VZCZCXRO0521
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2417/01 2511531
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 081531Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4622
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002417 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR D, P, NEA/I/PM 
OSD FOR USDP FLOURNOY 
NSC FOR MPHEE, PVROOMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019 
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PTER MCAP PGOV INRPAZ EPET
EIND, SY, IR, IZ 
SUBJECT: CODEL LEVIN PROBES SECURITY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 2388 
 
Classified By: Political Military Minister Counselor Cameron Munter for 
 reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: As part of their September 3-4 visit to Iraq, 
Senators Levin, Reed, and Kaufman engaged Interior Minister 
Jawad Bolani and Defense Minister Abd al-Qadr al-Mufriji on 
Iraq's current security environment, conveying Washington's 
interest in Iraq's stability.  In separate meetings, the two 
Ministers noted that recent terrorist attacks had a greater 
impact on civilians, and they blamed foreign-based groups for 
providing training, weapons, and funds to local extremists. 
MOI Bolani said the GOI had arrested AQI-affiliated 
terrorists in connection with the August 19 bombings.  Both 
Ministers expressed confidence that the national elections in 
January 2010 would be a success.  Regarding Iraq's military 
needs, the Defense Minister voiced concern over tactical air 
defense, equipment, and intelligence capabilities.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
Fewer Terrorist Attacks with Greater Impact 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶2. (C)  Interior Minister Bolani greeted CODEL Levin warmly 
and thanked the American people for their sacrifice and help, 
particularly USG support to the police apparatus of Iraq.  In 
response to Senator Levin's questions on the security 
situation in Iraq and the August 19 bombing, Minister Bolani 
reflected on two major milestones: "We averted a civil war 
nearly caused by sectarian violence," he said.  Second, he 
said U.S. and Iraqi forces have worked together to end an 
insurgency.  Addressing the "criminal activity" of August 19, 
he noted that more stable states also face exposure to 
terrorist acts, citing the August 28 attack on Saudi Arabia's 
Deputy Defense Minister.  Minister Bolani said that 
terrorists in Iraq seemed recently capable of scoring 
"qualitatively" stronger hits, though the number of incidents 
had declined, because they have improved their tactics and 
can better reach targets.  In a separate meeting, the Defense 
Minister lamented, "Particularly over the last four years, we 
have seen an increase in operations that target civilians." 
Bolani shared that MOI had been collecting evidence and 
pursuing individuals in connection with the August 19 
bombings and had arrested AQI-affiliated individuals, 
including seven principals (reftel). 
 
GOI Hopeful for 2010 Elections 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶3. (C)  Both Ministers Mufriji and Bolani acknowledged that 
the GOI would face security challenges in the lead-up to the 
January 2010 parliamentary elections.  However, they 
expressed confidence that the government would facilitate 
functional elections, based on increased ISF capabilities and 
an elections security plan similar to that which was used in 
Iraq's successful January 2008 provincial elections.  Bolani 
argued that it was necessary for Iraq to "complete a law on 
elections because the Election Commission needs time to 
prepare itself." 
 
¶4. (C)  Looking forward, the Interior Minister said that 
there are four tracks along which the GOI can organize 
efforts to defeat terrorists: political, economic, social, 
and security.  The "Awakening Councils" are an example, he 
said, of success in the social track.  On the political 
Qsaid, of success in the social track.  On the political 
track, he said that Iraqis need to recognize that retaliation 
would only lead to more bloodshed, and that reconciliation 
was important.  Minister Bolani asserted that institutional 
development -- political, military, and social -- in Iraq had 
been impressive since 2003.  In particular, he claimed that 
the national justice system had made great strides in 
anti-corruption through effective purges and in preventing 
sectarianism by recruiting from diverse groups in Iraq. 
Minister Bolani also argued that the MOI had professionalized 
significantly, citing additional courses the MOI is offering 
on human rights, and, in the presence of  MNSTC-I Commanding 
General Helmick, he highlighted the strong support MOI had 
received from MNSTC-I. 
 
CODEL to MOD: What are Your Needs? 
 
BAGHDAD 00002417  002 OF 002 
 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶5. (C)  Defense Ministry officials are working closely with 
MNSTC-I to identify needs, and the process "makes me 
optimistic about the possibilities," said Minister Mufriji. 
In response, Levin reminded the Minister that he and his 
colleagues would be making decisions about military equipment 
that will remain in Iraq and that which the U.S. would send 
to Afghanistan.  Levin stressed that a timely submission of a 
list of prioritized needs would be critical.  "It will be 
ready in days," the Minister promised.  Allocations of funds 
for the air, navy, and armed forces remain a challenge, as 
civilian infrastructure is the GOI's first priority, 
according to the Defense Minister.  Oil, he said, could 
provide the income our country needs to fund its military. 
 
¶6. (C)  In response to Levin's question on what kind of 
support Iraq would need before U.S. Forces depart in 2011, 
the Defense Minister estimated that by 2011 Iraq would have 
its own navy capable of protecting Iraq's shoreline.  He 
hoped the air force would turn into a real tactical air 
defense one day, but said this was unlikely by 2011 at the 
current pace.  Training and equipment for the Iraqi air force 
would be critical, the Minister stressed, adding, "we rely 
completely on the U.S."  Also, the Minister noted that Iraq 
had serious equipment deficiencies, reminding his guests that 
Iraq was cut off from technological developments from 
1991-2003.  Finally, Minister Mufriji said that Iraq will 
still need military intelligence support after 2011. 
 
¶7. (C)  Minister Mufriji told CODEL Levin that Iraqi forces 
operated daily in coordination with U.S. forces throughout 
Iraq.  The operations are even more successful than before 
June 30, he noted, citing a major joint capture of an AQI 
financier in Mosul.  He hoped that a trilateral initiative 
among U.S., Iraqi and KRG forces would be underway in the 
near future, increasing security in the disputed areas in 
advance of the 2010 elections. 
 
"Deadly Politics" with Syria and Iran 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶8. (C)  The Defense and Interior Ministers singled out Iran 
and Syria for their roles in creating instability in Iraq. 
Bolani noted that "external intervention from neighboring 
countries is clear," as sources of instability and support 
for terrorism.  He added that Ba'athists from the defunct 
regime would like to see Iraq fail in its political 
development.  After similar points from the Defense Minister, 
Senator Levin asked, "Why then, did Syrian and Iranian 
leaders receive heroes' welcomes when they traveled to Iraq?" 
 "It's politics," the Minister responded.  "Sounds like 
deadly politics to me," Senator Levin replied. 
 
¶9. (U) CODEL Levin was unable to clear on this cable before 
their departure. 
FORD