US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4916

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004916 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PHUM, PINS, PREL, PTER, IZ, Terrorism, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: PM JA'FARI TELLS CODEL HAGEL WAR ON TERROR IS MORE 
DANGEROUS THAN BIRD FLU 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND 
(D). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Ja'fari told 
Senator Charles Hagel, Senator Thomas Carper, Congresswoman 
Ellen Tauscher, and Ambassador in a December 2 meeting that 
Iraq has accomplished much in 2005, but much work needs to be 
done.  The most pressing problem, Ja'fari warned, is that 
terrorism in Iraq is spreading and is "more dangerous than 
bird flu."  More help is needed to build up ISF and IP so 
that they are capable of facing AIF on their own.  He also 
asked the U.S. to continue supporting capacity building 
efforts.  Agreeing with President Bush, Ja'fari said that 
early withdrawal of Coalition Forces would be a victory for 
AIF.  He reiterated his support for democracy and human 
rights, and said the abuse of detainees by Iraqi forces would 
not be tolerated.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) Ja'fari pointed out that numbers of IP and ISF have 
increased by 1/3 over the course of 2005, and said this is a 
major success for the Iraqi people.  Iraq is now 2/3 of the 
way toward its goal.  More help from the U.S. and its allies 
is needed, however, to build Iraq's capacity to secure 
itself.  "Any setbacks," Ja'fari said, "would be setbacks for 
Iraq, the Middle East, the United States, and democracy 
everywhere."  He admitted, however, that Iraq must work 
harder and be more serious about being able to stand on its 
own. 
 
3. (C) Ja'fari noted that Iraq,s experience with democracy 
is taking place in a region that does not have democratic 
traditions.  He expressed his hopes that Iraq,s experiences 
will have a positive impact on the region.  Iraq wants to 
work with all of its neighbors, he said, but does not want 
any to have undue influence in Iraq.  Speaking specifically 
about Iran, Ja'fari said that simply sharing the Shia faith 
does not mean that Iraqis want to be Iranian agents.  He 
compared the relationship between Iraq's Shia Arabs and 
Iranians to that of the Irish and Filipinos:  while both 
groups are predominantly Roman Catholic, this does not mean 
they necessarily share a special relationship. 
 
4. (C) Some of Iraq's neighbors, Ja'fari said, promote 
terrorism, either by lending support to Iraqi insurgents and 
criminals, or through interfering via foreign intelligence 
services.  Revanchists from the previous regime and suicide 
bombers also work to destabilize Iraq. 
 
5. (C) Ja'fari reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to human rights, 
saying that any abuse of detainees held by GOI would not be 
tolerated.  Upon hearing of prisoners abused by Iraqis, 
Ja'fari said he immediately set up a committee to investigate 
and find out if the problem is widespread.  Ja'fari said he 
expects the committee to present its findings to him soon 
KHALILZAD