Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD3976
2005-09-26 11:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
VP ADEL ABD AL-MAHDI UPBEAT WITH CODEL STEARNS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003976
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ECON EFIN ETRD IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADEL ABD AL-MAHDI UPBEAT WITH CODEL STEARNS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003976
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ECON EFIN ETRD IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADEL ABD AL-MAHDI UPBEAT WITH CODEL STEARNS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) VP Adel Abd al-Mahdi told CODEL Stearns September
24 that he expects the referendum to pass without problems.
He added that the U.S. had facilitated the negotiations but
it was an Iraqi product. In the end, it was the best that
could be produced, he said, even if he was not entirely happy
with it. Several Codel members promptly responded that if
none of the Iraqi negotiators was entirely happy with it the
draft constitution was probably a reasonable political deal.
Election Security
--------------
2. (C) Asked whether Iraq would need more troops to
safeguard the election process, Abd al-Mahdi doubted they
would be needed. He cautioned that ultimately this question
would be a decision for MNF-I CG Casey. Abd al-Mahdi noted
that he lives in the Red Zone and many other government
officials do so, including most members of the National
Assembly. Abd al-Mahdi said that he personally thought the
situation in much of the country was far better than the
media coverage would suggest. Moreover, Iraqi security
forces are improving steadily.
Iraq,s Economy Improves
--------------
3. (SBU) Abd al-Mahdi said he perceived the economic
situation was slowly improving, especially for small
business. He stressed that trade has tremendously helped the
local economy. Iraq's currency remains stable, he observed,
and although he was not satisfied with Iraq,s stock market,
he thought it would develop in time. Abd al-Mahdi's Senior
Advisor Zuhair Humadi reported that the GOI is contemplating
the establishment of a think tank to address banking,
investment and commercial legislation tailored to Iraq,s
needs. Both Abd al-Mahdi and Humadi underlined that the
banking system is an enormous obstacle to private sector
development. Even here, the VP noted, there is progress as
he pulled out an Iraqi-bank issued Visa card.
Khalilzad
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ECON EFIN ETRD IZ
SUBJECT: VP ADEL ABD AL-MAHDI UPBEAT WITH CODEL STEARNS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) VP Adel Abd al-Mahdi told CODEL Stearns September
24 that he expects the referendum to pass without problems.
He added that the U.S. had facilitated the negotiations but
it was an Iraqi product. In the end, it was the best that
could be produced, he said, even if he was not entirely happy
with it. Several Codel members promptly responded that if
none of the Iraqi negotiators was entirely happy with it the
draft constitution was probably a reasonable political deal.
Election Security
--------------
2. (C) Asked whether Iraq would need more troops to
safeguard the election process, Abd al-Mahdi doubted they
would be needed. He cautioned that ultimately this question
would be a decision for MNF-I CG Casey. Abd al-Mahdi noted
that he lives in the Red Zone and many other government
officials do so, including most members of the National
Assembly. Abd al-Mahdi said that he personally thought the
situation in much of the country was far better than the
media coverage would suggest. Moreover, Iraqi security
forces are improving steadily.
Iraq,s Economy Improves
--------------
3. (SBU) Abd al-Mahdi said he perceived the economic
situation was slowly improving, especially for small
business. He stressed that trade has tremendously helped the
local economy. Iraq's currency remains stable, he observed,
and although he was not satisfied with Iraq,s stock market,
he thought it would develop in time. Abd al-Mahdi's Senior
Advisor Zuhair Humadi reported that the GOI is contemplating
the establishment of a think tank to address banking,
investment and commercial legislation tailored to Iraq,s
needs. Both Abd al-Mahdi and Humadi underlined that the
banking system is an enormous obstacle to private sector
development. Even here, the VP noted, there is progress as
he pulled out an Iraqi-bank issued Visa card.
Khalilzad