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.

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CONTINUING FRUSTRATIONS WITH SUNNI LEADERSHIP
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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.

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UNSCR UPDATES AND SAUDI ENGAGEMENT IN THE
INTERNATIONAL COMPACT
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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