FINAL TEXT OF BLAIR-MALIKI JOINT STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001685

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: RELEASE OF UK-IRAQ STATEMENT
TAGS: PREL UK IZ
SUBJECT: FINAL TEXT OF BLAIR-MALIKI JOINT STATEMENT


Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)
AND (D).


1. (C) The British Embassy provided post, Monday 0930 hrs
Baghdad time, the final version of the joint statement to be
issued by PM Blair and Maliki during the UK Prime Ministers
visit to Iraq.

2. (C) Begin text:
Joint statement about the visit of the UK Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister welcomed the formation of the
government of national unity as a major step towards
transforming Iraq into a democratic country. He also praised
the programme of the new government (attached) for its
commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting Iraq's
unity and national reconciliation, protecting and increasing
Iraq's sources of prosperity, and spending Iraq's resources
wisely and with integrity, for the benefit of all Iraqis.
The two Prime Ministers agreed that those who wish to promote
sectarian interests and violence must be given no space in
the new Iraq. The Iraqi Prime Minister stated his strong
opposition to sectarianism and racism in all its forms, and
his commitment to respecting the rights of women in all
fields, to reconciliation and to economic recovery.
The Iraqi Prime Minister stated his government's commitment
to a strong compact with the international community, with a
key role for the United Nations and the World Bank. His
government plans to set out a clear strategy for national
development explaining how the government,s objectives for
reconstruction will be met, and the assistance it will need
from friendly governments and international institutions.
Both governments also agreed to continue efforts to widen the
circle of countries that support Iraq's efforts towards
stability and security. In persuading others to make
available their support, the Iraqi government would provide a
compelling vision of the way ahead showing how international
assistance would complement its actions in pursuit of the
common goal of a stable Iraq at peace with its neighbours.
The two Prime Ministers discussed specifically how Iraq could
benefit from British experience in developing Iraq's oil and
agriculture resources. The Iraqi Prime Minister said that his
government's priorities would include the provision of
employment, health services, and education in those areas
that have suffered historically from neglect, and the
speeding up of the reconstruction of the electricity sector.
The two Prime Ministers agreed on the urgent necessity of
taking all steps to combat terrorism and violence and defeat
those who want to undermine Iraq's new democracy. The MNF is
in Iraq under UN resolution 1546 and will stay only as long
as the Iraqi government wishes it to. The MNF, for its part,
is committed to staying until the Iraqi government is
satisfied that Iraqi forces can take on the security
responsibility themselves. That is the objective timetable to
which Prime Minister Maliki referred in his speech yesterday.
The Iraqi government will, in the weeks ahead, work with the
MNF on the details of the transition to Iraqi control. The
Iraqiisation of security means that, as security
responsibility grows, so the MNF can over time reduce its
presence and focus instead on the role of helping train and
develop the Iraqi security forces.
In this context, the two Prime Ministers noted the growing
readiness of the Iraqi security forces to take responsibility
for the security needs of the Iraqi people, which was
demonstrated during the referendum on the constitution and
the December elections. Over 264,000 members of the Iraqi
Security Forces have now been trained and equipped. By the
end of 2006, the target of 325,000 should have been reached.
The two governments agreed that they looked forward to Iraqi
forces progressively taking on full responsibility for
security from the Multinational Forces in the cities and
provinces of Iraq, on the basis of conditions set out by the
Iraqi government to this end.
This would start in some provinces early in this government's
period of office, and over the next eighteen months, other
provinces and cities will follow. They anticipated that, by
the end of this year, responsibility for much of Iraq,s
territorial security should have been transferred to Iraqi
control.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the situation in Basra
and agreed to work closely on ensuring greater security and
stability there. Vice President Abdel-Mehdi has been asked
to take specific responsibility for improving the situation
there. A high level Iraqi delegation will visit Basra soon.
End text
KHALILZAD