SRSG QAZI'S VIEWS ON PRTS, JAPANESE ASSISTANCE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000567 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016 TAGS: PGOV PNAT KDEM PREL IZ JA SUBJECT: SRSG QAZI'S VIEWS ON PRTS, JAPANESE ASSISTANCE ON AIR TRANSPORT NEEDS Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: At a February 19 meeting with the Ambassador, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi asked for the U.S. view on Iraqi constitutional revision and expressed a positive view of UN participation in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs),hinting that a UN-PRT liaison could provide political cover for other countries to contribute. The meeting concluded with an update from Deputy SRSG De Mistura on Japanese views on withdrawing from Iraqi and UN efforts to obtain Japanese airlift support for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). De Mistura opined that a U.S. nudge to Japan would seal the deal. END SUMMARY. -------------- CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM -------------- ¶2. (C) At a February 19 meeting, also attended by DSRSG De Mistura, SRSG Qazi asked for Ambassador's views on constitutional review. Ambassador replied that constitutional review would be a distraction and a divisive issue that is better left off the agenda for now. Qazi asked if the UIC 555 would accept such a decision and pressed for U.S. views on when the review process should get started. Ambassador reiterated that it is best not to mix constitutional review with government formation and reiterated U.S. opposition to early engagement on the issue. -------------- POSITIVE VIEW ON PRT PARTICIPATION -------------- ¶3. (C) Qazi shared that he favors a UN liaison element in the PRTs. As long as the UN is not seen as being too tightly wedded to the PRTs, he explained, the UN could bring a significant "dowry" to the table. This "dowry" would take the form of possible support or engagement from nations officially opposed to U.S. involvement in Iraq but which might be willing to contribute to a UN effort through the PRTs. Qazi specifically mentioned France and Germany as countries that the UN might be able to engage for PRT support. -------------- -------------- JAPANESE WITHDRAWAL AND A REQUEST FOR A U.S. NUDGE -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Noting that he was recently in Japan, DSRSG de Mistura said that the Japanese are planning to wind down operations in Iraq, but they are very concerned about the fate of projects they have started and the legacy and reputation they would leave behind. In the event of a withdrawal, De Mistura asserted, the UN could quietly pick up the management of some of the projects Japan has started. He elaborated by saying that if this were kept low-key, it could be done through the use of some 800 permanent Iraqi employees the UN has in country. De Mistura added that the UN also is urging Japan to remain engaged and possibly widen its efforts across the country. One specific example he said that he offered the Japanese for consideration is the development and printing of school textbooks to be distributed throughout the country. ¶5. (C) With regard to ongoing talks with the GOJ on providing UNAMI air transport support, de Mistura said that he feels the Japanese are leaning towards an agreement but need a little push from the U.S. He said that Japanese concerns over their legacy and reputation in Iraq could move them toward agreement on the issue. Providing air support to the UN, de Mistura continued, could be sold as a change of mission for Japan, allowing it to withdraw on the ground while still playing an important international role in Iraq. The Japanese Air Force is likely to accept this as they already are familiar with the operational environment in Iraq and could base their main operations in Kuwait. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) COMMENT: From previous working level discussions with Emboffs, it has been clear that UNAMI sees constitutional reform as a high priority to be addressed sooner rather then later. We may need to continue to curb UNAMI's enthusiasm to move forward on this process before the Iraqis are ready. Qazi's positive comments on PRT participation are a welcome signal of support; however, we are less sanguine about the introduction of other national groups at this time. END COMMENT. BAGHDAD 00000567 002 OF 002 KHALILZAD