IRAQI CONSTITUTION: INDIAN SUPPORT, BUT NO

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 006660

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM IZ IN
SUBJECT: IRAQI CONSTITUTION: INDIAN SUPPORT, BUT NO
STATEMENT

REF: STATE 158420

Classified By: A/DCM Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (U) This is an action request for NEA/I. Please see para

4.


2. (C) PolMilOff encouraged the GOI to make a public
statement in support of Iraq's efforts to draft a
constitution and delivered the Secretary's statement and fact
sheet (Reftel) during her meeting with MEA Deputy Secretary
(Americas) Santosh Jha on August 29. Jha stated that he did
not think the GOI planned to make a formal statement, but
would have a positive response if the issue were raised by
the media. (Note: As of today, the GOI has not commented
publicly on the Iraqi constitution via an official statement,
nor has the issue been raised in any GOI interactions with
the media.)


3. (C) PolMilOff also spoke to Iraqi Charge Muayad Hussain
on August 30 to inquire if the Iraqi embassy planned to do
any public outreach on Iraq's constitutional process. Iraqi
Charge said he did not want to do any outreach events until
he received a copy of the draft constitution. He noted that
Jamia Islamia University, the premier Muslim university in
India, had already contacted him about organizing a seminar
on the draft constitution, but he said he would defer until
he becomes familiar with the contents of the document.


4. (U) Action Request: If available, please email Post a
copy of the current draft constitution in Arabic and/or
English to pass to Iraqi Embassy. Slug for PolMilOff Stacy
Gilbert.


5. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http//www.state.sgov/p/sa/newdelhi)
MULFORD