ARAB LEAGUE OFFICIAL SAYS NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007324 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015 TAGS: PREL EG IZ SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE OFFICIAL SAYS NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION ACCEPTABLE TO AMR MOUSSA Classified By: ECPO Minister Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a meeting on other subjects (septel) with Arab League Chef de Cabinet Hishem Youssef September 19, the Charge raised Arab League resistance to the draft Iraqi constitution. The Charge noted that discussions in Iraq had resulted in changes to the wording of Article 3 dealing with Iraq's membership in the Arab League and Arab identity. Youssef said that AL Secretary General Amr Moussa had reviewed the new draft and "found it acceptable." In response to the Charge's question as to whether Moussa was now prepared to make public statements in support of the constitution, Youssef said Moussa would make a statement once the document was final and had been formally distributed. Youssef said this process seems to be taking considerable time. ¶2. (SBU) We will follow up with the Arab League as soon as we see the constitution has been released. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. JONES