FM ZEBARI BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON UNSCR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004238 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS UN IZ SUBJECT: FM ZEBARI BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON UNSCR EXTENSION REQUEST Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On November 14, FM Zebari informed the diplomatic corps that Iraq would formally request an extension of MNF-I's UN Security Council mandate. He said that the decision had been reached with broad support within the Iraqi political leadership after discussions with the Coalition on increasing Iraqi control over the security situation in the country. Referring to press speculation that there might be a change in the Coalition's approach to Iraq, Zebari said he doubted that there would be "revolutionary change." Zebari said outreach to Iraq's neighbors should be GOI led, adding that the GOI was already engaging Iran, Syria, and Turkey. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) In a November 14 briefing to the diplomatic corps, FM Zebari said the Iraqi leadership had taken the decision to formally request an extension of MNF-I's Security Council mandate. He said that the request would be made later the same day via a letter to the Security Council. While noting that the Council of Representatives might "discuss" the extension request at later date, Zebari stressed that the decision had already received broad support from the Iraqi political leadership. Zebari asked representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council for their support for the extension. ¶3. (C) Zebari said the decision to extend the mandate had been made following discussions with the Coalition on the GOI's desire to increase its control over the security situation in Iraq. He said the two sides had agreed to work toward the mutual goals of accelerating the training and equipping of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF),the transfer of provincial security to Iraqi authorities, and the transfer of operational control of the Iraqi Army to the GOI, as well as increasing coordination between the Multinational Forces and the ISF. ¶4. (C) Zebari dismissed press reports about the possibility of a change in the approach of the Coalition as "just speculation," adding that he doubted there would be "revolutionary change." Nevertheless, Zebari went on to say that change was normal and healthy and that the government would also need to change to meet its goals. ¶5. (C) Referring to suggestions that an increased diplomatic effort needed to be made to engage Iraq's neighbors, Zebari said that such efforts should be lead by the GOI. Noting that there was no shortage of such engagement, he said that the GOI had ongoing contacts with Tehran, that he had invited the Syrian FM to Baghdad, and that PM Maliki would soon travel to Turkey. Speckhard