Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD564
2006-02-22 19:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
TNA SPEAKER URGES QUICK GOVERNMENT FORMATION
how-toVZCZCXRO5594 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHGB #0564 0531945 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221945Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2853 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000564
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TNA SPEAKER URGES QUICK GOVERNMENT FORMATION
Classified By: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000564
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TNA SPEAKER URGES QUICK GOVERNMENT FORMATION
Classified By: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) The Ambassador and MNF-I Commanding General (CG) Casey
met February 20 with Transitional National Assembly (TNA)
Speaker Dr. Hajim al-Hasani. Dr. Hasani described Ibrahim
Jafari's PM nomination as an "Iranian trick" and predicted
that Jafari will be the PM "whether we like it or not." The
Shia Alliance, he added, will stay together, and it will not
be possible to lure any members out. He asserted that there
are only three ways to mitigate a Jafari prime ministership:
-- Allow Jafari to become PM, create a crisis one or two
months later, and then vote out the government;
-- Create the National Security Council;
-- Allow Jafari to become PM but with a formalized agreement
on how the government will run, to include two strong Deputy
Prime Ministers.
2. (C) Dr. Hasani said that government formation should
accelerate now and that President Talabani should call the
Council of Representatives to start the clock on government
formation deadlines. In order to get around the problem of
having to know the CoR leadership as part of the package of
ministers, he added, the Council should elect people who are
almost assuredly going to be ministers (and therefore will
resign as Deputy Speaker/Speaker).
3. (C) Dr. Hasani also urged a greater role for the UN,
adding that it is not good for the U.S. to play the major
role in the government formation negotiations. He said that
he had met with UN Special Representative of the
Secretary-General (SRSG) Qazi, who reportedly told Dr. Hasani
SIPDIS
that he (Qazi) has to stay neutral and will not be more
involved if not asked.
4. (C) When asked what position he hoped for in the new
government, Dr. Hasani answered with Minister of Defense or
Deputy Prime Minister. He said he prefers Minister of
Defense if there is a solid program, adding that "democracy
will not survive without a military to protect it."
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TNA SPEAKER URGES QUICK GOVERNMENT FORMATION
Classified By: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) The Ambassador and MNF-I Commanding General (CG) Casey
met February 20 with Transitional National Assembly (TNA)
Speaker Dr. Hajim al-Hasani. Dr. Hasani described Ibrahim
Jafari's PM nomination as an "Iranian trick" and predicted
that Jafari will be the PM "whether we like it or not." The
Shia Alliance, he added, will stay together, and it will not
be possible to lure any members out. He asserted that there
are only three ways to mitigate a Jafari prime ministership:
-- Allow Jafari to become PM, create a crisis one or two
months later, and then vote out the government;
-- Create the National Security Council;
-- Allow Jafari to become PM but with a formalized agreement
on how the government will run, to include two strong Deputy
Prime Ministers.
2. (C) Dr. Hasani said that government formation should
accelerate now and that President Talabani should call the
Council of Representatives to start the clock on government
formation deadlines. In order to get around the problem of
having to know the CoR leadership as part of the package of
ministers, he added, the Council should elect people who are
almost assuredly going to be ministers (and therefore will
resign as Deputy Speaker/Speaker).
3. (C) Dr. Hasani also urged a greater role for the UN,
adding that it is not good for the U.S. to play the major
role in the government formation negotiations. He said that
he had met with UN Special Representative of the
Secretary-General (SRSG) Qazi, who reportedly told Dr. Hasani
SIPDIS
that he (Qazi) has to stay neutral and will not be more
involved if not asked.
4. (C) When asked what position he hoped for in the new
government, Dr. Hasani answered with Minister of Defense or
Deputy Prime Minister. He said he prefers Minister of
Defense if there is a solid program, adding that "democracy
will not survive without a military to protect it."
KHALILZAD