US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD3680

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003680 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2010 
TAGS: IZ, MCAP, MOPS, KISL, PINR, PREL, Security, Parliament 
SUBJECT: CODEL PENCE MEETS WITH MINDEF AND MININT 
 
 
Classified By: Political-Military Affairs Counselor David Litt for reas 
ons 1.4 (b), and (d) 
 
 1. (C) SUMMARY:  CODEL Pence and the Ambassador met with 
MinInt Jabr and MinDef Dulime.  Both Ministers presented 
their views on the positive development of Iraqi Security 
Forces (ISF) and gave a brief overview of the progress of 
their respective ministry forces.  Dulime predicted  that ISF 
could begin taking over significant security duties in 2007. 
In a query from the CODEL about external threats to Iraq, 
both replied that Iraq has "few good neighbors."  Condolences 
were expressed to the CODEL for the damage wrought by 
Hurricane Katrina, as was their gratitude for U.S. support to 
Iraq.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) In a cordial meeting on September 4 at MOI HQ, CODEL 
Pence and the Ambassador, accompanied by A/DCM, met with 
Iraqi Minister of Interior Baqir Jabr and Iraqi Minister of 
Defense Sadoun al-Dulime.  The CODEL consisted of Rep. Mike 
Pence (R-IN), Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Rep. Ed Case (D-HI), 
Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN), and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). 
As is standard ITG practice for formal government meetings, 
Jabr and Dulime spoke in Arabic through an interpreter, even 
though both are excellent English speakers. 
 
3. (U) Both Ministers commenced by expressing their 
condolences for the death and destruction caused by Hurricane 
Katrina.  They also expressed their gratitude for the U.S.'s 
strong and continued support to Iraq.  Jabr emphasized the 
Iraqi people were noting an improvement in  their lives since 
the fall of Saddam.  He also mentioned how new judges were 
being brought in to enhance the rule of law. 
 
ISF MAKING PROGRESS 
------------------- 
 
4. (C) Jabr and Dulime each gave an overview on the 
development of the forces within their respective ministries. 
 Both cautioned that the struggle against terrorism will 
continue to be a tough one.  Jabr described MOI's progress 
positively, but emphasized that they remained dependent on 
continued U.S. assistance if they were to be successful.  MOI 
was on its way to forming a 135,000-strong police force, 
consisting of 40 battalions, 28 of which have already been 
constituted.  (NOTE: There is no MNSTC-I plan to build an 
additional 12 battalions.  Jabr  may be adding border and 
highway patrol forces, both of which are organized as 
&battalions,8 but are not ground combat forces.) 
 
5. (C) Dulime was upbeat about MOD's future, commenting on 
the progress already made toward reaching 117 battalions.  He 
noted that 88 battalions were in place and engaging in 
operations.  Dulime asserted the military's main role is to 
combat terrorism.  Concurrently, they must respect basic 
human rights, be apolitical and address corruption at all 
levels.  Indirectly addressing the preponderance of Shia over 
Sunni in the military, he stated MOD is to be made up of all 
Iraqis, with no favoritism to any particular ethnic/religious 
group. 
 
6. (C) Turning to what he believed was the CODEL's main 
issue, Dulime spoke of when the U.S. could begin to draw down 
its troop strength in Iraq.  He asked for U.S. patience, 
claiming that by 2007 the ISF could begin operating at a 
level strong enough to allow U.S. troop withdrawal. 
According to Dulime, recruitment levels must reach the point 
where the Iraqi Army matches the current Coalition troop 
strength. (NOTE: MNSTC-I estimates that the Iraqi Army will 
be at full operational capability by the end of 2007. 
Significant U.S. troop reductions may be possible before then 
if political and economic development complements the growth 
of the ISF.  Current plans call for the MOD forces to number 
just under 106,000 when all are trained and equipped. 
Current MOD trained and equipped strength is approx. 86,000.) 
 He stated continued U.S. funds and resources were needed, 
adding that more in-country training of ISF could be done. 
Dulime advised that weaponry to combat an insurgency was the 
most required equipment, stressing the need for armored 
vehicles. 
 
ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD 
------------------ 
 
7. (C) The CODEL inquired about the Ministers' views on 
external threats to Iraq.  Both coyly avoided naming any 
particular country as a threat to Iraq, although Dulime 
quipped that Iraq had "few good neighbors."  They did state 
that most of Iraq's neighbors do not want Iraq to develop in 
a civilized way.  Dulime closed by saying that those 
countries that are now working against Iraq will one day pay 
a price. 
 
8. (U) The CODEL did not have an opportunity to clear this 
cable. 
Satterfield