Cablegate: Response to Request for Information On Security

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2981/01 3141402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101402Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5404

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002981

SIPDIS

FOR PM, NEA/I-PM, AND NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SECURITY
DIALOGUES

REF: STATE 112900

1. The answers below are keyed to the questions contained in
reftel.

2. Does the United States currently have an established
security dialogue with Iraq? (Please report on all
established or ad hoc dialogues of a pol-mil nature,
regardless of the terminology by which they are described
(including: strategic dialogues, security dialogues, pol-mil
working groups, security consultative mechanisms, or any
variation or combination of these terms). Furthermore, for
the sake of completeness, please detail any mechanisms or
dialogues that are purely military-to-military in nature, to
include military consultative discussions, scheduled
high-level defense engagements, and so forth.)

Yes. Continuous (from weekly to semiannually) and at levels
from the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Joint Force
Chief of Staff on down.

Under the U.S. ) Iraq Security Agreement, we participate in
the Joint Military Operations Coordinating Committee (JMOCC)
which contains the following four Joint Subcommittees:

meeting frequency

International Zone Security Transition
as needed (was weekly until

recently)
Military Operations, Training and Logistics Support as
needed
Vehicles, Vessels & Aircraft Movement as
needed (working groups

meet frequently)
Provincial Stability Assessment
monthly

We also participate under the SA in the Joint Committee (JC)
made up of the
following eight JSCs:

Agreed Facilities and Areas
semiannually (working groups

meet more frequently)
Entry & Exit
semiannually (working groups

meet more frequently)
Imports, Exports, Mail
semiannually (working groups

meet more frequently)
Jurisdiction
ad hoc
Claims
quarterly (working groups meet

frequently)
Surveillance & Airspace Control
quarterly
Frequency Management
monthly
Detainee Affairs
bimonthly

3. When was the dialogue or mechanism first established?
2003 for some dialogues. 1 Jan 2009 for the U.S. ) Iraq
Security Agreement.

4. By what means was it established?
Some requested by USG, others by GOI. The JSCs listed in
Paragraph 2 above were established upon entry-into-effect of
the U.S. ) Iraq Security Agreement.

5. Is the frequency of such meetings controlled through a
binding agreement, or is this dialogue regulated by an
informal understanding?
Informal understanding, but codified in the U.S. - Iraq
Security Agreement.

6. When did the group last meet? JC: 11 June 2009. JMOCC:
16 July 2009. JSC working groups meet continuously, some
weekly.

7. Does the USG or host government have a set schedule or
any general expectations regarding the frequency of this

exchange?
Yes, expectations are clear and mutual.

8. When is the next scheduled meeting? Continuous.

9. Does the USG or host government hold any expectations as
to the level of leadership hosting the exchange?
Yes. Leadership level firmly established for the JC, JMOCC,
and for each JSC. The JC is at the level of the Ambassador,
the Commanding General MNF-I, and the Minister of Interior.
The JMOCC is at the level of the Minister-Counselor for
Political-Military Affairs, the Commanding General MNF-I, and
the Minister of Defense. Ten of the JSCs are at the
general-officer level, and two are at the colonel (FS-1)
level.

10. PM would also be interested in post's brief, honest
assessment regarding the overall utility of the dialogue.
These dialogues are essential if we are to advance along the
path of helping Iraq become a sovereign, stable and
self-reliant nation on its way to becoming a strategic
partner of the U.S.

11. Are new issues frequently broached, or has the dialogue
devolved into a stagnant exchange of PowerPoint slides?
New issues are brought to table daily. Situation remains
dynamic

12. POC: Pol-Mil/Plans ) Chris O,Connor, IVG: 724-2854.

HILL

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