REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO GUIDANCE ON PLO CONTACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001171 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM OPDC PREF SMIG KPAL XF IS IZ SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO GUIDANCE ON PLO CONTACT REF: A. STATE 50417 ¶B. BAGHDAD 1153 AND PREVIOUS ¶C. Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Michael J. Adler, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Prior to receipt of ref A and the formation of the Hamas Government, Baghdad maintained an occasional, productive dialogue with Palestinian chief of mission Daleel al-Qasoos on matters pertaining to the Palestinian population in Iraq. We ceased any contact with al-Qasoos upon receipt of ref A. Subsequent developments (ref B) heighten the utility of resuming such dialogue to help avert a potential humanitarian crisis resulting from the possible mass flight of Palestinians to the international border. Qasoos would be an invaluable source of advice on the sorts of actions that could be taken to help prevent such a scenario. He has been in his current position since well before the Palestinian election. ¶2. (C) Action Request: Post requests that the Department grant Embassy Baghdad an exception to ref A guidance to allow our resumption of dialogue with Daleel al-Qasoos on humanitarian issues affecting Palestinians in Iraq. KHALILZAD