ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQI TRANSITIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000831 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2015 TAGS: PREL IZ TC SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQI TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT - DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 30179 Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Pol Chief delivered reftel points to MFA Assistant Under Secretary Tariq Al Haidan on February 22, stressing the importance of Iraq,s neighbors, such as the UAE, to publicly signal their willingness to work with the Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG). Al Haidan said the UAEG will support whoever is selected to the ITG. &Since we supported the idea of elections, we have to support the results,8 he said. &This is what we have to do since we believe in democracy.8 ¶2. (C) Al Haidan said the next two weeks would be a crucial time for Iraq to demonstrate how it is going to shape a representative government. &How much participation will be allowed from groups (referring to Sunnis) who did not participate in the elections?8 he asked. He urged the United States to play a larger role in bringing the Sunnis into the political process. &You must contact them; you must speak to them, whether directly, indirectly, or secretly.8 We will continue to draw on these points in our SIPDIS upcoming meetings, including during an expected weekend meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. ¶3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. SISON