AMBASSADOR'S DECEMBER 3 MEETING WITH TURKISH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004473 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S DECEMBER 3 MEETING WITH TURKISH AMBASSADOR REF: ANKARA 6524 (EXDIS) (U) Classified by Ambassador Khalilzad, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a December 3 meeting with the Ambassador, outgoing Turkish Ambassador Cevikoz relayed the GOT's contacts with Sunni Hewar party leader Mutlaq (reftel). The Ambassador told Cevikoz the U.S. opposes any extra-constitutional effort to change the GOI and suggested the GOT urge Mutlaq to play a more positive role. Cevikoz said de-Ba'athification had been hard on Iraqi Sunnis; the Ambassador agreed de-Ba'athification has gone too far but said that Sunnis have failed to take action to help themselves. Cevikoz confirmed the GOT will fund training for Iraqi police. The Ambassador said the timing is not right for a regional conference on Iraq, and any such proposal should come from the GOI. End Summary. U.S. and Turkish Meetings with PM Maliki -------------- ¶2. (C) Cevikoz told the Ambassador PM Maliki's November trip to Turkey had been useful and fruitful, encompassing all the important bilateral issues. Cevikoz said the trip's had achieved its primary purpose: to demonstrate Turkish support for the GOI. The Ambassador gave Cevikoz a readout of the PM's November 30 meeting in Amman with President Bush, and of the progress of a small group of Iraqi leaders who are forming a moderate front. However, the Ambassador added, violence is impeding political progress. ¶3. (C) Cevikoz agreed violence is too high and predicted that 2007 would not be easy, particularly if "some forces" try to push a referendum on Kirkuk. In his meeting with PM Maliki, PM Erdogan tried to persuade him to resolve Kirkuk "by consensus." Cevikoz also said PM Maliki needs to show Sunnis he is not sectarian. He noted that Sunni VP Hashimi is seeking to enhance the "Sunni presence" in the GOI. Turkey and Iraq's Sunnis -------------- ¶4. (C) Cevikoz said that hard line Sunni Hewar party leader Saleh Mutlaq has been in touch with the GOI; Mutlaq claimed to have support from five blocs in Iraq's Council of Representatives (CoR),including Iyad Allawi's Iraqiyya bloc. The Ambassador asked what Mutlaq's aim appeared to be; Cevikoz said Mutlaq claims he is trying to form a "national front" bloc, ostensibly to enhance and stabilize the GOI. The Ambassador told Cevikoz the USG opposes any GOI changes outside the framework of Iraq's Constitution and elected CoR. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador noted that Mutlaq had been working with hard line Sunni cleric Harith al-Dari, head of the Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS) and with CoR followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. In the wake of a recent GOI warrant against him, al-Dari's statements had become more radical, including a call for governments to withdraw recognition of the GOI. Mutlaq had failed to agree to the original 33-point unity government plan, partly out of pique at not receiving a high GOI position. The Ambassador suggested that the GOT urge Mutlaq to play a more positive role. ¶6. (C) Cevikoz noted that de-Ba'athification has been "disturbing" for Iraq's Sunnis; GOI flexibility on de-Ba'athification could ease Mutlaq's position and help control Sunni violence. The Ambassador agreed de-Ba'athification has gone too far and said the process should be changed to a judicial process for those who committed crimes. However, Iraq's Sunni political leaders are failing to take action on the issue; they should focus their efforts on working the CoR's legislative process. Police Training; Regional Conference -------------- ¶7. (C) Cevikoz noted that Turkey is prepared to train Iraqi police and to pay the costs. The Ambassador noted that President Talabani had been uncertain about who would fund the training (septel); Cevikoz confirmed the GOT will pay for training in Turkey. ¶8. (C) Cevikoz asked the Ambassador's opinion about a regional conference on Iraq. The Ambassador said the timing is not good now, given Iraq's internal situation. Iraq should first deal bilaterally with its neighbors, and any proposal for a regional conference on Iraq should come from the GOI. BAGHDAD 00004473 002 OF 002 Khalilzad