COORDINATING USG POSTURE TOWARD PRESENCE AT GOJ

S E C R E T AMMAN 008545 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE. BAGHDAD ALSO PASS GEN. CASEY AND I MEF. BAGHDAD ALSO PASS MNF 1RAQ CG DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/I RONALD SCHLICHER. FROM CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. DAVID HALE. E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2014 TAGS: PREL IZ JO SUBJECT: COORDINATING USG POSTURE TOWARD PRESENCE AT GOJ CONFERENCE ON IRAQ Classified By: CDA David Hale, for reasons 1.5 (b and d) ¶1. (S) We are picking up reports that King Abdullah,s staff are inviting leading Sunni Iraqi personalities to Jordan for a conference, probably to be held in early November. As this event takes firmer shape, Embassy Amman will keep Department and our civilian and military colleagues in Iraq fully briefed. ¶2. (S) Once we have gained a better understanding from the GOJ of its plans, we will need to coordinate any and all USG contacts with the conference. If a U.S. presence of some sort in or on the margins of the conference is deemed desirable, we will need to coordinate in advance with the Jordanians as well as among the State Department, the military in Iraq, Embassy Baghdad, and Embassy Amman. Too many uncoordinated USG observers of the conference might create perceptions we would rather avoid. Using and respecting the country-clearance tool will ensure that no well-meaning but uncoordinated USG presence is attracted to the conference. ¶3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. HALE