US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD2838

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002838 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, IZ, Security, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: MOST ARAB EMBASSIES CONDEMN ATTACKS ON FOREIGN 
DIPLOMATS, PLAN TO REMAIN IN IRAQ 
 
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires David M. Satterfield for reasons 1.4 
(b) 
and (d) 
 
1.  (C/NF) SUMMARY.  Contacts at a number of foreign missions 
in Baghdad condemn the recent spate of kidnappings and 
assassination attempts against Arab diplomats in Baghdad. 
They believe these actions are likely part of the 
insurgency's and Al-Qaeda's campaign to undermine the Iraqi 
government and intimidate other foreign missions in Iraq. 
Some foreign officials believe Iraq security adequately 
protects them; others claim the quality of protection is 
inadequate.  None, however, plan to close down.  The UAE 
ambassador believes these recent incidents signal the 
desperation of the insurgency following recent security 
initiatives against them. END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C/NF) Contacts at a number of foreign missions in 
Baghdad have all condemned the rash of kidnappings and 
assassination attempts against Arab diplomats in Baghdad. 
The Syrian Embassy refused to comment, however.  Some 
embassies think these actions are part of the insurgency's 
and Al-Qaeda's campaign to discredit the Iraqi government and 
force the closure of Arab embassies in Iraq.  According to an 
AP web report, Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the 
July 2 kidnapping of Egyptian Charge, Ambassador Ihab al 
Sherif.  However, to date no entity has claimed ownership of 
the July 5 attacks on Bahraini Charge Hasan al-Ansari and 
Pakistani Ambassador Yunis Khan.  A summary of reactions from 
the Bahraini, Pakistani, Lebanese, Lebanese, United Arab 
Emirates, Syrian, and Tunisian embassies follows: 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Bahraini Embassy - Attack was Deliberate 
---------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Ambassador Hasan told us from his hospital bed July 6 
that he was on his way from his home to the Embassy, located 
down the street from his residence, when two vehicles 
approached him.  The occupants of one vehicle opened fire on 
his vehicle with a round of at least ten bullets.  He ducked 
to avoid the fire, but one bullet struck him in his right 
upper arm.  Ambassador Hasan said the car was "filled with 
blood" from the wound.  He made his way to the police station 
nearby; the police took him to the Iraqi hospital for 
emergency care.  Ambassador Hasan is certain this was a 
well-planned assassination attempt on his life, noting 
surveillance of his residence the day before and the lack of 
police who usually guarded the street the day of the 
incident.  He will be medivaced within a few days to Bahrain 
or Amman.  Hasan was uncertain what plans the Bahraini 
government has for his mission in Baghdad. 
 
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Pakistani Embassy Makes Do with Private Security 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
4. (C) Irfan Shawkat, Third Secretary at the Embassy of 
Pakistan in Baghdad, told PolOff July 6 that the Pakistani 
Ambassador has a private security company protecting him.  In 
addition, Iraqi security forces (ISF) are providing some 
support to protect the embassy itself, but not the diplomats. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Lebanese Comments 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
5. (C) Lebanese DCM Hasan Hijazi, who has been in Iraq since 
2001, strongly condemned the recent attack on the Bahraini 
and Pakistani Ambassadors.  He also wished for the Egyptian 
Ambassador's prompt release and safe return to his family. 
Hijazi said the purpose behind these attacks and kidnappings 
is to undermine the new government and to intimidate other 
diplomatic missions in Iraq.  When asked to describe the 
current situation, Hijazi said, "Very dangerous; everyone is 
afraid to venture into the 'Red Zone' these days."  Hijazi 
has halted all "Red Zone" moves and is not leaving his 
embassy.  Hijazi added that his embassy has its own security 
and the Iraqi government has provided additional security 
personnel. 
 
6. (C) To Hijazi, Iraqi security was not adequately 
qualified, however.  "Quality not quantity is what matters 
when the insurgents are attacking with heavy arms and 
personnel," opined Hijazi.  Asked what plans the Lebanese 
Embassy has if the security situation worsens, he replied 
they have no plans to close the embassy, that the matter 
required further discussion in Beirut and other Arab nations 
capitals. 
 
----------------------------- 
Syrian Embassy Has No Comment 
----------------------------- 
 
7. (C) A Syrian Embassy employee who answered the MCI phone 
registered to a Abdul Hakeem Sy Ali was reluctant to discuss 
the incidents, replying that the Syrian Embassy has no oral 
or written comment on the events.  He then promptly hung up. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
UAE Embassy Believes Al-Qaeda Behind the Actions 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
8. (C) United Arab Emirates:  Ambassador Ali Alkabi told 
PolOff July 6 that these attacks are normal in a war zone. 
He believes al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in Iraq are 
behind these acts.  However, Alkabi attributed the kidnapping 
of the Egyptian ambassador and the assassination attempt on 
the Bahraini ambassador to their own security negligence. 
Alkabi noted that the Egyptian and Bahraini diplomats 
constantly travel into the "Red Zone" without appropriate 
security personnel or protection, which makes them easy 
targets.  He added that increased attacks on the diplomatic 
missions are "to pressure their relationships with the Iraqi 
government." 
 
9. (C) Alkabi said the UAE has improved its embassy's 
security measures and they have had no problems with the 
Iraqi army or Iraqi security forces.  Alkabi noted that other 
missions should be more careful, avoid unnecessary travel, 
cooperate and coordinate with the Iraqi army and security 
forces.  The Ambassador said he has no plans to reduce his 
embassy staff at the moment.  Alkabi opined that, in general, 
the security situation in Iraq has improved significantly. 
Due to the recent Sword and Lightening operations, terrorist 
now feel more desperate and pressured. 
 
10. (C) Tunisia:  PolOff spoke with the Embassy's Advisor for 
Consular Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Kahlool, who has been living 
in Iraq for seven years.  He said he is accustomed to the 
current situation and this is "very normal" in Iraq.  He 
suggested that the main question terrorists are targeting 
only heads of missions instead of the employees is because 
they are pressuring Arab missions to stop supporting the 
Iraqi government and it fails.  Kahlool added that the 
Bahraini and the Egyptians were easy targets.  As for the 
Tunisian Embassy, he said the Ministry of Interior provides 
adequate security protection.  That said, diplomats have 
reduced their movements and staff are limited only to 
necessary moves.  The embassy has no plans to reduce its 
staff, he said. 
 
11. (U) REO HILLA, REO BASRA, REO MOSUL, and REO KIRKUK, 
minimize considered. 
Satterfield