US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4853

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004853 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PNAT, PTER, PHUM, IZ, Security, Elections, Sunni Arab, Detainees 
SUBJECT: ADNAN DULAIMI ON WAYS TO END THE INSURGENCY 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Ford. 
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1. (C/REL UK) SUMMARY.  Adnan Dulaimi, in a meeting 
with UK Ambassador Patey and Poloff, proposed three 
measures to decrease insurgency violence against the 
Coalition.  He called for an immediate halt to 
Coalition military operations in Anbar, a large-scale 
release of prisoners before the election, and steps to 
ensure a fair election on December 15.  These steps 
would also ensure maximum Sunni Arab participation in 
the election.  Dulaimi was told that he must do more 
to stop insurgent activity in areas where he has 
influence and ensure that released detainees do not 
resume insurgent activity.  For its part, the 
Coalition would work to ensure a free election, and a 
thorough investigation of human rights abuses against 
Sunni Arabs.  Dulaimi asked for a return of weapons 
confiscated in a MNF-I raid of his home and for an 
armored vehicle for his security.  Ambassador Patey 
asked for a statement from Dulaimi calling for the 
release of the four Christian Peacemaker Team 
activists kidnapped on November 29.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C/REL UK) Sheykh Adnan Al-Dulaimi, head of the 
General Conference of the Iraqi People Party, running 
on the Sunni Arab Tawafoq Coalition, accompanied by 
party activists Hassan Al-Bazzaz and Hisan Al-Qaui, 
met with UK Ambassador William Patey and Poloff on 
December 3 to discuss ways to decrease violence in 
Iraq and encourage greater Sunni Arab participation in 
the December 15 elections.  Dulaimi, a critic of 
Coalition presence in Iraq, has significant influence 
in Anbar and his tribal region around Ramadi.  Dulaimi 
firmly laid down three "conditions" for reduced 
violence. 
 
Immediately Halt Coalition Military Actions 
------------------------------------------- 
 
3. (C) Following weeks of positive moves, Dulaimi 
denounced the new Coalition military campaigns in Hit, 
Ramadi and other areas in Anbar, saying that they are 
lowering his confidence in the utility of dialogue 
with the Coalition.  Dulaimi angrily demanded that the 
new military campaigns stop immediately.  Continuing 
them will discourage Sunni Arabs from participating in 
the election.  Ambassador Patey asked if Dulaimi can 
give assurances that there is no insurgent activity in 
these areas. 
 
4. (C) Poloff noted that following our good faith 
efforts on prisoner releases, the exposure of the 
Jadriyah MOI bunker, strong pressure on the IG to 
investigate human rights abuses, and a series of 
positive dialogues in Ramadi, we were disappointed to 
see the upsurge in violence in Ramadi.  He stressed 
the importance of Dulaimi and other Sunni Arab leaders 
accepting greater responsibility to end the violence. 
Dulaimi repeated that if the Coalition wants peace and 
partnership with the Sunnis, the Coalition attacks 
must stop. 
 
5. (C) Dulaimi became agitated and produced a series 
of binders stuffed with dozens of photos (many of 
which we ad seen before) of mutilated bodies of 
killed and tortured Sunni Arabs, - victims, said 
Dulaimi of the Iraqi Police.  Dulaimi was asked to 
provide details of extrajudicial killings, torture or 
locations of secret prisons so that the incidents are 
investigated.  Dulaimi ticked off a list of seven such 
alleged secret prisons run by the MOI.  Ambassador 
Patey said the locations would be investigated.  The 
Coalition was instrumental in pressuring the IG, a 
sovereign government, to set up a capable committee to 
investigate the secret prisons and if the committee 
does not do its job, "we will take direct action." 
Patey said that the Coalition would like the next 
government to set up a strong independent Human Rights 
Committee with an international element, perhaps the 
UN.  The UK can provide assistance in setting up such 
a body. 
 
Release Detainees 
----------------- 
 
6. (C) The second condition for reduced violence, said 
Dulaimi, was a large scale release of innocent 
detainees held by Coalition forces.  It was no good, 
said Dulaimi, to release 100 and arrest 200.  "No one 
is fooled." (Note: In fact, the number of current 
detainees, at around 16,000 is at the highest level of 
this year. End note.)  If the Coalition wants to build 
confidence with the Sunni Arab community, Dulaimi 
argued, it must release thousands of detainees before 
the election.  Poloff countered that the detainees 
being released are not innocent, just not being 
prosecuted.  The Sunni Arab community must do its part 
to ensure that once released, these people do not 
return to the insurgency. 
 
Provide for a Fair Election 
--------------------------- 
 
7. (C) Dulaimi said the final condition for reduced 
violence would be Coalition action to ensure a fair 
election.  Two IAC candidates have already been 
murdered and others are under threat.  Coalition 
forces have interfered in political party meetings. 
The Coalition must also ensure that there are 
international observers to prevent ballot stuffing. 
Ambassador Patey told Dulaimi that the Canadian 
organization International Mission for Iraqi Elections 
(IMIE) was arranging for some international observers 
and coordinating observer activity.  The EU would 
provide 12 experts for the election.  A key to a 
successful election is the wide use of political party 
observers, though care must be taken to avoid 
frivolous complaints.  Poloff asked that Dulaimi 
promptly notify us of any specific problem areas (e.g. 
security of polling sites, concern about 
transportation to polls, etc.) in the lead up to the 
election so that solutions can be found in time. 
 
We Won't be Your Spies 
---------------------- 
 
8. (C) Ambassador Patey asked Dulaimi to provide a 
list of local leaders in the areas of increased 
Coalition military activity that can be passed on to 
local commanders to find ways to ease the military 
presence.  In response, Dulaimi snapped that the 
Coalition forces know who to contact in the conflict 
areas - "we won't give you names, we won't be your 
spies."  Dulaimi said he needed protection, both from 
the insurgents and the Coalition forces.  Stop 
conducting house raids, Dulaimi demanded, stating that 
his own home in Baghdad was recently raided twice by 
MNF-I.  He asked that the 24 rifles and 3 pistols that 
were then confiscated be returned - they are needed to 
provide for his safety.  He also asked for an armored 
vehicle and weapons permits for his security detail. 
(Note: These requests will be discussed in the next 
Sunni Outreach Core Group meeting.  End Note.) 
 
Appeal for Help in Hostage Situation 
------------------------------------ 
 
9. (C) In closing, Ambassador Patey, noting that the 
Muslim Ulema Council had already done so, asked 
Dulaimi to consider issuing a call for the release of 
the four Christian Peacemaker Team Activists kidnapped 
in Baghdad on November 29. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
10. (C) The former head of the Sunni Arab Waqf, Adnan 
Dulaimi is one of the most important Sunni Arab 
leaders engaged in the election campaign.  His message 
reflects the ambivalence of a politician who opposes 
the Coalition presence on principle but who recognizes 
the U.S. role in promoting election fairness and 
addressing MOI human rights abuses. 
KHALILZAD