Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD2238
2006-06-27 06:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

EU TROIKA QUESTIONS URGENCY OF IRAQ COMPACT

Tags:  PGOV ECON EAID PREL PINR IZ EUN IR GCC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHGB #2238/01 1780601
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 270601Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5382
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002238 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAID PREL PINR IZ EUN IR GCC
SUBJECT: EU TROIKA QUESTIONS URGENCY OF IRAQ COMPACT


Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002238

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAID PREL PINR IZ EUN IR GCC
SUBJECT: EU TROIKA QUESTIONS URGENCY OF IRAQ COMPACT


Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and A/DCM Speckhard met June 24
with an EU Troika delegation (participants listed para 10) to
discuss EU policy toward Iraq, particularly with regard to
the Compact process. The EU delegation expressed the EU's
desire that the Compact be more than "just a pledging
exercise," preferring a broader approach toward reform. The
EU believes that backing from Gulf states would be key and
that it would take time to bring them on board. The
delegation said that the EU could offer lawyers to help Iraq
with constitutional review, but the U.S. would have to
encourage the Iraqis to accept them. The EU is unwilling at
this time to send personnel to PRTs, and the Commission
representative implied that the EU would have a difficult
time in increasing the amount of EU assistance. Austrian MFA
Political Director Mayr-Harting also expressed skepticism
that the GOI could move forward quickly on its end of the
Compact. END SUMMARY.

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INTERNATIONAL COMPACT/EU ASSISTANCE
--------------


2. (C) Ambassador and A/DCM Speckhard met June 24 with an EU
Troika delegation to discuss EU policy toward Iraq,
particularly with regard to the Compact process Austrian MFA
Political Director Mayr-Harting said that the EU does not
have an agreed position on the Compact process, particularly
on timing. It is important that the Compact not be just a
pledging exercise that is measured by how much money it
brings, Mayr-Harting said. Instead, he explained that the EU
prefers a broader approach and that backing from the Gulf
states would be key and would take time.


3. (C) Mayr-Harting said that the EU could offer lawyers to
help Iraq with constitutional review, but the U.S. would have
to encourage the Iraqis to accept them. Constitutional
review did not seem to be a priority with the Iraqis whom the
delegation had met, Mayr-Harting remarked. A/DCM responded
that the Iraqis still are organizing themselves and might be
open to assistance offers by mid-July. Mayr-Harting
recounted that the EU had been reluctant to include a
reference to PRTs in the U.S.-EU Summit Declaration; the EU
found it easier for the time being to support Iraq assistance
"from back home." The EU could offer assistance, especially
legal assistance, for national reconciliation.


4. (C) Commission Deputy PolDirector Lundin said that what
the Iraqis would promise in exchange for "carrots" from the
EU is important. Lundin said that the EU would raise its
representation in Baghdad to ambassadorial level and wants to
start negotiations with Iraq to set a contractual basis for
trade. For that, Lundin explained, the Iraqis need to form a
proper interministerial committee. The EU could offer
assistance in rule of law and the normal range of EU programs
-- from human rights to finance to customs. Lundin added
that the EU is interested in moving toward a more "normal"
assistance relationship. The EU is "not unhappy" with the
current level of EU support of 700 million euros, Lundin
noted.


5. (C) When A/DCM pointed out that Deputy PM Saleh is moving
ahead rapidly with its economic program and that the Compact
process needs to keep pace, Mayr-Harting responded that Saleh
is dynamic but would need to get the whole GOI moving.
Ambassador noted that the U.S. is helping the Iraqis to set
up a PM-led committee to oversee economic reform, similar to
the existing Ministerial Committee on National Security.
Mayr-Harting said that such a committee would serve as a good
interlocutor for the EU in negotiating a trade and investment
pact.

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FINNISH PRESIDENCY REPRESENTATION
--------------


6. (SBU) Finnish MFA DG Polho told PolOff that Finland would
work through the German Embassy in Baghdad since Finland has
not had any Finnish-based personnel in Baghdad since 1991.
(BIONOTE: Polho had been assigned to Baghdad in 1979-1981.
END BIONOTE.)


7. (U) EU delegation members included:

-- Amb. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Political Director, Austria MFA
-- Aapo Polho, Africa and Mideast Dept. DG, Finland MFA
-- Lars-Erik Lundin, Deputy Political Director, European
Commission
-- Christian Jouret, Director, EU Council Secretariat
-- Gudrun Harrer, Special Envoy of the Austrian EU-Presidency
in Iraq/Austrian Charge
-- Ana Gallo, EU Commission Delegation Charge

BAGHDAD 00002238 002 OF 002


-- Gunter Eisl, Counselor, Austrian Embassy
-- Karl Seyser, Counselor, Austrian Embassy
KHALILZAD