IRAQI OFFICIAL BETRAYS U.S. CONFIDENCE TO IRAN

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003545 SIPDIS SIPDIS SECRET, NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016 TAGS: PHUM PINS PREL IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI OFFICIAL BETRAYS U.S. CONFIDENCE TO IRAN Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (a), (b),and (d). ¶1. (S/NOFORN) SUMMARY: It appears that Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials may be passing to Baghdad-based Iranian interlocutors' detailed and largely accurate accounts of conversations between U.S. diplomats and Iraqi Government officials. However, ORA cautions that insufficient evidence exists to prove, beyond a doubt, that this is the case. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S/NOFORN) During a September 18 meeting between Iraq-based Iranian exile terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) leadership and MNF-I Detainee Operations Commander Major General Jack GarQer, MEK leader Mojgan Parsei asked MG Gardner whether the USG was collaborating with the Iraqi and Iranian Governments to force the MEK members to leave Iraq within six months. (NOTE: to be reported septel.) When MG Gardner assured her this was not the case, Parsei expressed disbelief and produced a document which she claimed was an Iranian Foreign Ministry report detailing a September 2 conversation between the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Neighboring Countries Department Head Ambassador Taha Al-Abassi and U.S. embassy officers on the MEK situation. ¶3. (S/NOFORN) Parsei claimed that a MEK agent within the Government of Iran had passed her the summary. Parsei said the Iranian report had been based upon reporting from the Government of Iran's embassy in Baghdad. The MEK report correctly identified the date, subject, and attendees of the meeting. Its characterization of the discussion was not accurate, however, in implying that the United States was collaborating notes with Iraq to force the MEK to leave and allow Iraq t determine how to rid Iraq of the MEK. ¶4. (S/NOFORN) ORA comments that the MEK could have obtained its information from a variety of sources and that the MEK report should not be taken as evidence that Iraqi Foreign Ministry officials briefed the Iranians. SPECKHARD