Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD567
2006-02-22 20:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

SRSG QAZI'S VIEWS ON PRTS, JAPANESE ASSISTANCE ON

Tags:  PGOV PNAT KDEM PREL IZ JA 
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DE RUEHGB #0567/01 0532020
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 222020Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2859
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0466
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).

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