Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD4361
2006-11-26 17:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

TALABANI, BARZANI, HASHIMI MEET TO DISCUSS

Tags:  PGOV PREL SA IQ 
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DE RUEHGB #4361/01 3301747
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 261747Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8199
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHWSR/WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004361 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA IQ
SUBJECT: TALABANI, BARZANI, HASHIMI MEET TO DISCUSS
MODERATE COALITION PARTICIPATION

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004361

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA IQ
SUBJECT: TALABANI, BARZANI, HASHIMI MEET TO DISCUSS
MODERATE COALITION PARTICIPATION

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani,
Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi, and Kurdistan Regional
Government President Masud Barzani gave the Ambassador a
readout of the November 24 PCNS meeting during a meeting on
November 25 to develop plans for a broad moderate coalition.
Hashimi said in today's meeting he was willing to work with
the U.S. to fight against terrorism provided the U.S.
protects Sunnis from Shia militias and unitary Iraqi security
forces that work with them. Hashimi agreed to draft a paper
on his expectations for the outcome of the PCNS to be
presented at a meeting that will include SCIRI leader Abd
al-Aziz al-Hakim and bring in the Prime Minister after
getting Hakim's blessing. The participants agreed that
Maliki should remain Prime Minister, and Talabani will delay
his trip to Iran until November 28. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
Government (Mis) Organization, Lack of Decision-making
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Talabani, Barzani, and Hashimi reported on the PCNS
meeting the night before. The meeting had focused on the
issues of violence and government performance in a direct and
frank exchange. They agreed the government has not
implemented an effective program because of a flawed
decision-making process and a lack of trust inside
institutions such as the Ministry of Interior and the
Ministry of Defense. Militias and terrorists have undermined
the government, they said. They agreed the lack of
organization in the government hinders the establishment of
clear objectives on key issues such as terrorism, militias,
and regional interference. The GOI needs a plan on security,
effectiveness of government, and what changes need to be made
to staffing and the government program. People in government
do not share the same goals and some are using government for
their own goals.


3. (C) Vice President Hashimi said if lack of trust is the
issue, if the Prime Minister does not trust the Sunnis,
Sunnis would be happy to leave the government. He said given

the GOI failure to reach decisions, it would be better to be
outside the government. He said, however, if Sunnis are
included in decision-making then they will share the burden
as well of confronting terrorists and extremists, but the
Shia must take responsibility for the militias.

--------------
Sunni Cooperation Contingent on U.S.
--------------


4. (C) In today's meeting Hashimi said he represents those
Sunnis willing to work against terrorism. His Iraqi Islamic
Party (IIP) thinks that killing U.S. soldiers is against
Sunni interests, and wants a partnership for building a
democratic Iraq. He said the U.S. military also needs a new
strategy to fight terror. It works poorly with locals and it
responds slowly. The two Kurdish leaders said the government
and the Coalition should be grateful that the IIP is willing
to take on AQI in Anbar.


5. (C) The Sunnis are willing to work with the U.S. in turn
and provide intelligence and people to fight the terrorists;
the U.S. in turn must protect Sunnis and support moderate
Sunni political leaders. He claimed he does not know what
the U.S. wants from the Sunnis. Hashimi said there must be
an understanding between the U.S. and the Sunnis on their
responsibilities. He said they need clarity on what the U.S.
wants and what they can do. The issue is the reform of
security institutions penetrated by JAM. Hashimi argued that
the U.S. needs to bring in more forces to protect Sunnis from
the Shia militias and the MOI and MOD units penetrated by
JAM. Participants agreed that JAM wants to be the Hizballah
of Iraq, and the GOI needs to deal with it now; otherwise,
JAM will become entrenched and an institutionalized
government within a government. Barzani and Talabani agreed
that, if asked, they could provide 30,000 peshmerga to
contribute to securing Baghdad. Hashimi said he would agree
to this if he is given specifics on their responsibilities in
order to prepare the public for their arrival.


6. (C) Barzani said he had never heard such a clear and
positive message and such a willingness to take
responsibility from Hashimi before. He urged the Shia to
cooperate by confronting the militias and penetrated security
forces.


BAGHDAD 00004361 002 OF 002



7. (C) The Ambassador told Hashimi there had been great
efforts to bring the Sunnis into the political process, but
it has not produced fruitful results. Hashimi replied this
was because those who fund the insurgents are calling the
shots. The Sunni insurgents get their money from two
sources: 1) Iran and Syria and 2) Arab businessman in the
Gulf states. The U.S. and Gulf states need an effective
strategy to buy off the insurgents. Using the military alone
is ineffective.

--------------
The Way Forward
--------------


8. (C) Hashimi agreed to draft a paper encapsulating his
proposal for the outcome of the PCNS meeting and how to deal
with Iraq's problems (SCIRI leader Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim is
also meeting to develop concepts and ideas; on November 26
they will meet to see if their two drafts can be reconciled
before bringing the consolidated draft to Maliki.)


9. (C) During a discussion on cabinet changes, everyone in
attendance agreed there was not a realistic alternative to
Maliki as Prime Minister, but Maliki wants Sunni Deputy Prime
Minister Zubai replaced. They suggested holding weekly
meetings between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime
Ministers to streamline decision-making.

--------------
Talabani Agrees to Delay Iran Trip
--------------


10. (C) At the Ambassador's urging, Talabani said he had
decided to postpone today's scheduled trip to Iran; he
currently plans to leave on November 28. Hashimi told the
Ambassador on November 24 that he had been invited by the
King of Jordan to meet prior to the upcoming November 29-30
visit to Jordan by President Bush, but he offered to push
back his November 26 departure date until Talabani leaves for
Iran. Talabani said Vice President Adil al-Mahdi will return
from Tehran tonight.
KHALILZAD