[lit-ideas] Iraqi problems caused by Iran (2)
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Lit-Ideas" <Lit-Ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2006 08:50:45 -0800
4. Bankrolling organized anti-Coalition militias now active within Iraq.
Most prominently, Iran is known to have provided major funding to firebrand
Shi-ite cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr's Al-Mahdi Army - enabling the radical
militia to continue to menace Coalition military forces. Additional
financial support from Tehran has also gone to the SCIRIs semi-autonomous
armed militia, the Badr Organization. Iran is even said to have allocated
some $45 million to arm the military wings of Iraqi political parties.
5. Financing a large-scale media outreach designed to in Iraqi hearts and
minds. Directed in large part bv Pasdaran, Iran's efforts far outstrip the
public diplomacy being undertaken by the U.S. and its Coalition allies in
the former Ba'athist sgtate. As of November 2003, the U.S.-led Coalition
controlled one operational television station, two radio channels, and one
newspaper - compared with over forty Iranian-supported or directed broadcast
media outlets.
6. The recruitment of Iraqi Shi-ite cadres to foment political unrest at
Iran's direction. These activities include the formation of a cadre of
radicalized Iraqi youth to be mobilized against the country's nascent
democratic processes. Moreover, Iran is providing substantial incentives
for enlistment; according to one CIA report, Iran has offered 'a bounty on
U.S. forces of U.S. $2,000 for each helicopter shot down, $1,000 for each
tank destroyed, and $500 for each U.S. military personnel killed.' Much of
this recruitment is believed to be accomplished by providing bribes and
pay-offs to Shi-ite clerics in Iraq in exchange for promoting Iran's radical
message.
Lawrence
Cc: my friend in the Army Corps of Engineers presently located outside
Nasiriayah who may not know there is a $500 bounty on his head
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