ALLAWI RECOMMENDS POSTPONEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000072

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2016
TAGS: PGOV PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: ALLAWI RECOMMENDS POSTPONEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL
REVIEW TO PRESERVE NATIONAL UNITY

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) In their January 8 meeting, Ayad Allawi told the
Ambassador that Iraqi President Talabani believes that a
national unity government is a must, but Dr. Allawi added
that this must be a national unity government in reality, not
just cosmetically. He also highlighted the importance of
balance. (COMMENT: A not-so-veiled reference to the Sunni
Arab/Allawi group idea of equal ministry distribution instead
of giving weight to electoral results in the ministerial
distribution. END COMMENT.) Dr. Allawi told the Ambassador
that he will be meeting with President Talabani and KRG
President Masoud Barzani after Id al-Adha. He said the Kurds
could play a central role in these government formation
negotiations, but they need to consider themselves Iraqis
before they consider themselves Kurds.


2. (C) Dr. Allawi said the new government should not discuss
"divisive issues", but should focus instead on unifying
issues like security to stabilize Iraq and economic recovery
(improving essential services). He specifically cited the
constitutional review and federalism as examples of divisive
issues, saying these will "add fuel to the fire." Dr. Allawi
told the Ambassador that, if such issues are considered now,
there will be serious problems and a potential for a
political backfire, particularly given the upcoming
provincial elections. Dr. Allawi suggested that these
discussions will be easier if the security situation
stabilizes and the economy grows; he recommended a delay of
one to two years. The Ambassador said this program is worth
studying and examining whether all sides could agree to
postpone the constitutional review and the establishment of
new federal regions. (COMMENT: The Sunni Arab blocs have
been vocal in their demands for constitutional amendments; so
any serious discussion of a delay would have to include a
postponement of establishing new federal entities. END
COMMENT.)


3. (C) Dr. Allawi said he told UK Foreign Secretary Jack
Straw that decision-making needs to be clear in the new
government. The Ambassador suggested that government
functions be divided by key sectoral areas: security,
finance/economy, and services. By doing this, each sector
will have multi-sectarian participation (managed by a Deputy
Prime Minister or Deputy President). Dr. Allawi said this
concept could help cement national unity.
KHALILZAD