IRAQI PRIME MINISTER UPBEAT TO CODEL FRIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003727 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI PRIME MINISTER UPBEAT TO CODEL FRIST REF: BAGHDAD 3693 Classified By: Ambassador Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: While not downplaying the security challenge facing Iraq, Prime Minister Maliki gave an upbeat assessment to CODEL Frist. He hailed the four point agreement announced October 2 (reftel) as a genuine effort by diverse political parties to work together on security and said that he would require militias to be dissolved by the end of the year. He noted that Iraqi security forces (ISF) were taking on increasing responsibilities and predicted that coalition forces could make significant withdrawals over the coming year. On the economic front, the Prime Minister pointed to the investment and oil laws under development and the 2007 budget under preparation as significant steps toward the realization of Iraq's economic potential. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) CODEL Frist met with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at the Prime Minister's office on October 3. Participants from the US side included Senator Frist, Senator Martinez, Ambassador Khalilzad, Mr. Erik Ueland, Mr. David Broome, Maj. Mark Sherkey, and PolOff. Participants from the Iraqi side included the Prime Minister, Tariq Abdullah, Sadiq al-Rikabi, and Ahmed al-Sadawi. -------------- --- Four-Point Agreement an Important Political Step -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Senator Frist congratulated the Prime Minister for drafting a four-point security agreement on October 2 between various political parties (reftel)(NOTE: The various endorsing parties are due to sign and swear to the agreement in a ceremony October 5 or 6. END NOTE). The Prime Minister noted that confronting terrorism and militias is "a continuing process and our most important challenge." He predicted a "great decline" in terrorism and sectarian killings following from the agreement. "What encourages me," the Prime Minister continued, "is that this agreement was developed based on the desires of the parties themselves." The Prime Minister stated firmly that militias had to be dissolved by December, noting that "there is no place for militias in a state." ¶4. (C) Senator Frist stressed the importance of clear benchmarks and milestones in maintaining public support in the U.S. for the country's efforts in Iraq. The Prime Minister agreed on the importance of clear indicators of progress, noting that "there has been great success and transformation even if the media is not showing it." He pointed to the increased readiness of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF),the handover of command from multinational forces (MNF) to Iraqis in several areas, and upcoming laws on foreign investment and the oil sector as important benchmarks. ¶5. (C) Senator Frist reiterated that the US is committed to supporting the Iraqi government "as long as it takes" but noted that there will be elections in the United States in November. He asked what the impact would be of a withdrawal of up to one-half of U.S. troops present in Iraq over the next year. The Prime Minister replied that MNF are training ISF according to plan and that a number of units are scheduled to be placed under ISF command in the near future. "I hope the multinational forces can hand over many of their military obligations to the Iraqi forces in the coming months," the Prime Minister continued. "After one year, with the rebuilding of the Iraqi forces, Iraqi forces will be able to control security, and MNF can decide whether to withdraw or stay in military bases." -------------- Services, the Budget, and the Government -------------- ¶6. (C) Expressing his conviction that provision of services was one of the best ways of developing a bond between government and citizens, Senator Martinez asked the Prime Minister for the prognosis for improving services in Iraq. Noting the magnitude of the challenge given the country's devastated infrastructure base, the Prime Minister replied that some progress had been made in providing services in stable areas, "though not at the level we want." He said that sizeable funds were ready to spend quickly in Anbar, Diyala, and Salah al-Din as soon as the security environment permitted. The Prime Minister reported that the 2007 budget would have a significant portion reserved for services, including approximately USD 6 billion that was going to be rolled over from 2006. Senator Frist noted that Congress had just passed a significant additional outlay of funds for Iraq BAGHDAD 00003727 002 OF 002 and Afghanistan, for which the Prime Minister expressed his thanks. ¶7. (C) Senator Frist then asked the Prime Minister whether the ministers in his government were working together positively. The Prime Minister wryly acknowledged that ministers were "tied to their parties as well as to the Prime Minister" and noted that the "quota system" had brought in "some unqualified ministers." The Prime Minister stated that, although he was thinking of making changes in his cabinet, he wanted to continue with the current group at present given the "tense environment." ¶8. (U) CODEL Frist did not have an opportunity to clear this cable before departing Baghdad. KHALILZAD