RECONCILIATION MINISTER DISCUSSES CONFERENCE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004347

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: RECONCILIATION MINISTER DISCUSSES CONFERENCE,
CHALLENGES, AND RECENT TRAVELS

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On November 23 the Ambassador met Akram
al-Hakim, Minister of State for National Dialogue and
Reconciliation. They discussed obstacles to the
reconciliation process, the recent travels of a delegation
from the National Reconciliation Commission, the
recently-postponed political parties conference and the need
for a third-party broker to monitor agreements and
compromises. Al-Hakim noted that mistrust inhibits both the
GOI and Iraqi leaders outside the political process. The
Ambassador stated that reconciliation is key to Iraq's future
and offered his support to the Ministry. On November 24 the
Ministry informed emboffs that a preparatory political
parties conference will occur November 28 in Baghdad and a
larger conference including Iraqi leaders outside of the
political process will take place mid-December. End Summary.

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Defining the Ministry, Defining its Challenges
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2. (C) Minister of State for National Dialogue and
Reconciliation Akram al-Hakim (SCIRI) began the meeting
stating that his is "an important ministry with difficult
circumstances and limited options." He explained that the
Ministry coordinates with the High Commission for National
Reconciliation to accomplish three goals. First, he said,
there are the conferences which include the upcoming
political parties conference. Second, the Ministry works to
improve relations with political parties and brings the
various communities closer together. Finally, al-Hakim
concluded, the Ministry is actively working in Diyala
province trying to ease increasing sectarian tensions.


3. (C) When asked about problems the Ministry faces, al-Hakim
responded that as a State Ministry they do not have a budget.
Material support is always needed, he said, although this is
an easy problem to solve. The more pressing challenge,
according to al-Hakim, is that GOI officials and party bloc
leaders hesitate to make decisions especially as it relates
to concessions or compromises needed to move the
reconciliation process forward.


4. (C) Responding to the Ambassador's question concerning the
PM's commitment to reconciliation, al-Hakim asserted that the
PM supports his reconciliation "project," but he faces
conflicting pressures. While the PM believes in taking
action, his advisors, his cabinet and the political parties
have resisted taking action, effectively inhibiting him. The
PM hesitates because he fears reaction to decisions that do
not have broad support, al-Hakim continued. Encouraging the
political blocs to take action and increasing the "diversity
within the PM's staff" are the only things that can help the
situation, al-Hakim concluded.

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Encouraging Participation Within the Political Process
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5. (C) The Minister explained that he recently sent a
delegation consisting of his advisor, Saad Yousif
al-Muttalibi, and three Reconciliation Commission members to
Cairo, Amman and the UAE to meet with Iraqi groups outside of
the political process. The delegation's purpose was to
ensure broader participation at the political parties
conference, to include groups who have indicated a new
willingness to join the political process. The meetings were
good, al-Muttalibi said, and allowed these groups to share
"their true feelings." Their concerns, he said, include
federalism and the need to delay its implementation,
de-Baathification, militias and sharing Iraq's natural
resources.


6. (C) Al-Muttalibi stated that the Ministry and the
Commission are trying to create "a new reality" which
includes compromises and concessions from both the current
political leaders and those groups outside the political
process. There remains, however, significant mistrust
between both sides and unwillingness from either side to make
concessions. When asked whether representatives from these
groups, including former members of the Baath party, would
attend the political parties conference, the Minister and
al-Muttalibi agreed that it would be possible as long as
sufficient notice was given. Al-Hakim noted that former
Baathists could attend the conference as long as they did not
attend as Baath party representatives.

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Political Parties Conference: Delayed Again
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7. (C) Turning to the political parties conference, the
Ambassador asked when it will occur, noting that it has been
postponed three times. Al-Hakim responded that part of the
problem is that the conference's success depends on people
outside of Iraq attending. In order for them to attend, they
need sufficient notice. The Minister said that he met with
the PM on November 22 and set a date for next Tuesday,
November 28. The PM, however, will leave for Jordan, and it
had been hoped that the PM would actively participate at the
conference. Furthermore, al-Hakim continued, holding the
conference next Tuesday would not allow enough time for
Iraqis in Amman and the UAE to attend. When asked about
having the conference following the PM's trip to Amman,
al-Hakim replied that he will be accompanying SCIRI chairman
and head of the Shia coalition, Abdulaziz al-Hakim, on his
trip to the United States and will therefore not be available.


8. (C) On November 24, al-Muttalibi informed POLOFF that a
preparatory conference will occur November 28 in Baghdad.
Approximately 100 Council of Representatives (CoR) members,
GOI officials, and representatives from political parties not
currently in CoR will be invited. A larger political parties
conference including groups outside of Iraq and groups not
involved in the political process will occur in mid-December
when Minister al-Hakim returns from his trip.

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Building Trust Through a Third-Party Mediator
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9. (C) Commenting on the mistrust which exists between those
outside of the political process and GOI officials and
political party leaders, the Ambassador asked whether a third
party could intervene to act as a mediator or peace-broker.
Al-Hakim responded enthusiastically, although he seemed
uncertain as to who could perform this role. Commenting on
the benefits of having a third-party who could monitor
compromises and agreements, al-Hakim noted that the Syrian FM
offered to host a reconciliation conference and serve as a
mediator. It is "a bit early" for that, al-Hakim said.
(Note: In a separate conversation with poloff, al-Muttalibi
said that the Ministry is hoping Sweden could serve as a
potential mediator. He stated that the Ministry hopes to
receive a delegation from Sweden in the coming days and will
propose this idea. End Note).
KHALILZAD