Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD2314
2006-07-02 17:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO7076 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2314 1831727 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021727Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5467 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHWSR/WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002314
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ AL EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 107327
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002314
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ AL EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 107327
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Summary. On June 30, Pol/C delivered reftel demarche
to Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who acknowledged the USG
perspective, but said that after discussing the matter with
the Prime Minister, they have decided that he would attend
the Iraq Neighbors Conference in Tehran July 8-9. FM said
that plans for exchanging ambassadors with Syria will move
forward but slowly. FM indicated that he is seeking a
retirement waiver for Iraq's Ambassador-designate to Cairo.
Zebari reported that plans for the Arab League Conference are
underway. End Summary.
2. (C) On June 30, Pol/C delivered demarche (reftel) to FM
Zebari. Zebari said that he previously had spoken to Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki about the USG perspective on the
conference (based on the last demarche). Zebari reminded
PolOffs that he had already worked to delay the conference on
two previous occasions. He said a number of senior Iraqi
visitors to Tehran have made very clear Iraq's insistence
that Iran stop interfering in Iraqi affairs. Overall, he
said that he and the PM had concluded that it would be a
grave insult for Iraq's Foreign Minister not to attend.
Pol/C urged the FM to reconsider and to discuss this again
with the Prime Minister.
--------------
EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS WITH SYRIA AND EGYPT
--------------
3. (C) Zebari updated Pol/C on the decision for a
simultaneous exchange of ambassadors with Syria. He said
that he believed that Iraq was better off engaging the GOS
than not and would likely go forward, although he would
insist that the Syrians do a better job policing the border.
Zebari said that the PM was reluctant to go forward with
Syria because of its interference in Iraq and that the PM did
not want to re-establish ties and then have to break them off
if the interference increased or persisted. Zebari said that
the PM has postponed a final decision pending further
discussions, but then said he thought it important that the
entire Council of Ministers be involved in the decision on
this issue. Pol/C noted our history with Syria failing to
fulfill its promises to us and supported going slow to assess
Syrian behavior. Zebari claimed that Iraq would not be in a
hurry to exchange ambassadors.
4. (C) Zebari said that GOE has given its agrement on Deputy
Foreign Minister of Multi-lateral Affairs Hajj Hamoud Bidan
to be the Iraq's next Ambassador to Egypt. However, FM said
he must seek a waiver for Dr. Hamoud from the PM, because
Hamoud is beyond maximum retirement age.
5. (C) Zebari reported that plans for the Arab League are
moving forward and that Deputy Foreign Minister for Finance
and Administration Saad al-Hayani will attend the preparatory
meetings in Cairo. (Note: If a retirement extension is not
granted to Bidan, Hayani who is designated to be Iraq's next
Ambassador to Jordan will take Bidan's place in Cairo. End
Note) Zebari squashed rumors that the GOI was going to cancel
the conference. He said that if the conference is held,
Iraq's Arab League countries could no longer claim that the
GOI does not want to engage its neighbors.
Khalilzad
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ AL EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 107327
Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Summary. On June 30, Pol/C delivered reftel demarche
to Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who acknowledged the USG
perspective, but said that after discussing the matter with
the Prime Minister, they have decided that he would attend
the Iraq Neighbors Conference in Tehran July 8-9. FM said
that plans for exchanging ambassadors with Syria will move
forward but slowly. FM indicated that he is seeking a
retirement waiver for Iraq's Ambassador-designate to Cairo.
Zebari reported that plans for the Arab League Conference are
underway. End Summary.
2. (C) On June 30, Pol/C delivered demarche (reftel) to FM
Zebari. Zebari said that he previously had spoken to Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki about the USG perspective on the
conference (based on the last demarche). Zebari reminded
PolOffs that he had already worked to delay the conference on
two previous occasions. He said a number of senior Iraqi
visitors to Tehran have made very clear Iraq's insistence
that Iran stop interfering in Iraqi affairs. Overall, he
said that he and the PM had concluded that it would be a
grave insult for Iraq's Foreign Minister not to attend.
Pol/C urged the FM to reconsider and to discuss this again
with the Prime Minister.
--------------
EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS WITH SYRIA AND EGYPT
--------------
3. (C) Zebari updated Pol/C on the decision for a
simultaneous exchange of ambassadors with Syria. He said
that he believed that Iraq was better off engaging the GOS
than not and would likely go forward, although he would
insist that the Syrians do a better job policing the border.
Zebari said that the PM was reluctant to go forward with
Syria because of its interference in Iraq and that the PM did
not want to re-establish ties and then have to break them off
if the interference increased or persisted. Zebari said that
the PM has postponed a final decision pending further
discussions, but then said he thought it important that the
entire Council of Ministers be involved in the decision on
this issue. Pol/C noted our history with Syria failing to
fulfill its promises to us and supported going slow to assess
Syrian behavior. Zebari claimed that Iraq would not be in a
hurry to exchange ambassadors.
4. (C) Zebari said that GOE has given its agrement on Deputy
Foreign Minister of Multi-lateral Affairs Hajj Hamoud Bidan
to be the Iraq's next Ambassador to Egypt. However, FM said
he must seek a waiver for Dr. Hamoud from the PM, because
Hamoud is beyond maximum retirement age.
5. (C) Zebari reported that plans for the Arab League are
moving forward and that Deputy Foreign Minister for Finance
and Administration Saad al-Hayani will attend the preparatory
meetings in Cairo. (Note: If a retirement extension is not
granted to Bidan, Hayani who is designated to be Iraq's next
Ambassador to Jordan will take Bidan's place in Cairo. End
Note) Zebari squashed rumors that the GOI was going to cancel
the conference. He said that if the conference is held,
Iraq's Arab League countries could no longer claim that the
GOI does not want to engage its neighbors.
Khalilzad