VZCZCXRO7328
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #1432/01 1521233
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 011233Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3284
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001432 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PTER PINR KDEM IR IZ
SUBJECT: MAYSAN'S GOVERNOR PLEDGES SECURITY COOPERATION 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Chief John Fox for reasons for 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
¶1.  (U) This is a Maysan PRT reporting cable. 
 
¶2.  (C/REL MCFI) Summary: Meeting on May 27 with Colonel 
Newell, incoming Commander of the PRT's new partner Brigade 
Combat Team (BCT), Maysan Governor Mohammed Shi'a (Da'wa) 
expressed confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces' (ISF) 
ability to secure the province, but said he remained 
concerned about illicit arms trafficking across Maysan's 
porous border with Iran.  He requested additional USG 
assistance to assist border authorities.  Governor Mohammed 
also expressed interest in establishing a Provincial Joint 
Coordination Center (PJCC) in Amarah to facilitate ISF and 
Coalition Forces (CF) security cooperation.  Col. Newell 
asked the Governor to help remove any confusion that may 
arise regarding the continuing presence of U.S. troops after 
the June 30 deadline for withdrawal of all U.S. forces from 
Iraqi cities and towns.  The Governor credited CF for helping 
make security gains possible in the province, and pledged his 
continuing cooperation with the USG to promote stability and 
reconstruction in Maysan.  End Summary. 
 
A Governor Firmly in Charge 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (C/REL MCFI) On May 27, the PRT accompanied incoming 4th 
BCT/1st Armored Division (4/1 AD) Commander Colonel Newell 
and 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment (4-6) Commander 
Lieutenant Colonel Menist to meet Da'wa Governor Mohammed 
Shi'a at the Government Center in Amarah.  Governor Shi'a 
welcomed the commanders and thanked them for CF support to 
restore security in Maysan.  Stating that "our mission is a 
joint mission," Governor Mohammed said his administration is 
focused on security, and emphasized the important link 
between provincial security and the government's ability to 
attract desperately-needed foreign investment.  He also 
expressed interest in establishing a Provincial Joint 
Coordination Center (PJCC) in Amarah to facilitate security 
cooperation between the ISF and CF. 
 
Ongoing Concerns about Arms Smuggling 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C/REL MCFI) Governor Mohammed expressed confidence that 
the ISF has progressed to the point that it has the security 
situation in the province largely under control, and that 
U.S. patrols inside the city were no longer necessary, 
particularly in populated areas at night.  However, referring 
to unspecified intelligence, Governor Mohammed identified 
arms smuggling across Maysan's porous border with Iran as his 
number-one security concern.  He added that he believed most 
big caches of arms have already crossed over into the 
province.  He told Col. Newell that he believes current 
assets of the Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) in 
Maysan to be inadequate to meet current requirements, and 
requested CF assistance to augment DBE units.  Col. Newell 
said he would explore additional support, including possibly 
embedding more U.S. teams with the DBE.  Col. Newell also 
told the Governor that his BCT is planning to put more senior 
officers inside the IP training academy and initiate 
intelligence training programs. 
 
How to Mitigate Confusion about U.S. Presence after 30 June 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶5.  (C/REL MCFI) Col. Newell asked the Governor to actively 
help dispel any confusion that may arise regarding the 
continuing presence of U.S. troops after the 30 June deadline 
for withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraqi cities and 
towns.  He explained that, in addition to security oversight 
in the province and providing training assistance to the ISF, 
Qin the province and providing training assistance to the ISF, 
supporting the PRT is another primary BCT mission, and troops 
would be present for this purpose.  Governor Mohammed was in 
full agreement about the necessity of continuing cooperation 
with CF and the PRT and said he fully sanctioned those 
missions. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6.  (C/REL MCFI) After years of unpredictable, often prickly, 
engagements with Maysan's Sadrist leaders, it is refreshing 
to have an Iraqi partner in Governor Mohammed Shi'a, who is 
confident in his role and unabashed in his support for 
U.S.-Iraqi cooperation.  Col Newell's visit was an important 
relationship-building exercise between CF and the Maysani 
government.  Deep and abiding security cooperation, of the 
type discussed by Col. Newell and Governor Mohammed this 
week, will enable the ISF to build on the progress this 
province has made since June of last year.  The PRT's 
relationship with Governor Mohammed continues to improve 
 
BAGHDAD 00001432  002 OF 002 
 
 
through the many meetings we have had with him thus far. 
Additionally, most of the PRT's contacts attest to the new 
Governor's popularity.  Although clearly concerned by massive 
shortfalls in the 2009 provincial capital budget -- 
shortfalls exacerbated by the actions of the Governor's 
spendthrift predecessors -- Mohammed Shi'a appears 
comfortable with his duties and confident with his 
responsibility.  End Comment. 
HILL