DPM AL-JABBURI VISIT TO THE U.S.: IRAN/IRAQ ENERGY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004035 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2015 TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV IR IZ SUBJECT: DPM AL-JABBURI VISIT TO THE U.S.: IRAN/IRAQ ENERGY AND POWERSHARING Classified By: Ecnomic Minister Counselor Tom Delare for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary and Action Request: Deputy Prime Minister Abd Mutlak al-Jabburi intends to visit the US in early October to discuss the Iraqi Constitution, human rights, security, and economic projects, particularly the Iraq-Iran oil pipeline proposal. Post requests guidance on potential ILSA infractions regarding energy transfers across the Iran-Iraq border. End Summary and Action Request. ¶2. (C) Deputy Prime Minister Abd Mutlak al-Jabburi is expected to visit the US in early October 2005. His office says he intends to discuss the Constitution, human rights, security, and economic projects, one of which is the Abadan oil pipeline to Iran. Al-Jabburi is a Sunni who is reportedly opposes construction of the pipeline. ¶3. (U) We note press reports September 25 that Iraqi Minister of Electricity Muhsin Shalash signed an agreement to increase electricity imports from Iran. It is not clear whether the deal will involve the construction of new electrical towers in both Iraq and Iran, or which country will be paying the initial construction costs. ¶4. (C) In light of al-Jabburi,s upcoming visit, Post requests guidance on possible ILSA infractions regarding energy transfers across the Iran-Iraq border, including both the expanding electrical imports from Iran to Iraq (the physical connection of transmission systems) and the implementation of agreements to ship Iraqi crude oil to Iran in exchange for refined oil products (the proposed Abadan pipeline). Khalilzad