C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003145

SIPDIS

NOFORN
CENTCOM FOR POLAD - AMB HOLZMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AGREES ON SUNNI INCLUSION,
PRESSES FOR RESULTS ON KIRKUK

REF: BAGHDAD 3120

Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford.
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Ambassador stressed to Deputy Prime
Minister Rowsch Shaways on July 28 the importance of
meeting the August 15 deadline for the constitution
and the necessity of holding elections in December.
Shaways accepted Ambassador's argument that Sunni
participation was key to the process of drafting the
constitution but warned that the Iraqi Government and
U.S. need to work closely together to isolate the
terrorists from the "good Sunnis." He then called on
the U.S. to pressure Jafari's government to implement
Article 58 of the TAL on Kirkuk. Shaways also noted
that Jafari's government had failed to provide basic
needs for the country and blamed it for refusing to
delegate responsibilities even when it was clear the
Government was not fulfilling its duties. END SUMMARY.

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Meeting Constitution Timetables
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2. (C/NF) Ambassador stressed to Deputy Prime Minister
Rowsch Shaways on July 28 the importance of meeting
the August 15 deadline for the constitution and the
necessity of holding elections in December as
scheduled. As the eyes of the world are on Iraq, he
said, it is critical that human and women's rights are
protected. Everyone should be included in the
political process, he said, and he is personally
committed to bringing KDP leader Massoud Barzani to
Baghdad to ensure that the Kurds are fully engaged.
Ambassador suggested holding a meeting with the
leaders of all the major groups to discuss compromises
but emphasized that no one would get 100 percent of
what he wanted.


3. (C/NF) Shaways agreed that Sunni Arab participation
is key to the process of drafting the constitution but
warned that the Iraqi Government and the U.S. must
work closely together to isolate the terrorists from
the "good Sunnis." While federalism, the role of
Islam, and human rights are all redlines for the
Kurds, the primary issue in Kurdistan is Kirkuk. He
pressed Ambassador to implement Article 58 of the TAL,
as the current Government is dragging its heels.

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Improving National Agencies
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4. (C/NF) Ambassador said the U.S. Government would be
working closely with Iraq to strengthen the quantity,
quality, and leadership of Iraq's institutions,
especially those concerning security. He focused on
improving the budget and pace of reconstruction
efforts, and stated that he would work with Deputy
Prime Minister Chalabi on these issues (reftel).


5. (C/NF) Shaways noted that Jafari's government had
failed to provide basic needs for the country, and
blamed it for refusing to delegate responsibilities
even when it was clear the Government was not
fulfilling its duties. He accused Jafari of filling
certain posts with members of certain parties,
regardless of ability. (COMMENT: This was clearly a
reference to Jafari's habit of appointing his Shia
Islamists to key positions. END COMMENT.)


6. (U) REO Hillah, REO Basrah, REO Mosul, and REO
Kirkuk, minimize considered.

Khalilzad