PESHMERGA PERSPECTIVE ON US SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004058

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER IR IZ
SUBJECT: PESHMERGA PERSPECTIVE ON US SUPPORT

Classified By: Political Counselor Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (U) This is a PRT-Erbil cable, and the first of three
from this source.


2. (C) Omar Othman (knows as Za'im Ali),the Kurdistan
Regional Government's Minister of Peshmerga (KDP - Kurdistan
Democratic Party) met Erbil IPAO to clarify Peshmerga and
party views on Kurdish-U.S. relations, the PKK, negotiations
with Baghdad, and freedom of the press. This cable addresses
Za'im Ali's request for U.S. support of Kurdish demands in
Iraq and the region.

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"A Second Israel - But Advocate of Palestinian Rights"
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3. (C) Omar Othman (known as Za'im Ali),the Kurdistan
Regional Government's (KRG) Minister of Peshmerga (KDP -
Kurdistan Democratic Party),compared the KRG to a 'second
Israel' because of its support of American policies and its
opposition to terrorism. He developed this concept, saying
that before 2003 the KRG got along well with 'the Arabs'
(other Arab countries),but that now the Arab world hates the
Kurds because the KRG supports the U.S.


4. (C) Za'im Ali said Kurds made sacrifices to stand by the
U.S. and now they are paying the price. However, he said the
case of the Palestinians also hurts the Kurds, because - like
the Kurds - the Palestinians are struggling for their
legitimate national rights. Za'im Ali stressed that the U.S.
should pay more attention to the Kurdish region in Iraq and
to Kurds throughout the Middle East. Kurds, he said, are
strong - they also have enemies.


5. (C) Za'im Ali described Iraqi Kurds as a branch of
American power in the region. Rhetorically, he asked, "If
there is fighting between Iran and the U.S., will the KRG not
intervene?" He continued, contending that the U.S. is the
government of Iraq, and if the border of Iraq is penetrated
by the Turks or Iranians, it is a penetration of the U.S.
itself and would require an American response. Za'im Ali
promised Kurdish military assistance to the U.S. in the rest
of Iraq. Specifically addressing Kirkuk, he boasted, "If the
U.S. transfers Kirkuk to use, within one week we can clear it
out and make it safe." COMMENT: The displacement of
non-Kurdish Iraqis from Kirkuk since 2003, as the Kurdish
population has aggressively increased, would only be
exacerbated by transferring security control of Kirkuk to the
Kurds. The future referendum on the status of Kirkuk would
then be even more significantly skewed toward an outcome that
would ensure Kurdish control over the disputed province. END
COMMENT.

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Kurds and Shia Against Saddam
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6. (C) Za'im Ali told IPAO that before 2003 Kurds and Shia
Arabs were united in their struggle against Saddam Hussein's
rule, and the KRG provided refuge for any Shia who were
persecuted in the south. Continuing, he said Shia political
power in Iraq now is due to Iranian pressure. More broadly,
he commented that 'the KRG is not like the UAE or Fallujah,
because they came to power through elections'. COMMENT: His
statements did not address issues of the Shia population
majority and proportional representation, but emphasized the
long-standing American-Kurdish relationship which he
considered should guarantee Kurdish dominance in Iraq. END
COMMENT.


7. (C) Za'im Ali said Arabs and Iranians are looking ahead
and planning strategically. He stressed repeatedly that
'time is not on the side of Iraq', because American public
opinion is changing and the U.S. military will be leaving
Iraq. He offered the KRG as a base for a continued American
military presence in the region. NOTE: This is an offer
integral to most U.S.- KRG conversations.

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Who's Afraid of the KRG?
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8. (C) Za'im Ali noted three issues that affect Kurds in
Iraq: First, pan-Arabism opposes an independent Kurdistan;
second, Iran fears a Kurdish national identity, especially

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its possible effect on Kurds in Iran; and third, Turkey -
which has the same fears, has already acted against the Kurds
and displaced many Kurds from along the border. This is
against human rights, he said, just like Israeli actions
against Palestinians. For the future, he said, American
support of Kurdish 'national rights' in the Middle East as a
whole is critical.

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Comment
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9. (C) Za'im Ali, a graduate of Baghdad Military Academy,
fought with the Kurdish Peshmerga for over 30 years. He has
been a KDP Politburo member since the 1980s, and has served
as KRG President Massoud Barzani's deputy for Peshmerga
Affairs. He was given the lead in resolving the
KDP/PUK/MNF-I issues, indicating a high level of trust from
Barzani. Za'im Ali takes a hard line on Peshmerga issues but
is more pragmatic on the political questions of Kirkuk and
independence. His more candid comments indicate a view that
sufficient Peshmerga troops, arms, and equipment make the
legal status of the KRG irrelevant, as the Kurdish government
will then be able to enforce its will without effective
opposition. He sees significant deeply-rooted divisions
between the KDP and the PUK in spite of the administrative
unification. He speaks little English, but is fluent in
Arabic and Kurdish. Za'im Ali is more comfortable and less
dogmatic with Western diplomats in a small group than in a
larger, formal meeting. He also appears more forthcoming
when not in the presence of the PUK.
KHALILZAD