DCM URGES FIJIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE COALITION

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003761

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: IZ FJ MOPS PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: DCM URGES FIJIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE COALITION

REF: A. SUVA 392


B. SUVA 352

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: During his October 6 meeting with Fijian
Home Affairs Minister Vosanibola, DCM urged Fiji to join the
Multinational Coalition in Iraq. When Vosanibola asked about
the possibility of a visit to Fiji by President Bush, the DCM
promised to refer the question to Washington. The DCM
provided Vosanibola with an overview of the political and
security situation in Iraq. In response to a question by
Vosanibola, the DCM said that that the UN was an enthusiastic
participant in and co-chair of the International Compact for
Iraq and that those assigned to the UN Assistance Mission in
Iraq (UNAMI) had a strong belief that the international
community had a responsibility to assist Iraq. END SUMMARY

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The Coalition
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2. (S/NF) During his October 6 meeting with DCM, Fijian Home
Affairs Minister Vosanibola said that Suva was reviewing its
earlier decision not to join the Coalition. The DCM strongly
urged Fijian participation in the Coalition, noting that
Fijian peacekeepers have an excellent international
reputation. He argued that while most Iraqis eventually want
the Coalition to leave, they understand that it is necessary
that it stay for now. He said that the Iraqi Security Forces
(ISF) are not ready to assume responsibility for the country;
moreover, the ISF lacks the public's trust. Acting Deputy
Pol-Mil Counselor added that the Coalition and GOI are
actively working to develop the ISF capabilities necessary
for Iraqi security self-reliance, but that this process will
take time. Until then, any assistance Fiji could give the
Coalition would be greatly appreciated. Vosanibola said that
he would also discuss this issue with Australia and the UK.

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Request for a POTUS Visit
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3. (S/NF) Vosanibola asked the DCM whether President Bush
might visit Fiji during any upcoming trips to the region,
such as to Australia. The DCM said that he was not the right
person to ask, but that he would be happy to pass the
question back to Washington.

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Political and Security Briefing
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4. (S/NF) Vosanibola asked the DCM for an overview of the
political and security situation in Iraq. The DCM said that
Iraq's political leadership was working to achieve movement
on a number of important issues, such as a hydrocarbon law,
before the end of the year. He said that PM Maliki had shown
himself to be a good administrator; nevertheless, his
government was new and would need time to fully establish
itself. The DCM said Maliki faced the challenge of needing
to keep his Shia political base happy.


5. (S/NF) The DCM briefed Vosanibola on the Baghdad Security
Plan (BSP),while noting that it would take up to six months
before we would be able to fully assess the plan's
effectiveness. The DCM reiterated that the ISF, and
particularly the police, did not yet have the capabilities
and professionalism they needed. The DCM said that the GOI
was concerned about interference from Iran and Syria, but had
improved relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States.

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UN Support
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6. (S/NF) Vosanibola asked about UN support for Iraq. The
DCM said that while he saw some nervousness coming out of New
York about the security situation, those assigned to the UN
Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) had a very strong belief
that the international community has a responsibility to
assist Iraq. The DCM also said that the UN was enthusiastic
about the prospects for the International Compact for Iraq;

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the Compact would be co-chaired by the UN and Iraq.
Vosanibola said that morale among Fijian troops assigned to
UNAMI was high; the DCM offered his condolences for the
recent death in Iraq of Gunner Samuela Vanua (ref a).
KHALILZAD