PM RAISES SUNNI LEADERSHIP, UNSCR AND

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004217 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS IZ SUBJECT: PM RAISES SUNNI LEADERSHIP, UNSCR AND INTERNATIONAL COMPACT WITH AMBASSADOR Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: In a November 4 meeting, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki discussed continuing concerns over the sincerity of Sunni cooperation within the GOI, specifically referring to their efforts towards reconciliation. The Ambassador raised UNSCR renewal, highlighting potential contradictions within the GOI letter. The PM promised to take the Ambassador's recommendations into consideration. Finally, the PM stated he has already signed a letter asking the Saudi Arabia to host the final preparatory meeting for the International Compact. END SUMMARY. -------------- CONTINUING FRUSTRATIONS WITH SUNNI LEADERSHIP -------------- ¶2. (S) The PM raised his continuing frustrations with Sunni leaders. They do not want to cooperate on reconciliation, he stated. For example, VP Tariq Al-Hashimi, still has not signed the Ramadan agreement from October 2. He then argued that Al-Hashimi and Adnan Al-Duleimi, CoR member and leader of the General Council of Iraqi People, were involved with death squad activities. Sunni parties, including IIP and the General Council of Iraqi People, were becoming militias, the PM warned. ¶3. (S) The Ambassador replied that perhaps part of the problem is that Al-Hashimi is not involved enough in GOI activities. The PM dismissed this statement, stating that the problem is that Al-Hashimi wants more control and more decision-making authority. The PM said he has taken repeated steps to include Al-Hashimi but his efforts have been rejected. According to the PM, Al-Hashimi chooses to engage with those who do not support the government. -------------- UNSCR UPDATES AND SAUDI ENGAGEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPACT -------------- ¶4. (S) The Ambassador raised potential contradictions he saw in the GOI UNSCR rollover letter. The GOI letter states that the GOI wants full control over Iraq's security, but at the same time requests a one year extension for MNF-I troops. The Ambassador explained he understood GOI desire for more authority. However, this needs to be balanced with the practical realities of training and empowering Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the continued need for MNF-I presence in Iraq. The PM promised to take these comments into consideration while the UNSCR renewal letter continues to be revised. The Ambassador than stated that he had been approached by the UK Ambassador who wants to take part in a working group looking at accelerating security transition from MNF-I to ISF. The USG has no objection to his inclusion, but feels the PM must make the final decision. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador ended the meeting recommending that the GOI approach Saudi Arabia about hosting the final meeting for the International Compact. The PM replied that he has already signed a letter to the Saudis on this issue. Speckhard