SUNNI DEPUTY PM: THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003558

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IZ
SUBJECT: SUNNI DEPUTY PM: THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE
CONSTITUTION


Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.
4 (b) AND (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: At an August 29 meeting, Deputy Prime
Minister Abid Mutlak Al-Jaburi (a secular Sunni) thanked the
Ambassador for the U.S. role in the constitution drafting
process. He said that 90 percent of Iraqis would prefer to
live in a secular state, and expressed confidence that Sunnis
will participate in the upcoming elections. He asked for
U.S. support against "external influences" that threaten the
unity of Iraq. At the Ambassador's encouragement, Al-Jaburi
said he would consider making a supportive public statement
about the constitution, and would engage Shia and Kurdish
leaders directly on means to increase Sunni support for the
draft. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Deputy Prime Minister Al-Jaburi expressed appreciation
for the Ambassador's efforts in support of the constitution
drafting process. Al-Jaburi expressed his conviction that
the draft constitution is the best possible at this time. He
said the text represents a "midpoint" between different
views--Sunni and Shia, Kurds and Arabs, Christians and
Moslems. He joked that the Kurds probably got a better deal
than the other communities, but agreed that the purpose of a
constitution is to serve as a social contract, rather than a
"political platform". He pledged to cooperate with efforts
to promote the new draft's ratification. He said that he had
already shared points in support of the constitution, from
his August 28 meeting with PolCouns, with the Association of
Moslem Scholars, urging them to support Sunni political
engagement. He expressed confidence that Sunni participation
in the upcoming
elections will be high.


3. (C) Al-Jaburi said that 90 percent of Iraqis prefer a
secular, liberal state, and attributed the success of the
United Shia List in the January 2005 elections to Ayatollah
Sistani's support. He said he can support federalism, even
two entities--one Kurd, one Arab. However, he said, he
objects to federalism based on "sectarianism or racism." He
requested U.S. support for Iraqi unity, adding that "if you
want Iraqis to unite, keep away external influences."


4. (C) The Ambassador reaffirmed that the U.S. is committed
to a united Iraq, and views federalism as the best way to
keep the country together. He said that adjustments to the
Constitution remain possible prior to the referendum and
encouraged Al-Jaburi to engage Kurd and Shia leaders directly
on means to increase Sunni support for the draft and
participation in the political process.


5. (C) Al-Jaburi said that the Sunni community is "less
afraid now", adding that some Sunni tribes are actually
fighting insurgents. He welcomed the Coalition's August
24-27 release of 1,000 detainees from the Abu Ghraib prison
as a constructive signal to Sunnis. At the same time, he
asked the Ambassador for assistance with Sunni complaints
over Iraqi Security Forces and lack of adequate voter
registration facility access and security. He asked the
Ambassador to continue to encourage moderation among the Shia
and Kurds. In response to the Ambassador's request, he said
he would consider making a statement on the draft
Constitution encouraging Sunnis to take a constructive
approach to the new Constitution and avoid making emotional
statements.
Khalilzad