Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09BAGHDAD3312, REGIONAL EMBASSY OFFICE HILLAH CLOSES; BABIL GOVERNOR FILLS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BAGHDAD3312.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BAGHDAD3312 2009-12-23 03:26 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Baghdad
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #3312/01 3570326
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230326Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5857
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003312 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLS PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: REGIONAL EMBASSY OFFICE HILLAH CLOSES; BABIL GOVERNOR FILLS 
SECURITY VOID 
 
REF:  BAGHDAD 3273 
 
1. (SBU) Summary and Comment:  The Regional Embassy Office (REO) 
Hillah handed over its facility in a former hotel building to 
representatives of the Ministries of Interior and Tourism on 
December 15 (reftel).   The GOI representatives appeared to 
disregard the PRT's briefing on security, operations, and the 
inventory of assets.  Amidst reports of disorder and possible 
unauthorized removal of the former REO's equipment, Babil Governor 
Salman al-Zarqani arrived, and ordered his personal security forces 
to secure the premises.  The Governor expressed frustration to 
PRTOffs that that Baghdad did not coordinate the handover with him. 
Despite his frustration the Governor convinced the Council of 
Ministers to cede control of the facility to the provincial 
government.  The PRT believes that a valuable opportunity to 
increase the economic value of the property by training Iraqi 
technical personnel in the proper operation of equipment left behind 
has been lost.  End Summary. 
 
GOVERNOR ZARQANI AFFRONTED BY TURNOVER PROCESS 
 
2. PRTOffs December 12 briefed Governor al-Zarqani about the 
handover of the REO facility to GOI control.  After the brief, the 
Governor expressed reservations about the property's security 
post-turnover and lamented that the PRT was not going to be present. 
 He appreciated the PRT's information and said that he had been told 
nothing by any central Ministry.  He intimated that the provincial 
government's exclusion from the turnover ceremony was a personal 
affront. (Note: The Governor has repeatedly complained to PRT about 
the USG's focus on Baghdad, to the detriment of supporting the 
authority of provincial governments.  End note.) 
 
GOI SENT NO TECHNICAL PERSONNEL ON ADVANCE TEAM 
 
3. According to U.S. military personnel from MND-S detailed to 
provide security for the turnover, an advance team from the 
Ministries of Interior and Tourism arrived from Baghdad several days 
before the turnover ceremony. However, none of the delegation 
members were engineers, administrative managers, or logistical 
experts.  The delegation toured the REO offices and looked at the 
desks, chairs, and air conditioners.  In addition, they focused on 
planning the turnover ceremony, but did not inventory nor inquire 
about operation of the generators, reverse osmosis water plant, or 
any other technical matters. 
 
INADEQUATE SECURITY COORDINATION 
 
4. A number of Iraqi uniformed personnel arrived concurrently with 
the advance delegation from Baghdad.  However, according to U.S. 
military present, none approached either U.S. soldiers or security 
personnel to coordinate security of the premises. 
 
MORE THAN 100 IRAQIS PARTICIPANTS IN THE TURNOVER 
 
5. More than 100 officials from Baghdad attended the handover 
ceremony.  No additional Iraqi security forces arrived for the 
ceremony to assist during the festivities.  Immediately following 
the 1130 AM exchange of documents between the American and Iraqi 
representatives that effectuated the turnover, U.S. military 
personnel, Embassy representatives, and remaining KBR personnel 
departed.  Although there have been reports of gunfire at the scene, 
U.S. personnel present state that they witnessed no celebratory 
shooting in the air by ISF; they do not know whether such shooting 
occurred after they left. 
 
GOVERNOR ADDRESSES LOOTING BY CHANGING SECURITY PERSONNEL 
 
7. On December 16, the Governor, Babil Chief of Police, and PRT 
Babil LES assigned as liaison to the Governor's office, traveled to 
the former REO to verify reports of looting.  According to PRT LES, 
there were few Iraqi national police at the site.  Upon arrival, the 
Qthere were few Iraqi national police at the site.  Upon arrival, the 
Governor saw an Iraqi national police lieutenant, allegedly in 
charge of security, carrying off six air conditioner units.  The 
Governor ordered the Babil provincial Police Chief to arrest the 
National Police Lieutenant, and then ordered the Police Chief to 
detail his most trusted police to guard the site. 
 
GOVERNOR CONVINCES COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO CEDE REO TO PROVINCE 
 
8. The PRT LES observed the Governor calling the Council of 
Ministers to complain about the handling of the former REO property 
and said he intended to conduct his own inventory. (Note: PRT 
briefed him about the existence of a LOGCAP-prepared 25,000 item 
inventory.  He said he did not have a copy of this document and 
resolved to do his own count.  End note.)  The Governor said that 
items he had requested to use for the benefit of Babil's citizens 
were being damaged and/or stolen. 
 
9. Governor Al-Zarqani has assumed security of the hotel. The 
watchtowers and perimeter control points are manned by 30 IP and 
 
supervised by a number of officers.  The Governor ordered the gates 
closed to everyone including local government officials.  The 
exception is for a logistics team from Babil tourism department 
supervised by the Governor's security officer Colonel Rahman. 
10. On December 17, as a result of the Governor's complaint, the 
Ministry of Tourism assured the Governor the hotel would be returned 
to the province.  The Governor told the PRT that his top priority is 
to reopen the road along the canal to ease the flow of traffic in 
Hillah.  Although he had hoped to have the road opened in time for 
the Ashura holiday, upon inspection he determined that it would take 
at least two months to make the road passable.  The PRT understands 
that the former REO will resume its function as a tourist 
accommodation, but exactly how and when remains unclear. 
 
11.  Comment: TV stations covering the turnover evidently focused on 
the turnover and did not report the looting.  Local media appears 
not to have covered the story.  PRT Babil local staff tells us that 
few citizens in Babil know that the turnover has even taken place. 
 
 
12.  Comment continued:  The handover of REO Babil illustrates poor 
coordination between Baghdad and provincial governments.  Despite 
the critical role of the Office of Receivership and central 
ministries in turnover of U.S. assets like the hotel, the GOI must 
include local stakeholders in planning early in the process and 
ensure proper security coordination. Without that coordination, 
security lapses were apparent.  Further, the GOI lost an opportunity 
to learn how to operate the technical equipment at the facility, 
because it did not cooperate with REO staff and contractors 
throughout the process. End Comment. 
 
FORD