIST ON U.S. ROLE IN HELPING WEAKEN [...] (C) In an April 6 meeting with the PRT, outgoing moderate Sadrist PC member Murtada Kamel gave unsolicited suggestions on how the PRT could undermine Sadrist extremists and bolster moderates. In what appeared to be a message from the incoming Al-Ahrar PC member (Kadum Majid Tooman), who is slat [...] |
2009-04-08 13:33:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH29 |
BAGHDAD THROWS A CURVE BALL AT BABIL DA'WA [...] (C) Da'wa officials in Babil and other the southern provinces have been asked -- but not instructed -- by Da'wa leaders in Baghdad to talk to ISCI about forming provincial coalitions, according to several sources. Babil Da'wa party Chairman Abu Ahmed Al-Basri confirmed that he was recently by A [...] |
2009-04-09 12:13:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH3 |
BABIL ISF REACTS SWIFTLY TO FIRST ASSASSINATION OF A [...] (SBU) The ISF moved swiftly to respond on January 16 to the assassination that same day of Haytim Kadum Ali Abd Al-Husseiny, number two on Da'wa's list of candidates for the January 31 provincial council (PC) election. Within hours a curfew was imposed on the town of Jabella, where the murder [...] |
2009-01-17 09:40:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH30 |
BABIL ELECTS NEW GOVERNOR: A DA'WA CHOICE BUT ON A SHORT [...] (SBU) On April 18 the Babil Provincial Council (PC) elected Salman Nasser Taha Al Zargani as Governor by a vote of 20 out of the 23 PC members present. Seven ISCI affiliated PC members, led by the former Governor Salim Al-Muslimawi, walked out of the meeting in protest. Da'wa and ISCI had be [...] |
2009-04-19 16:51:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH32 |
BABIL DA'WA LEADER ON BAGHDAD'S EFFORTS TO GIVE GOVERNO [...] (C) In a 20 April meeting with the PRT, Da'wa provincial chairman and PC member Abu Ahmed Al-Basri confirmed media reports that the national Da'wa leadership had promised the Babil Governorship to ISCI and that local Da'wa officials had reneged. He said that he had received eleveNnth hour inst [...] |
2009-04-21 16:20:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH33 |
DA'WA EFFORTS TO GIVE AWAY BABIL GOVERNORSHIP [...] (C) In a 20 April meeting with the PRT, Da'wa provincial chairman and PC member Abu Ahmed Al-Basri confirmed media reports that the national Da'wa leadership had promised the Babil Governorship to ISCI and that local Da'wa officials had reneged. He said that he had received eleventh hour instru [...] |
2009-04-21 17:00:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH34 |
BABIL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SHORT OF FUNDS [...] (SBU) Summary: The sharp decline in Iraq's oil revenue, together with an over-obligation of budget resources by the former provincial government, means that Babil Province faces a funding shortfall. Newly elected members of the provincial council are still unfamiliar with budget processes and [...] |
2009-04-24 17:22:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH35 |
BABIL'S MAGIC CARPETS FAIL TO FLY [...] Summary: A state-owned carpet factory in Babil produces attractive handmade carpets. But the factory loses money because its costs are even higher than the price the government sets for rugs, which is itself above competitive levels with imports. Despite the high quality of the carpets, the [...] |
2009-04-28 13:41:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EIND PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH36 |
BABIL "MUD HOUSE" PERFORMANCE TAPS ANTI-CORRUPTION CHORD AND [...] (U) Summary: The April 24 and 25 performances by the "Mud House" troupe met with the kind of public enthusiasm associated with a World Cup match or a rock concert. The performances were the first since mid-2003 at the amphitheater on the Babylon ruins site that was constructed by Saddam Huss [...] |
2009-04-30 13:25:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KCOR SCUL PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH37 |
SECOND PRT-SUPPORTED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE [...] Summary: At the second Business Environment Conference (BEC2) on April 25, participants agreed on the need for the business community to advocate for solutions with regard to corruption, the need for improved infrastructure, better credit, and critical economic legislation. Co-hosted by the PRT [...] |
2009-05-06 13:29:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH38 |
ZOMBIE FIRMS HAUNT IRAQ'S ECONOMY [...] Summary: Many of Iraq's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are economic zombies -- the GOI won't let them die, and they do not have the means to become viable on their own. At a chemical and sack plant in Babil Province, for instance, less than half the employees actually work, but the Ministry of [...] |
2009-05-15 08:25:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EIND PGOV IZ |
| 09HILLAH4 |
BABIL ASSASSINATION: FOCUS TURNS TOWARD SUNNI EXTREMISTS AND [...] (C ) ISF and Dawa sources say initial indications point to Sunni "criminals" as the perpetrators of the 16 January assassination of the number two candidate on Da'wa's PC election list, Haythim Al-Husseiny (reftel). Babil Deputy Da'wa Chairman Dr. Neama Jassim sought to play down initial specu [...] |
2009-01-18 19:39:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS KDEM PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH41 |
"INDEPENDENT" BABIL GOVERNOR ON A SHORT DA'WA LEASH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Newly elected and nominally independent Babil Governor Salman Nasir Zargany has begun his official duties with a flourish, but there is speculation in Al-Hillah that he is keeping the governor's seat warm until Da'wa Chairman Abu Ahmed al-Basri can replace him. Even though Da'wa [...] |
2009-05-29 12:06:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH45 |
BABIL PRT: BABIL'S BANKS STRUGGLE TO FOSTER PRIVATE SECTOR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Babil's political, academic, and business leaders have repeatedly identified access to capital and the functionality of the banking sector as the top impediment to greater private sector development in the province. While the number of private sector banks in Babil has increase [...] |
2009-06-26 10:41:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV EINV IZ |
| 09HILLAH46 |
NEW ANTI-DAWA COALITION CONTROLS MAJORITY OF BABIL [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. 2. (SBU) Summary and Comment: On Sunday, August 9, 2009, Iraqi press reported the formation of a new coalition of 18 members of the Babil provincial council called the Babil National Coalition formed in opposition to the ruling DAWA coalition. [...] |
2009-08-12 10:47:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS IZ |
| 09HILLAH47 |
THE NEW ANTI-DAWA COALITION - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. Summary ------- 2. (SBU) Summary: On August 9 Iraqi press reported the formation of a new, 18 PC member coalition, the Babil National Coalition (reftel). The coalition reportedly formed in opposition to the ruling DAWA coalition. Press re [...] |
2009-08-16 13:44:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS IZ IR |
| 09HILLAH48 |
SUNNI IMAM'S FORAY INTO NON-SECTARIAN POLITICS [...] (U) This is a PRT Babil cable. Summary and Comment ------------------- 2. (C) Summary and Comment: On August 19, PRT Babil met with Sheikh Fadel al-Janaby to follow up on Embassy's request to find out more about the reported announcement of a new political entity in Babil o [...] |
2009-08-19 14:32:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SOCI IZ |
| 09HILLAH49 |
IHEC BABIL REP CONCERNED ABOUT US MILITARY PRESENCE DURING [...] No summary [...] |
2009-08-26 15:25:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC MARR ATRN AMGT |
| 09HILLAH6 |
PM'S OFFICE TAKES CHARGE OF INVESTIGATION INTO ASSASSINATION [...] (C) On January 20 a Baghdad investigative team arrived in Babil to take the lead in the investigation into the assassination of Haytem Al-Husseiny, Da'wa's number two candidate for election to the PC. The Baghdad team is led by officials from the PM's office -- apparently the CTB -- but also i [...] |
2009-01-23 15:23:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PGOV KDEM PINR IZ |
| 09HILLAH7 |
ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN BABIL: CREDITABLE IMPROVEMENTS OVER [...] (U) SUMMARY.The Babil provincial election campaign has been lively and robust, engaging previously alienated voters (Sunnis and Saddrists) and producing predictions of a high turnout. The campaign reflects creditable progress over the last election in 2005, and the Independent High Electoral Co [...] |
2009-01-27 05:26:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM IZ |
| 09HILLAH8 |
QAIS MURDER TRIAL: CONTINUED DELAYS POINT TO POSSIBLE [...] (SBU) The trial of three defendants accused of the December 2007 murder of former Babil Chief of Police (PDoP) MG Qais Al-Mamoury has been delayed four times over the last three months, since the trial venue was transferred from Babil to Baghdad in October. Gen Al-Mamoury's brother, Safa Al-Ma [...] |
2009-01-27 09:38:00 | REO Hillah | CONFIDENTIAL | KJUS PGOV KCOR IZ |
| 09HILLAH9 |
CORRUPTION ENDEMIC IN BABIL PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS [...] (SBU) Summary: Big ticket corruption in Babil province involves tens of millions of dollars of public works contracts reportedly steered to a contracting company owned by the brother of Governor Salim Saleh Al-Muslimawi, who Provincial Council members tell us sits at a nexus of corruption. Sy [...] |
2009-01-27 11:12:00 | REO Hillah | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCOR PGOV ECON IZ |