US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3676

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003676 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015 
TAGS: ECON, ENRG, ASEC, PGOV, PINR, PINS, PTER, IZ, Energy Sector 
SUBJECT: NEW ELECTRICITY PROTECTION CHIEF TRYING TO CLEAN 
UP THE AGENCY 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DAVID SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) 
AND (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary: MG Sa'ad Hashim, Security Advisor to the 
Minister of Electricity, has begun working with MNF-I and 
Embassy counterparts to bring the Electricity Protection 
Security Service (EPSS) under ministerial control following 
the removal of the former chief, Faris al-Bayati, August 
22.  The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is investigating Faris 
and a number of his supporters, at least three of whom are 
known insurgents from Latifiyah.  Faris has since fled and 
his whereabouts are unknown.  End Summary. 
 
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Faris Out - At Last 
------------------- 
 
2. (C) Working closely with Ministry of Interior 
investigators, Minister of Electricity (ME) Dr. Muhsin 
Shalash on August 22 removed the head of the EPSS, Faris 
al-Bayati.  After being demoted (vice fired as reported in 
the press) almost a month earlier, yet refusing to 
relinquish his position, Faris reportedly left his 
headquarters office outside the Baghdad South Power Station 
for home.  When ME Shalash arrived with his newly-appointed 
security advisor MG Sa'ad Hashim to take overall control of 
the EPSS, approximately 25 Faris loyalists began a 
demonstration at EPSS HQ.  The Minister left the premises 
unharmed, and MoI forces were brought in to secure the safe 
departure of MG Hashim.  The ensuing scuffles resulted in 
some minor property damage, but no injuries. 
 
3. (C) ME Shalash told us that he had delayed moving 
against Faris to allow MoI time to build a legal case.  At 
least three EPSS members were, according to ME sources, on 
a list of known insurgents from Latifiyah wanted in 
connection with terrorist attacks.  ME sources claim that 
Faris has now fled with several million dollars in Ministry 
funds and is wanted by MoI for questioning.  Reports that a 
number of Faris supporters have been arrested remain 
unconfirmed, but Faris allies in the EPSS remain vocal in 
their criticism of their chief's removal.  MG Hashim said 
Faris has threatened him, making him fearful for his life 
and that of his family.  ME Shalash speculated that a 
series of media attacks against him in August (accusing the 
ME of, among other things, rape, and predicting his 
imminent removal from office) had, in fact, been part of a 
smear campaign orchestrated by Faris supporters.  Shalash 
said that he retained the full confidence of PM al-Ja'fari. 
 
---------------------- 
Imposing Order at EPSS 
---------------------- 
 
4. (C) Coalition Forces have begun meeting MG Hashim to 
help him firm up the minister's control over the EPSS, 
jointly developing an action plan to straighten out the 
books, and to identify and locate EPSS forces.  Although 
there are as many as 10,000 EPSS guards listed in the 
payroll, MG Hashim suspects the true number of his force is 
closer to 3,000.  He believes that the remaining 
"employees" only exist on paper to bilk the Ministry, with 
Faris and his supporters pocketing the cash. 
 
5. (C) MNF-I advisors have offered to help document each 
EPSS employee with a photo ID card, to include thumbprints 
and retinal scan recognition capabilities.  They will also 
assist MG Hashim to assess EPSS training levels and to 
conduct 
a complete equipment inventory.  MNF-I believes the EPSS 
forces are an ad hoc mix with varying training and skill 
levels that are not up to their assigned task of securing 
high value targets such as power plants and substations. 
MNF-I has developed a training package, currently under 
consideration, to upgrade EPSS capabilities. 
Satterfield