AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES UNSCR RENEWAL, ANBAR WITH PM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004111 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS IZ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES UNSCR RENEWAL, ANBAR WITH PM Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: In a November 1 meeting the Ambassador and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki focused on UNSCR 1546's extension, national reconciliation and progress in Anbar, recent statements to the press from Maliki's confidants, and a visit to Baghdad by KRG leadership. In a brief comment at the beginning of the meeting, the PM stated that violence in Iraq will escalate until November 5 when a verdict is expected in Saddam's Dujayl trial. For that reason, MOI and MOD have been tasked to present a plan showing additional security precautions they will take following the verdict's announcement. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- UNSCR Renewal: Final Letter to be Reviewed by PCNS on Saturday -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S) The Ambassador stated that Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari passed to the DCM on October 31 the latest version of the GOI letter requesting UNSCR 1546's renewal. The PM responded that he had agreed with Zebari's recommendation to update the letter to reflect the PM's October 25 conversation with President Bush. However, he had not seen the letter's most recent changes. The Council of Representatives has asked to approve the letter, according to the PM, but he would prefer to use the November 4, Policy Council for National Security (PCNS) meeting to solicit support from the party bloc leaders. The Ambassador asked the PM to review and comment on the most recent letter before the November 4 meeting. This way, the Ambassador said, any Washington comments can be given to the PM and discussed at the PCNS meeting. (Note: Following his meeting with the Ambassador, the PM met with National Security Advisor Mowafuk Rubai'e. Rubai'e called the Ambassador and requested an Arabic version of the letter so that the two of them could review the most recent changes together. End Note). -------------- -------------- Anbar and Reconciliation: Finding Unity, Hosting Conferences -------------- -------------- ¶3. (S) There is a two-step process to bring unity and stability to Anbar, the PM stated. First, they must "unify Anbar's provincial administration." Governor Ma'moun Al-Wani and the National Salvation Council led by Sattar Al-Rishawi are "ready to agree" on how to govern the province, the PM continued, and the GOI can provide legitimacy for this agreement "through an emergency law." It is only after unification has occurred that the second step of the process - increased security and increased financial resources - is possible, according to the PM. The PM explained he has just appointed a special committee which includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Rafi'a Al-Issawi, to develop a plan to review how Anbar is governed and provide recommendations for modifications based on Sattar's current role. Their initial report is due within a week and this report should be thoroughly reviewed before action is taken, the PM said. ¶4. (C) A planned November 8 conference in Ramadi for tribal leaders living in both Iraq and Jordan should be delayed, according to the PM. Not only will the GOI need to evaluate the report, but, the Ministry of State for Reconciliation and National Dialogue has postponed their political parties conference, originally scheduled for November 4, until mid-November. According to the PM, this is due to increased interest from Iraqis outside of the country in attending the conference. As a result, members of the National Reconciliation Commission have had to travel to Jordan, Syria, Egypt and the UAE to explain the conferences goals and encourage participation. It would be better, the PM opined, if the Anbar conference followed this conference. -------------- Press Reports on Recent USG-GOI Meetings -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador raised recent statements to the press made by "people close to the PM," including CoR member, Ali Al-Adib. These statements refer to meetings between USG and GOI officials in which Al-Adib was not present. In one example, the Ambassador explained, Al-Adib told the press that the USG had requested 72 hours to remove the checkpoints surrounding Sadr City and the PM had said no. The PM agreed that the USG had never requested 72 hours, and that this was a complete misinterpretation of the meeting. The PM stated that since his comments have been recently misunderstood and USG-GOI meetings reported on incorrectly, he will not give any interviews or make any statements until after the BAGHDAD 00004111 002 OF 002 November 7 U.S. elections. The Ambassador responded that he understands that the PM's supporters, such as Al-Adib, want the PM to appear stronger, but that it is unacceptable for people not in meetings to run to the press with a story that is untrue. -------------- -------------- Visit by KRG leaders to Baghdad, Relations with Turkey -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) The PM stated that the Minister of Oil, Dr. Husayn Shahristani was back in Baghdad and that it would be good if KRG leadership, including Massoud Barzani, visited Baghdad once President Talabani returns from his trip to Paris. The Ambassador strongly supported this idea and responded that since Talabani will not be traveling to Iran, he could be back in Iraq as early as November 5 and perhaps Barzani, Shahristani, and other senior GOI officials can meet in Baghdad soon after. ¶7. (C) The PM then said he would be traveling to Turkey on November 16 and asked about the current status of proposed trilateral talks between Turkey, the US and Iraq. The Ambassador responded that Turkey has concerns about members of Iraq's delegation and that the US is working with the GOT on this issue. The PM responded that while he understands the GOT's viewpoint, this is the time to "present real solutions." The PM reiterated his stance that there is "no room in Iraq" for the PKK unless they give up terrorism. KHALILZAD