VZCZCXRO3152
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3157/01 2401711
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 281711Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6531
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003157 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016 
TAGS: GPGOV PINS PNAT PREL PTER MOPS IZ
SUBJECT: MCNS AUGUST 21 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel V. Speckhard for Reasons 1.4 (b 
) and (d). 
 
¶1. (S//REL GBR AUS) SUMMARY: During the August 21 Ministerial 
Council on National Security, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki 
emphasized the importance of civil support for the Baghdad 
Security operations; called for the reform of the Facilities 
Protection Service; and approved Iraqi assumption of security 
control in Dhi Qar Province in September.  Maliki also 
ordered preparations for Iraq to take over responsibility for 
Abu Ghraib prison and reaffirmed his support for the new 
Security Committee in Basra.  The Foreign Minister raised 
allegations of improper coalition treatment of female Iraqi 
detainees.  Ministers discussed threat information and format 
for security discussion with the Council of Representatives. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
BAGHDAD SECURITY 
 
¶2. (S//REL GBR AUS) During the weekly briefing on Baghdad 
security, Maliki underlined that the military action must be 
complemented by vigorous Iraqi efforts to implement 
reconstruction projects.  Iraq will spend ten million dollars 
on clean-up and beautification, with the Ministry of Finance 
exempting Baghdad from some internal controls in order to 
facilitate obligation of funds, despite concern over 
corruption.  Maliki warned of friction with the Baghdad 
Provincial Council, as the Council insisted on setting 
spending priorities.  Maliki specified that the Planning 
Minister should take the lead in resolving these problems and 
pushing forward. 
 
¶3. (S//REL GBR AUS) Lieutenant General Fry underlined the 
importance of Iraqi leaders visiting Baghdad neighborhoods. 
He said that it is vital to reinforce military operations 
with civil action and coalition forces are ready to 
facilitate.  Fry suggested that an inter-ministerial group 
visit each newly cleared area to ensure that cleanup and 
reconstruction activities follow promptly on the heels of the 
military operation.  Integrated Baghdad security operations, 
could serve as a model for future operations in Ramadi and 
other areas, he concluded. 
 
¶4. (S//REL GBR AUS) Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh agreed 
that the Baghdad security operations offered lessons that 
needed to be studied and applied elsewhere.  Charge summed 
up: the Prime Minister and senior Iraqi officials need to 
show as much interest in civil activities as security 
operations.  He called for Ministers and deputies to visit 
communities to spur reconstruction and renewed economic 
activity.  The Iraqi people would respond positively to such 
efforts. 
 
FACILITIES PROTECTION SERVICE 
 
¶5. (S//REL GBR AUS) Maliki raised the need to reform the 
Facilities Protection Service.  He described the FPS as 
militia for government ministries.  The Prime Minister said 
he wanted to isolate bad elements of the FPS and form new 
units composed of vetted and trained members.  These units 
could be sent to useful assignments such as guarding 
pipelines, borders and power lines. 
 
¶6. (S//REL GBR AUS) Foreign Minister Zebari defended the FPS. 
 Why disrupt these units and the ministries they protect? 
Maliki responded by listing well-known problems: FPS is 
alleged to be responsible for murders and kidnappings; it has 
too many personnel; and it is plagued by absenteeism. 
 
DHI QAR READY FOR TRANSFER 
 
¶7. (S//REL GBR AUS) It was announced that Dhi Qar province is 
ready for the transfer of security responsibility to Iraq. 
The transfer will take place on September 24.  The ceremony 
would take place on the last workday before Ramadan, 
September 21. 
 
ABU GHRAIB 
 
¶8. (S//REL GBR AUS) Maliki said he wanted to ensure that the 
upcoming hand-over of Abu Ghraib prison to Iraqi control will 
go smoothly.  He instructed Minister of Defense Abdul Qader 
al-Mufraji to ensure that adequate Iraqi forces would be in 
place.  Abu Ghraib's important equipment must be protected, 
he cautioned. 
 
BASRA 
 
¶9. (S//REL GBR AUS) Maliki reinforced his support for the new 
 
BAGHDAD 00003157  002 OF 002 
 
 
Security Council in Basra.  He said that two senior Officials 
from Prime Minister's Office and National Security Council 
would be sent to Basra to assist in its work.  Maliki 
stressed that Iraqi military and police leaders in Basra must 
do everything possible to support the Joint Committee. 
 
ABUSE ALLEGATIONS 
 
¶10. (S//REL GBR AUS) Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said 
that he had been asked by the Minister of Human Rights to 
raise allegations that male U.S. soldiers had photographed 
four naked female Iraqi prisoners.  He said that the Ministry 
of Human Rights had prepared a report with photographs that 
could have explosive potential if it became public.  MNF-I's 
General Casey undertook to investigate the issue and report 
back, cautioning against treating unsubstantiated allegation 
as fact. 
 
THREAT INFORMATION 
 
¶11. (S//REL GBR AUS) Iraqi National Intelligence Service 
Director General Muhammad al-Shawani said the Muhajadin Shura 
Council planned to counter the Baghdad Security Operations 
with car bomb and suicide bomber attacks.  They would also 
attempt operations outside Baghdad and planned to attack the 
Haditha and Tharthar Dams.  If these dams were damaged, 
Rusafa and Sadr City could be inundated as in the 1954 Tigris 
flood.  Al Qaeda also planned to poison the Baghdad water 
supply.  Shawani also said insurgents intended to attack 
Najaf Shrines to incite Shia militia reprisals.  The MCNS 
agreed on the importance of receiving this intelligence and 
ensuring that adequate forces were protecting vulnerable 
sites and were put on alert. 
 
CONTACT WITH COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 
¶12. (S//REL GBR AUS) The Prime Minister suggested that an 
observer from Council Of Representatives' Defense and 
Security Committee be allowed to attend MCNS meeting, saying 
that he was responding to a proposal from the Council of 
Representatives.  The idea met with strong objections from 
most Ministers on Constitutional grounds, as well as reasons 
of operational security.  UK Ambassador Asquith suggested 
establishing a dialogue between Ministers and Council of 
Representatives members on security topics as an alternative. 
SPECKHARD