PRIME MINISTER MALIKI PLEASED WITH VISITS TO SAUDI

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002401 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2016 TAGS: PREL IZ KU AE SA SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER MALIKI PLEASED WITH VISITS TO SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT, AND UAE Classified By: Charge d,Affaires David Satterfield per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) During a July 8 meeting, Prime Minister Maliki told the Charge that he had been extremely well-received in his stops in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait and that overall he was very pleased with the results of these visits. He said that Kuwait had promised to establish relations at the ambassadorial level and would send an Ambassador to Baghdad within two weeks. The UAE promised that both an ambassador and the Foreign Minister would be in Baghdad within two weeks. Although the PM did not obtain such a promise from the Saudis, he did say his discussions with them were very constructive. He said he was optimistic after the trip. ¶2. (S) In response to the Charge's offer to help follow up these visits, Maliki accepted, noting that "they listen to you." Maliki asked that the U.S. continue to encourage the Gulf countries to help promote reconciliation in Iraq and to not allow the Gulf states' charitable contributions to Iraq fall into extremists' hands. He also asked that the Gulf states move forward quickly on establishing diplomatic relations with Iraq and that they be prepared to invest in Iraq through the International Compact. SATTERFIELD