IRAQ,S KURDISH, SUNNI, SHIITE LEADERS PLEDGE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004373

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ,S KURDISH, SUNNI, SHIITE LEADERS PLEDGE
UNITY, FORM WORKING GROUP

REF: BAGHDAD 04361

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


1. (S) Summary: At a November 26 meeting, SCIRI chairman and
Shi'a coalition leader Abdulaziz al-Hakim and Vice President
Tariq al-Hashimi (IIP/Sunni) continued discussions started
November 25 (reftel). President Talabani (PUK),Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) President Masud Barzani (KDP),
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih (PUK),Vice President Adil
Abdul Mahdi (SCIRI),and the Ambassador also attended. The
group identified Iraq's major problems, discussed the causes
of the government's current crisis and pledged cooperation.
The Kurdish and Shi'a representatives assured al-Hashimi that
they want a strong Sunni partner. The attendees formed a
working group which will meet together to coordinate
solutions to Iraq's most pressing issues. End Summary.

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MAIN PROBLEMS: GOI PERFORMANCE, RECONCILIATION AND SECURITY
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2. (S) SCIRI chairman and Shi'a coalition leader Abdualziz
al-Hakim began the meeting commenting that moderate forces
need better coordination as they work to strengthen unity and
prioritize Iraq's problems. As the meeting progressed, the
participants identified the government's unsatisfactory
performance, national reconciliation, and Baghdad security as
the most pressing issues. Al-Hashimi noted that the
Saddamists and the Baathists are not solely responsible for
Iraq's problems and they should not be blamed for everything
that goes wrong.


3. (S) Evaluating the GOI's overall performance and
commenting specifically on the Prime Minister, Talabani said
that while he believes the PM should stay in power, he "needs
to change his conduct" and the government "has to change."
There is a problem with the Council of Ministers and how the
PM handles them, he noted. Al-Hakim commented that the PM
"does not listen," and does not share his ideas. Al-Hashimi
agreed, saying that decisions are currently made without
consulting all political leaders. Hashimi added that the PM
developed strategies and asked people to accept and implement
them without explaining the background. There needs to be
better coordination among the decision-makers, al-Hashimi
emphasized. Deputy Prime Minister Salih stated that the PM
needs support but he also needs to "activate government
participation" by including all groups in the process.


4. (S) Al-Hashimi commented that the national reconciliation
program desperately needs to be revived. Praising Maliki's
24 point plan, he said that this "great document" has not
been sufficiently implemented. He cited the postponed
political parties conference as an example, noting that he
had seen it as an important opportunity to bring people
together. The meeting participants unanimously agreed
Baghdad security needs to be addressed immediately.
Al-Hashimi cited the current Baghdad Security Plan as an
example of poor coordination among political decision-makers
and commented that if the Sunnis were treated as partners and
allowed to "shoulder some of the responsibility" they could
help devise a better strategy.

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STEPS FORWARD: IMPROVED COORDINATION, UNITY AND CONFIDENCE
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5. (S) DPM Salih commented that wise decision-making has been
impeded "due to lack of proper political coordination."
Observing that unity is required between political leaders
making key decisions, KRG President Barzani stated that GOI
officials "cannot be with the government and against the
government at the same time." While there are legal ways to
oppose the administration, he said, forces within the
political process should not be working to undermine the GOI.


6. (S) Barzani noted that political leaders need to have
confidence in their abilities to make decision and effect
change, while the Iraqi people need to have confidence that
the GOI will respond to their needs. Al-Hashimi reiterated
previous statements that IIP specifically and Sunnis in
general "do not feel like partners." It is not possible for
me to respond to my constituents' needs or build their
confidence in IIP's abilities, he continued, because we have
no role in decision-making.

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EMPOWERING THE SUNNIS, INCREASING COOPERATION
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7. (S) Noting that having SCIRI and IIP sitting together "is
a great development," Talabani pledged support to al-Hashimi.
Talabani commented that while all political groups face
challenges in dealing with their constituencies, al-Hashimi's
situation is particularly complex. It is in our interest,
Talabani continued, to have a strong Sunni leader empowered
by his people. We want the Sunnis to be a partner in both
obligations and rights, Talabani concluded, and "we have a
responsibility to help them."


8. (S) Al-Hakim stated that "SCIRI wants to work together
with the good components of all the political blocs."
Al-Hashimi noted his good working relationship with President
Talabani and Vice President Abdul Mahdi (SCIRI) and welcomed
working "as a team" with other like-minded political leaders.
Salih noted that the meetings November 25 and 26 demonstrate
"moderates from any party can work together."

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FORMING A NEW POLITICAL CORE WORKING GROUP
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9. (S) Identifying four things which need to be done to
improve the current situation - support government
institutions, support the Iraqi constitution, fight
terrorists, and fight militias - Salih suggested the
meeting's participants, as the center of the country's
political leadership, continue to meet. Talabani and
al-Hashimi agreed that a small, core working group should
meet regularly. Al-Hakim suggested that President Talabani,
along with his two Vice Presidents, should organize "the
points and mechanisms" identified by the group and then
schedule a follow-up meeting. Suggestions could then be
presented to the PM and the full Political Council for
National Security (PCNS).

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COMMENT
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10. (S) This meeting was a net positive: Kurdish, SCIRI, and
IIP leadership discussed together their frustrations,
opinions and ways forward. Its real success will be defined
by whether future meetings between this small group of
political elites result in sufficient support to stem
violence, increase government effectiveness and further
reconciliation. Creating this working group may help address
some of al-Hashimi's complaints that he is isolated and
marginalized. The group's major challenge will be working in
partnership with the Prime Minster and the other political
groups not represented. The Ambassador is hosting a meeting
of the Kurds, SCIRI, and the IIP leadership with the Prime
Minister on the 27th.
KHALILZAD