IRAQI PM ALLAWI'S VISIT WITH THE EU: EUROPEAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 004768

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2014
TAGS: PREL EAID MOPS IZ EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: IRAQI PM ALLAWI'S VISIT WITH THE EU: EUROPEAN
COUNCIL CONFIRMS PACKAGE OF ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ

REF: USEU BRUSSELS 4702

Classified By: Rick Holtzapple, PolOff, Reasons 1.4 B/D


1. (C) According to a Council source who attended the
November 5 luncheon between the EU Heads of State and
Government (the European Council) and Iraqi PM Allawi, the
lunch went quite well, despite some hiccups over comments
made by Allawi to the press the previous day calling some
European countries "spectators." Nothing unexpected was said
at the lunch, and no new decisions were made. The European
Council earlier in the day had confirmed without change the
EU's package of assistance for Iraq approved by EUFMs on Nov.
2 (REFTEL). The general tenor of the discussion around the
table was that, while the EU had been clearly divided over
Iraq in the past, and continued to have differing opinions
about military involvement there, they all had an interest in
Iraq's stability, and were willing to make a contribution.
(NOTE: President Chirac was the only major EU leader not in
attendance, but told the press before he left Brussels prior
to the lunch that he had "never refused" to meet Allawi, had
seen him at the G8 Summit in June. Chirac did comment that
Allawi "sometimes says things that are more or less
appreciated", but Chirac would see Allawi again "with
pleasure." END NOTE.) According to our contact, French FM
Barnier, who attended the lunch for France, spoke up
repeatedly to note to Allawi that France is not just a
spectator in Iraq, but is an actor that is engaged in trying
to promote Iraq's stability.


2. (U) In a subsequent press conference, Allawi stressed that
Iraq had received "unanimous support" from the EU for its
stabilization and reconstruction, and that the purpose of his
visit to Brussels, to both the EU and NATO, had been to "plug
Iraq back into the international community." He denied he
had ever called the Europeans "spectators", noting that
European states had hosted Iraqi dissidents during Saddam's
era. Asked about the situation in Falluja, Allawi said the
IIG was determined to "liberate the people there from the
terrorists and insurgents" but that "the window is closing
for a peaceful settlement" and if none can be find, "we will
have to bring the insurgents to justice."


3. (U) Asked about the recent announcements by EU members
such as Hungary and the Netherlands that they would withdraw
their troops in 2005, Allawi responded that he respected
every country's right to make its own decisions about its
troops. But, he added, Iraq continues to face big security
challenges and an early decrease in the international
presence would increase the risks Iraq faces. Iraq would
continue to need help from international forces until Iraqi
forces are capable of dealing with the threats by themselves.

SCHNABEL