VZCZCXRO3213
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHIHL #0050 1221708
ZNY SSSSS
P 011708Z MAY 08
FM REO HILLAH
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHIHL/REO HILLAH

S E C R E T HILLAH 000050 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/01/2018 
TAGS: IZ PGOV ECON
SUBJECT: NAJAF TRIBAL LEADERS CAUTION AGAINST ANBAR MODEL 
 
SUBJECT: TRIBES CAN PLAY A ROLE IN PUSHING YOUNG MEN AWAY FROM JAM 
 
¶1. (U)  This is a PRT Najaf Cable 
 
¶2.  (S):  Begin Summary:  In an April 28 meeting with Team 
Leader, Governor Asad Abu Gelal said the security situation in 
Najaf is not bad compared to other areas of Iraq despite the 
recent increase in tension between the GOI and Sadrists 
nationawide.  Abu Gelal noted the tribes can play a crucial role 
in curbing JAM strength, and advocated a targeted program of 
assistance to help win them away from the militias.  He offered 
to look into introducing Team Leader to key Sadrist leader Dr. 
Luwa' Smasim.  End Summary. 
 
Find Programming to Win the Tribal Youth Away from JAM 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (C)  When Team Leader asked the Governor (strictly protect) 
for his assessment of the security situation in Najaf since his 
return from Cairo and Amman, Governor Asad said it was not bad 
compared to other areas of the country.  He said he had a degree 
of confidence in political leaders from among the nationalist 
Sadrists he knows (and with whom he and others meet on occasion) 
in Najaf who put the interests of Iraq and Iraqis first and who 
were capable of forming a normal political party, abiding by the 
constitution and pursuing politics by peaceful means (Note: The 
Governor used the Arabic adjective "watani", meaning nationalist 
or patriotic, to describe this group.  End note).  However, he 
expressed concern about JAM, noting that he did not really know 
who they are.  He said in an impassioned tone to Team Leader, 
"the tribes could play a very real role in pushing their young 
men away from JAM."  However, he noted that it would be very 
beneficial to find even modest programming that would support 
the tribes.  He was forthright in noting that the GOI often did 
not yet have the capacity to deliver effective programming to 
the rural tribes.  Even limited assistance in fertilizer, seed, 
and effective agriculture business projects would convince 
tribal leaders that the GOI and U.S. were concerned about their 
issues.  The tribal leaders could then exert substantial 
pressure on their young men and deprive JAM of its support. 
With regard to the nationalist Sadrists, notwithstanding the 
bluster of their public statements, the Governor expressed the 
belief that they were capable of flexibility. 
 
Meeting Sadrists 
------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (S)  When Team Leader asked whether it made sense for the 
USG/the PRT to meet with Sadrists in Najaf and whether they 
would be willing to meet, the Governor responded by offering to 
approach former Sadrist Tourism Minister Dr. (dentistry) and 
current OMS Najaf political head Luwa' Smasim who he clearly 
knows through long-standing Najaf family connections and see 
whether he would be willing (and whether it would be safe for 
him) to meet Team Leader.  Comment: The Governor clearly 
believes that there is considerable potential for intra-Sadrist 
violence over the future direction of JAM.  We believe Governor 
Asad will follow up, when he feels the time is right.  End 
Comment. 
 
SIMMONS