VZCZCXRO1128
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3480 3071244
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021244Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0186
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003480 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: WASIT: DAWA COURTING TRIBAL SHEIKHS 
 
Classified By: PRT Team Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d 
) 
 
¶1. (U)  This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable. 
 
¶2. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU)  Summary: On October 18, Al Kut's 
Special Weapons and Tactics (KSWAT) leader Major Aziz hosted 
a meeting of tribal sheikhs from across Wasit Province. 
While nominally a security-related meeting set up by Aziz to 
gain tribal support for Iraqi Security Forces, the meeting, 
attended by over 150 tribal sheikhs, was also clearly 
organized to gain support for Prime Minister Maliki,s Dawa 
party in the upcoming Provincial elections.  Sheikh Numany, 
introduced as a Maliki advisor, explained that the PM backed 
the tribes, supported their traditional role in Iraqi 
society, and believed that they have a role in Iraq,s 
future.  This role would include a new Maliki proposal for a 
Tribal Congress at the national level.  This Tribal Congress 
would have an active participatory role in national 
government decisions, especially concerning agriculture.  End 
summary. 
 
KSWAT Seeks Support 
------------------ 
¶3. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU)   KSWAT is an Interior Ministry 
Police entity directly controlled from Baghdad and therefore 
not under the control of the Provincial Chief of Police, who 
was not represented at the meeting.   Major Aziz, whose KSWAT 
unit has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics, asked 
the tribal sheikhs to support KSWAT and the other Iraqi 
security forces in the province.  The sheikhs were provided a 
traditional meal, music, and gifts courtesy of Major Aziz. 
Speakers Support Maliki 
----------------------- 
¶4. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU)  Sheikh Mohammad Reda Abed Bedewy 
al-Numany, who is reported to be an old friend of Maliki from 
his exile days in Syria, opened the meeting with a pro-Maliki 
speech clearly designed to win tribal support for the Prime 
Minister.  Speaking of the need to organize the tribes, he 
warned the assembled tribal leaders not to be fooled by 
people who ask for tribal support but will not help them once 
in office.  Numany went on to ask the tribes to take their 
place in the leadership of the country and elaborated on a 
Maliki plan to create a Tribal Congress to help direct Iraq 
in the future.  He followed with a thinly veiled threat that 
if this uniting of the tribes behind the government failed it 
would spell the end for the tribes as their power would be 
eliminated by another unnamed government.  He further stated 
that the tribes must prove that they can lead in establishing 
security and peace and in the elections.  He finished the 
speech with a rhetorical question of "who leads the move for 
tribal support" and answered with "PM Maliki does."  Several 
Wasit tribal sheikhs also spoke, echoing the themes of tribal 
leadership, the need to vote in the provincial elections, and 
support for PM Maliki and the Interior Minister. 
¶5. (C //REL USA, ACGU)  Comment:  While KSWAT has been 
effective at suppressing anti-government and anti-coalition 
activities in Wasit, its tactics have often been seen by 
local people as heavy-handed.  In reaching out to the sheikhs 
Major Aziz is likely trying to repair his and his unit,s 
reputation and perhaps cement his standing with the 
traditional leaders of the province.  However, despite the 
overt security theme of the meeting, this gathering of tribal 
sheikhs was clearly used by Maliki supporters to try to win 
the support of Wasit,s traditional tribal leaders for Maliki 
and his party,s candidates in the provincial elections.  End 
comment. 
 
CROCKER